A PERFROMING ARTS superstar has returned to his Bury College roots to inspire students and offer advice about life under the spotlight.

Bury-born Chris Jeffers, 28, is currently dazzling audiences with singer Beverley Knight in The Bodyguard Musical, which is set to cross to Canada. But it all started at Bury College where, after completion of his diploma, Chris progressed onto Midlands Academy of Dance and Drama and the went on to secure a job at Disneyland Paris.

Chris said: “My time at Bury College was brilliant, it was my first step into the performing world and it gave me good foundations to continue my career as a performer.” “I really enjoy my job and all the different opportunities that have been given to me and the fact that I am performing every week to thousands of people.”The former Castlebrook High School pupil regularly returns to the college and recently visited BTEC Level 3 Performing Arts students to teach them a dance routine from The Bodyguard.

This was a fantastic opportunity for students learn from a current industry professional and further develop their dancing techniques.

Chris added: “Todays workshop with the students was an opportunity for me to share my expertise and answer any questions.

“I hope that I am an inspiration to these young people and can show them that they too can achieve.”

Chris, who is a part of the Bury College alumni, boasts an impressive CV of experience which includes many musicals such as Fame, Man in the Mirror, Cinderella, Aladdin, Dick Whittington and Dance Fever.

He has also enjoyed television debuts in The 4 O’clock Club and Grange Hill and has danced at The Brit Awards for Take That at the O2 Arena and has also tried his hand at script writing and modelling and has appeared in high profile campaigns for Puma and Calvin Klein.

Andy Tomlinson, curriculum manager for performing arts at Bury College, said of Chris’s success: “It is always a pleasure to see our talented ex-students come back and demonstrate to current students their expertise, professionalism and passion for their career which Bury College helped launch them along their journey.

“Chris had two days off from his work commitments, the first day he visited his mother and the second day he revisited the performing arts department. That says everything.”