A TV actor who has been nominated for a National Television Award has praised his home town Barry for helping him in his acting career.

Casualty star Lloyd Everitt has been nominated in the Best Newcomer category at the National Television Awards for his role as Jez Andrews in the BBC hospital drama.

He has previously has roles in shows such as Torchwood and Emmerdale before landing the Casualty role in February of this year.

Mr Everitt has credited his upbringing in Barry as playing a big part in the development of his acting prowess

"I grew up in an area influenced by so many cultures - from break dancing classes, which I'd go to, to rappers and DJs," he said.

"When I was in drama class and we were doing a scene which I believed in - my love for acting grew from here.

"Barry is also a colourful place and has many characters."

The former Gladstone Primary School pupil added: "Living in Barry gave me so much to do.

"Every night I was busy doing things - from taekwondo, football, skateboarding in the Knap Garden and walking in Porthkerry.

"I was never stuck in my bedroom on a computer.

"There were so many different things people could do and learn from. You can learn so much from this town."

Recently, the 29-year-old discovered - whilst in the middle of acting in a scene - that he had been nominated for a National Television Award for best newcomer for his in Casualty.

He said: "It was such a great honour and an absolute privilege because I enjoy playing Jez.

"Jez is a paramedic, whose career didn't go well for him in the beginning because he didn't take the job as seriously as he should have.

"For someone to try their best and aim to be great in their job, to then be recognised with the possibility of getting an award, is fantastic."

The National Television Awards will be broadcast from London's 02 arena on January 25, 2017.

To vote in the awards, visit http://www.nationaltvawards.com/