A SCREENWRITER from Lampeter who has written 29 episodes of popular TV soap Hollyoaks has recalled her ultimately successful attempts to break into the world of television despite hailing from a rural area.

Having completed a degree in journalism, film and media at Cardiff University, Roanne Bardsley then did a Masters in Screenwriting at Royal Holloway University of London.

“I got my first job in television via a Creative Skillset Apprenticeship, which involved a work placement with a Welsh language production company in Cardiff called Ceidiog,” she told the Cambrian News.

“Once I had a year’s worth of paid work experience in television on my CV, doors started opening, and I did a few low-level production jobs – I was a runner for Big Brother auditions and production secretary on the third series of The Great British Bake Off.

“My break into drama came when I landed a job as storyliner on Hollyoaks. I was a storyliner for several years, but eventually progressed onto the scriptwriting team. I’ve been commissioned to write 29 episodes of Hollyoaks to date.”

Roanne, 28 - a former pupil of Ysgol Ffynnonbedr and Lampeter Comprehensive schools whose parents still live in Lampeter - was helped by The Edinburgh International Television Festival’s Talent Schemes programmes.

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