Blackpool-born Abbie Lasledj is the newest recipient of the Tony Warren Bursary.
She is the first Bursary student to attend Manchester Metropolitan University, 26 years after Warren was made an Honorary Doctor of Letters by the university in recognition of his contribution to ground-breaking television and creative writing.
Lasledj is now studying for her BA (Hons) Acting at the University’s Manchester School of Theatre
“I always had a passion for acting. My earliest memory of performing was the Christmas nativity in primary school; I can remember being the only pupil not being allowed to use the microphone as my voice was ‘too loud’,” she said.
“Receiving this bursary is an incredible honour and a pivotal moment in my journey as a mature acting student. It validates my decision to pursue my passion and encourages me to embrace new challenges.
“The financial support of the bursary is invaluable. It is common knowledge how intense drama school is; as a mature student with financial responsibilities, I was worried about how I would balance work and study. Receiving this award is truly life-changing.”
Gennie Radcliffe, ITV Casting Director added
“It was such a delight to offer Abbie the Tony Warren Bursary Award 2024. During her audition it quickly became evident she has the most wonderful comic timing coupled with the ability to inject real pathos into her characters; she felt instantly very Corrie and I know Tony would definitely approve. I can’t wait to see what impact Manchester Metropolitan University’s training will have on her already incredibly evident talent.”
Abbie Lasledj is the seventh student to receive the Bursary and will graduate from Manchester Metropolitan University in 2027.
A professional actor before he became a writer, Coronation Street creator, Tony Warren, championed local talent and was acutely aware of just how difficult it was for disadvantaged young people to get a step on to the drama school ladder. Shortly before his death in 2016 he discussed his wish for Coronation Street and ITV to establish a bursary that would support local actors from disadvantaged backgrounds into training at drama school.
