TOM Glynn-Carney may have starred in one of the biggest films of the year — but many remember him as a star in the making on Bolton’s celebrated amateur dramatic scene and the school stage.

The former Canon Slade pupil is among the all star cast in Christopher Nolan’s Dunkirk, which this week crossed the £500 million mark at the worldwide box office. The 22-year-old plays Peter in the war film, the son of the captain of a civil boat which sailed to rescue British soldiers from the surrounded city Dunkirk. He features alongside big names including Tom Hardy, Cillian Murphy and Kenneth Branagh.

He started building his career by joining Bolton’s celebrated amateur dramatics scene — where Sir Ian McKellen also cut his teeth — and as a student at Canon Slade.

Jude Rigby, drama teacher at the school in Bradshaw, said: “We as a department are extremely proud of his success. He was always a very hard working and talented young man who was dedicated to the arts. From an early age he demonstrated a very professional approach to the performing arts. Tom’s ability was evident from Year Seven both in drama and dance. He played Gavroche in our production of Les Miserables followed by playing Billy Elliot in the stage play. This performance was chosen to be performed in London as part of the Billy Elliot Youth West End Gala.Tom was a hard-working, likeable and enthusiastic student.”

Dunkirk shot to the top of the box office in July. It went on to be one of the biggest hits of the summer season. It is also one of the year’s most critically acclaimed films.

Ms Rigby said: “I was spellbound; it was an emotional performance and I felt that he captured the role beautifully. I was impressed with the maturity of his performance whilst working with such well-established actors.

“Tom is a consummate professional whose talent, hard work and likeable personality would endear him to most casting agents and directors. He is a determined young man and I am not surprised that he has gained these roles which have enabled him to work alongside such well-established actors.”

Paul Cohen, co-founder and chairman of CATS Youth Theatre, said: “Tom joined CATS at the age of eight or nine, when we were at Theatre Church before moving on to the seniors

“You could see he wanted to act at the age, and he had that confidence and maturity. That showed really early on in how he would develop and adapt characters during improvisation

He played a number of leading roles in big productions including playing Gavroche in Les Miserables and the bus driver in Our Day Out.

“Both Louise and I are so proud of him to see him achieving his acting dream,” said Mr Cohen, who has seen a number of young people go on to become professional, including his cousin.

Sue Kroll, President of Worldwide Marketing and Distribution, Warner Bros. Pictures said: “Christopher Nolan has proven why he is regarded as one of the greatest filmmakers of our time. His Dunkirk is an absolute tour de force — a harrowing, emotional and sweeping movie going experience that pushes the boundaries of mainstream studio filmmaking.”