Your Stories

Daniel Smith - remember the name.

The six-year-old actor, from Marehay near Ripley, has already established himself as one of the most sought-after young thespians in the country.

Daniel's television credits include Lark Rise to Candleford, Florence Nightingale, Mistresses, Doctors and the forthcoming Tess of the D'urbervilles.

Mum Sarah enjoys being his chaperone

Mum Sarah and dad Nicholas escort him to shoots up and down the country and when he's not acting in television productions, he's busy learning theatre and dance at Ripley Academy.

His teachers there say he's a highly imaginative and expressive child and his parents say they were keen to help his talent flourish and encourage him with any acting breaks that came his way.

Sarah explained: "In this day and age, it's hard enough out there anyway so if you spot they've got a spark and you can give them opportunities then you've got to let them carry it forth.

"He's loved doing music and dance since he was tiny. He started doing street dance at Ripley when he was four, then went on to drama when he was five and that's when he started getting parts so it's all escalated from there."

He's now working hard on getting some London Academy of Music and Dramatic Art (LAMDA) qualifications under his belt and says he wants to become a famous actor when he's older because "they get lots of money!"

You can listen to Daniel and Sarah chatting to BBC Radio Derby's Aleena Naylor using the audio link above.