If you ever go Blackpool, UK, you should arrange to stay at the
Aysgarth House hotel on York Street in central Blackpool - with your whole family. It has been run by Richie and Lynn Lloyd for the last twenty years. They've brought up three children in these surroundings - Richard Leonard, 22, Shelby Louise, 8, and Ashley Luke, 14.
Ashley Luke Lloyd was born on the 6th of July, 1991. He has always been a great lover of animals, and when he was younger he wanted to become a dolphin trainer. He loves singing, acting, swimming, cricket, bike riding, and choreography.
Having all the children at home is a rare occasion for the Lloyd family, with Richard training with the Parachute Regiment at Catterick and Ashley being a true stage veteran who is very busy down in London.
Out of all the children involved with
Billy Elliot, Ashley is probably the one with the longest resume. You might have seen him or heard him in a number of different ways.
Let us start out with some commercials and advertising he has done. He did an advert for the
National Lottery as well as a
Kinder Surprise commercial with
Steps that was broadcasted in October 2000. He also did some advertising for
Pontins (December 2000) and
Merseyside Partnership (2001) among others.
Then we'll go on to his film and television credits. He made
Hollyoaks for MTV Mersey Television, which is currently broadcasted on Channel 4 in England, as well as a voice-over in
Millions (2004), by Danny Boyle with Alun Armstrong, James Nesbitt and Alex Etel.
Let's move on to his theatre credits. In 2000, he did
Abbadabbadoo which ran in September and October at the Blackpool Opera House. In 2001, he began touring with Bill Kenwright's production of Andrew Lloyd Webber's
Whistle Down the Wind playing 'Poor Baby', first shared then fulltime, and he got raving reviews for his part. This he would keep doing until 2004, when he auditioned for the part of Michael. Ashley enjoyed his time with
Whistle Down the Wind very much.
In spring 2003, at the age of 11, he did
Brokenville by Philip Ridley, at the Theatre by the Lake in Keswick, directed by Liz Dale.
He's done other things as well. In 2001 he did the
T&T Young Popstars Competition where he came in third.
Just how did Ashley end up in all of this? Every Saturday, young Ashley used to attend
Scream Theatre School where he is a member of
Scream Management Casting Agency. He goes to
Bispham High School & Arts College in Blackpool, but when he is performing in London, he is tutored at the
Billy Elliot House.
Ashley, who knew how to sing and act, could not tap when the
Billy Elliot auditions came up, but his dance teacher, Ian Meeson, kindly taught him how to do it in a very short time.
One reviewer called him an "exciting revelation" with his touching portrayal of Michael; he is "funny and affecting", and together with James Lomas he dances up a storm.
Scream Management
Updated On: 8/6/05 at 08:49 PM
