Doctor Who actor Arthur Darvill (centre) was the star of the first seminar held by Birmingham Metropolitan Academy of Performing Arts (BMAPA) in 2012.

Mr Darvill, who has played the character Rory Williams in the last three series of Doctor Who, shared his experiences of working as a voice and stage actor, musician and composer with the students at the Sutton Coldfield Campus.

Paul Garnault, head of BMAPA said: “We were delighted that our students could meet such a popular actor who has accomplished so much and has the potential to become even more established.

“This was the first of many seminars BMAPA will be running this year to bring our students face to face with successful performers from every aspect of the stage and screen.”

Arthur is due to start filming the next series of Doctor Who at the end of this month and can be heard on BBC Radio 4 playing the title role in an adaptation of Gulliver’s Travels.

Vincent Botting, a student at BMAPA, said: “It was great to meet Arthur. Along with talking about his experiences on Doctor Who, he told us useful things about life at drama school and the process of auditioning for parts.

“It was good to know that although he’s achieved lots, his career has had its highs and lows, just like any other actor’s.”