A TALENTED Wirral student is to perform alongside the cast of iconic '80s TV series Fame in a special show for Claire House.

The Fame UK reunion - at the M&S Bank Arena in Liverpool on May 5 and 6 - will feature songs from the hit American series, along with new and original material.

Members of Liverpool-based LMA will be backing the show keeping the vibe young and fresh. Among them is Connor Beardsmore, from Birkenhead, who will join his LMA classmates and eight of the hit show's actors and actresses for the shows.

Original cast members taking part are Erica Gimpel, who played Coco, Valerie Landsburg (Doris), Lee Curreri (Bruno), Carlo Imperato (Danny), P.R. Paul (Montgomery), Cynthia Gibb (Holly), Nia Peeples (Nicole) and Jesse Borrego (Jesse).

It is the first time in 35 years the series' cast has performed together on a UK stage.

Following a series of auditions, in which students competed for a coveted place in the show, judges selected 15 performers from LMA, including former students and mentors.

Connor, 21, who is a third year musical theatre degree student, said: “Having discovered my passion for musical theatre and dancing just a few years ago, I've absolutely loved working on a real mix of shows at LMA, but being chosen to be part of The Fame UK reunion is really special.

"Working with some of the original cast members is great opportunity for us – we can’t wait to get out there and perform now!”

Stephanie Wallace Carr, Creative Director at LMA, will be choreographing the show.

She said: "I'm lucky enough to have worked on some absolutely fantastic projects throughout my career, and it's down to the inspiration Fame gave me – it was such an iconic film and, later, an amazing TV series.

"Having so many of our students involved in the show is incredible and is true testament to their talent and dedication.

"We have four mentors who have been selected, too, making it extra special for them to share in the excitement, while a former student will also be taking on backing vocals. Plus, we’ll be providing a choir, so it’s a real collaborative effort.

"We're now in the throes of rehearsals and making sure we’re as slick as possible, so I’m confident it’s going to be a fantastic show!"

The cast is brought together by a small team of volunteers, producing the show in aid of the Claire House Children’s Hospice.

The Fame television series ran from 1982 to 1987, with several cast members forming The Kids from Fame group.

Their self-titled album spent a total of 12 weeks at the top of the UK charts in the summer of 1982 and spawned two hit singles, Hi Fidelity and Starmaker.

Now, audiences will get the chance to take a trip down memory lane, with specialist college and university centre LMA helping to add a modern twist.

Among those taking part are tutors Elizabeth Carney, Richard Leeson and Charlotte Croft, who will join former student Sophie Fraser as backing vocalists, while mentor Lucy Gill will join the dancers as assistant choreographer.

Dancers from LMA are: Sinead Ahrend, Nicole Bowden, Joel Cornwall, Rhea Crosbie, Jade Fazakerley, Tina Hawley, Jessica Jones, Antonia Livingstone, Paige Moon, Charlie Peacock, Poppy Smith, Beth Rushby and Josie Taplin.

The show's producer Sue Hinds said: "The two shows in Liverpool are already shaping up to be pretty spectacular.

"It's a chance for fans of the original series to enjoy some nostalgia, while also introducing a brand new generation to the magic of Fame.

"We were so impressed by the level of talent and passion of the LMA students and we have absolutely no doubt that they’ll fit seamlessly in to the show.”

Hannah Shannon, head of communications for Claire House, told the Globe recently "It's fantastic and really exciting that the stars of 'Fame' are getting back together for us.

"The show's producer Sue Hinds and Valerie Landsburg, who played Doris, came visited Claire House last year and we're really impressed by what they saw."

Tickets are from the M&S Bank Arena website: https://www.mandsbankarena.com/whats-on/fame-uk-reunion/ or www.fameukreunion.co.uk