MEET Tom Lowry, the 28-year-old former St Helens drama student whose talent and determination has led to him working on some of television’s biggest shows.

Tom, from Sutton Manor, is hoping to inspire young people to think about working in creative fields by sharing his story.

He went from drama student at Sutton High to travelling the world shooting series for the likes of ITV, BBC and the Discovery Channel.

The director and producer’s credits include hits such as I’m a Celebrity Get Me Out of Here, Ant and Dec’s Saturday Night Takeaway and Judge Rinder.

Speaking to the Star, Tom explained his rise to the top: “It all started really when I was studying at Liverpool John Moores University and I did a module in TV Production and just fell in love with it.

St Helens Star:

"I decided that’s what I wanted to do but just didn’t know how to get into it. But by chance someone my dad knew worked at ITV and I got a job as a runner – essentially just making the tea.

“I worked on Jeremy Kyle and slowly worked my way up to junior researcher. I got to work on Judge Rinder where I eventually became assistant producer and we won a Royal Television Society Award in 2015.”

Many people would have been elated to get to this stage, but Tom risked it all for his dream job, a chance he credits with getting him to where he is today.

He added: “I’m a big Bear Grylls fan, so when I heard they were filming Bear Grylls Survival School in Wales, even though there was no jobs, I just kept getting in touch with the crew.

“They said ‘no’, but I kept asking and asking and eventually they gave me a job, two or three roles below what I had been working at on Judge Rinder.

“It was a demotion, but I took it. 

“I absolutely loved shooting the programme and from that I got asked to get involved in other things, which eventually led me to other things and travelling the world, a dream loads of people thought I couldn’t get but I kept working for it.”

St Helens Star:

Tom’s other television credits include Jeremy Kyle,  the Tonight programme, Marrying Mum and Dad, Goldrush, Ninja Warrior and Real House Wives of Cheshire.

His work has seen him travel to Dubai, Australia, Alaska, Canada, Spain, Germany. He will soon be moving from his Media City apartment in Salford to Los Angeles for more work. 

Tom added: “I credit St Helens with getting me to where I am today. I’m proud of where I am from.

“I started doing acting at The Citadel and I think more people need to be encouraged to get into creative fields.

“Creative industries, even as hobbies, can be amazing for self confidence and mental health. If I listened to people growing up who said guys can’t get into acting or drama, or doubts that someone like me could do what I’m doing then I wouldn’t have got here.

“To anyone thinking of doing something like this I’d say: ‘don’t be afraid of putting yourself out there’. It’s a big thing for people to take a risk, but sometimes a risk can lead to better things.

“Everyone should work hard to do something they love and reach for your dreams. They are achievable if you don’t give up.”