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Deaf actor is huge talent, says Adrian Scarborough

Louise Parry
BBC News, Buckinghamshire
Justin Dealey
BBC News, Hertfordshire
Acorn TV/Expectation TV/BBC Jude, acting as Jake, stands on a beach with a group of detectives and police. Adrian Scarborough, acting as DI Max Arnold, holds a red velvet bag in his hand and looks at a small bag with a coin being held by his female colleague. She wears a long blue scarf, beige overcoat and red glasses. A man in police uniform looks on. There is a busted tyre hanging overhead.Acorn TV/Expectation TV/BBC
Jude Powell, left, made his TV debut in The Chelsea Detective alongside Adrian Scarborough

Adrian Scarborough has said a deaf actor who appeared alongside him in crime show The Chelsea Detective is "a huge talent" who will "go a long, long way".

Jude Powell from High Wycombe, Buckinghamshire, made his TV debut playing a deaf and non-verbal barman.

Co-star Scarborough is best known for his role in comedy Gavin and Stacey.

Powell, 21, said Scarborough "made me feel very welcome" and added: "It's so wonderful that there are many more opportunities for deaf actors now compared with six or more years ago."

He also paid tribute to deaf actress Rose Ayling-Ellis "for making such a big difference and driving positive change."

Jude Powell Jude stands and looks to one side during a performance or rehearsal. He is smiling and looks like he is in dialogue with someone else. There are office chairs behind him and someone is sitting on one. He wears a grey t-shirt and open blue shirt, and blue slacks. He has thick short brown hair.Jude Powell
Powell was a member of Deafinitely Theatre in London where he took UK Arts awards

Powell's acting journey began at Heathlands School for deaf children in St Albans, where he had the opportunity to perform on screen.

He later joined Deafinitely Theatre in London, which "had a huge impact on my acting career by teaching me to express emotion more physically and clearly."

Acting gave him the chance "to bring a unique layer of expression to the screen and stage through British Sign Language (BSL), which is my first language", he continued.

Acorn TV/Expectation TV/BBC Jude acts as the barman character in The Chelsea Detective. He stands behind the bar of a pub taking payment from a man whose back we can see. Jude is smiling. There is a pint of beer and a glass of white wine on the bar.Acorn TV/Expectation TV/BBC
Powell plays a deaf, non-verbal barman and mudlarker in an episode about a murdered antiques dealer

In the Chelsea Detective episode Myths and Legends, which centres on a stolen coin, Powell plays the role of Jake Green, who works at a pub and also scours the River Thames for treasure as a mudlark.

He said different BSL interpreters and consultants were on set each day, "to ensure that deaf and hearing actors work together smoothly".

"Most of the crew have deaf awareness, and one of the main characters is played by deaf actress Sophie Stone," he said.

"On my first day on set, Adrian spotted me, came over to say hello, and used a bit of sign language, like the sign for 'nice'."

Acorn TV/Expectation TV/BBC A promotional shot of the TV show with Adrian and Vanessa both looking at the camera. Adrian has ginger hair and a beard and moustache, and wears a blue overcoat and checked blue shirt. Vanessa has short thick black hair and wears earrings, and a black coatAcorn TV/Expectation TV/BBC
Adrian Scarborough and Vanessa Emme star in The Chelsea Detective

Scarborough, who comes from Berkhamsted in Hertfordshire, was full of praise for the new actor.

"He really is an extraordinary guy. Just completely brilliant – it was so wonderful to watch him acting.

"We have another deaf actor in the show, Sophie, and it was really wonderful to have moments of them together.

"He writes and makes film too. I think he's a huge talent and will go a long, long way.

"You'll be seeing a lot more of him, for certain."

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