FORMER Loughton actor Jimmy Akingbola has been nominated for a prestigious Theatrical Management Association (TMA) Award.

Mr Akingbola, who left Epping Forest College in 1996 with a BTEC national diploma in performing arts, is in the running for best supporting role in a play for his portrayal of Christopher, an unstable mental patient, in Joe Penhall's critically acclaimed Blue/Orange.

Epping Forest College head of performing arts Phil Hall said "I would like to congratulate Jimmy for his nomination. It's always rewarding for staff to hear of our former students' achievements."

Mr Akingbola studied at the Academy of Live and Recorded Arts (ALRA) after Epping Forest College and appeared in small roles on The Bill and children's BBC. He made his prime-time television breakthrough in BBC One sitcom The Crouches two years ago, and his performance in this year's Blue/Orange, directed by actress Kathy Burke, was extremely well received.

Earlier this year Mr Akingbola visited the college to discuss his experiences in the acting industry with current performing arts students.