Tamzin Khan wins Luke Westlake Scholarship 2023

Tamzin Khan has won the Luke Westlake Scholarship for working-class, early-career creatives.

The Bristol-based actor was named winner at an awards ceremony held at the Lyric Hammersmith Theatre on December 11.

Khan, who is currently enrolled at Bristol Old Vic Theatre School, was selected from a shortlist of eight finalists, whittled down from more than 150 applications across the UK.

Following their graduation from drama school, all eight finalists will be invited to apply for BAFTA’s Prince William Bursary, in partnership with charity Just Add Milk.

As well as receiving more than £6,000 in financial and developmental support, Khan wins a one-year Spotlight membership, a one-year subscription to The Stage, and a series of networking lunches with industry professionals including Becky Paris, head of casting at Shakespeare’s Globe.

The Luke Westlake Scholarship, which launched in 2019, will also enrol Khan on a True Edge stage combat course and provide her with a full headshot package with photographer Andy Brown and £100 of Nick Hern Books vouchers.

Khan, who was selected to join the National Youth Theatre at 15, said the scholarship was "undeniably a life-changing opportunity for aspiring working-class actors", while JAM executive director Liam McLaughlin said Khan symbolised "everything" the award represents.

He said: "This is our fifth year of hosting the scholarship and our biggest yet. Tamzin’s application and shortlist self-tapes were unanimously lauded by the panel – she’s an incredible talent. We’re excited to watch Tamzin’s talent grow in her final 18 months at Bristol Old Vic Theatre School and we can’t wait to watch her flourish when she enters the industry in the summer of 2025.

"Tamzin represents everything the scholarship stands for, so we’re delighted to support another brilliant working-class actor."

Established by JAM to provide developmental support to actors in their final years of training, the prize has previously supported actors including Ayomide Adegun, who can currently be seen in the Hunger Games prequel The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes.

This year, the judging panel featured Hollyoaks director Leon Lopez, actor Varada Sethu, Industry Minds’ representatives Mary Burch and Scarlett Maltman, casting associate Faye Timby, Westlake’s parents Bridgette and Lee Westlake, and JAM’s McLaughlin and Kristian Wall.