Oliver Lee was born 14 February 1986 in Manchester.  He attended Whitfield Preparatory School from the age of three and it was here he discovered his love for the theatre and performing ( that’s if you count a rather sweeky recorder duet!)  He went onto Fred Longworth High School aged eleven and this was really where the story began…

Being severely dyslexic he struggled in most areas of school, however with the support from his wonderful drama teachers (especially Mrs Watts!) he found something that he not only loved doing but was actually good at!  He got involved with all the school productions and decided from this early age that acting is what he would do.  School wasn’t enough for him and he wanted to spend more and more of his time ‘learning his trade’and after a work experience opportunity at Bolton Octagon he ‘blagged’ a place as a member of their Youth Theatre, Activ8.   

After a two year Diploma In an Acting course at City College, Manchester, Oliver wanted to take some time out to think through his next steps, so he took a gap year.  He didn’t go off travelling the world but instead went about trying to secure representation from a well regarded theatrical agent… not an easy task.  

After sending off 30 CVs he got 3 auditions and out of the 3 auditions he got 3 offers!  Pemberton Associates Ltd had always expressed an interest in Oliver and had followed him in Youth Theatre productions.   They had been attentive and supportive and above all they had a fabulous reputation!  He has had them as his sole agent ever since.   

Oliver got his break on 14th February 2005 – his 19th birthday.  He started work as a professional actor with Pilot Theatre, working on a collaboration with the Bolton Octagon no less,  in a Northern adaptation of Jonanthan Harvey’s Award Winning Play ‘Beautiful Thing’.  The play was an amazing success and ultimately Oliver won the prestigious MEN Award for ‘Most promising newcomer’ for his portrayal of ‘Jamie’

He is more recently best known for playing gay teenager Josh in the television series Hollyoaks: In the City where he featured in a controversial storyline about a 16 year old school boy in a relationship with his teacher Adam (Philip Olivier).

The link in the real life story is that Executive Producer Tony Wood and Writer Daran Little (both of Lime Pictures) had watched Oliver’s performance in ‘Beautiful Thing’ and created the character of ‘Josh’ especially for him! (hey you never know who’s watching you!) 

Since then he has gained experience in theatre, film, TV and radio (click on to projects for more details).  His short film ‘King Ponce’  was screened at Cannes International Film Festival in May 07 and he is also penning his first ever film script so watch this space….