BAFTA Award-winning actor Bill Nighy returns to Liverpool to meet LIPA students

Who didn’t fall in love with his performance as washed-up pop singer, Billy Mack in Love, Actually?

One of the UK’s most popular actors Bill Nighy visited the Liverpool Institute for Performing Arts (LIPA) today to take part in a Q&A session with students.

The actor became a household name after his BAFTA winning performance in Love, Actually and stars in the recently released horror film The Limehouse Golem. In an hour long discussion in the Paul McCartney Auditorium he answered questions from students about the entertainment industry and his career, which spans five decades and includes appearances in some of the biggest film franchises; Harry Potter, Pirates of the Caribbean and Underworld.

LIPA’s Founding Principal and CEO Mark Featherstone-Witty said: “Bill began his professional life at the Everyman, so, given where he is current status, it’s a gift to learn from his journey that began up the road.”

During his time at the The Everyman Theatre, Bill Nighy was part of the legendary ‘class of 74’ along with Julie Walters, Pete Postlethwaite and Jonathan Pryce.

He’s continued to act on stage throughout his career and in 2015 was nominated for a Tony Award for his performance in Skylight on Broadway. As well as his theatre and film work he’s also achieved success on television, picking up a Best Actor BAFTA for State of Play 2004 and a Golden Globe for Gideon’s Daughter in 2007.

The actor’s visit is part of LIPA’s schedule of regularly holding talks and masterclasses with professionals at the top of their respective disciplines. In the past year these have included sessions with actor, writer and director Woody Harrelson, who’s been nominated for two Academy Awards; double Ivor Novello Award winning songwriter and founding member of Squeeze Chris Difford and Olivier and Tony award winning lighting designer Neil Austin, who was part of the creative team behind Harry Potter and the Cursed Child.