Gareth David-Lloyd

Gareth, who was born in Newport, South Wales, was introduced to the world of acting when he appeared as a robot in a junior school play after his mum and aunt encouraged him to get involved in extra-curricular activities. What started as a hobby soon became a passion. "That's all I wanted to do," he says. His talents didn't go unnoticed. When former Labour leader Neil Kinnock saw the young Gareth perform in Macbeth he sent him £250 to put towards drama school. After studying at the National Youth Theatre the aspiring thesp went on to make various TV appearances, including small parts in Casualty, The Bill and ITV detective series Rosemary & Thyme. But it was his role in Torchwood that would bring him public attention in 2006. The following year Gareth, who met girlfriend Sara Lloyd-Gregory on the set of the popular Dr Who spin-off, enrolled on a part-time course with the Open University to study philosophy during gaps in his Torchwood filming commitments.