We are very proud to have Award winning actor of stage and screen Stephen Ashfield as a Patron here at DDTST. Stephen is an Olivier Award winning Scottish actor. He was born in Glasgow, Scotland, and since graduating from the Royal Scottish Academy of Music and Drama and the Royal Academy of Music in London, he has enjoyed a successful stage career.

I was also lucky enough as a child to appear in the West End at the London Palladium for the Christmas Pantomime season of 1971 in “Babes in the Woods”. We moved to Canvey Island when I was eleven where I trained with Karen Jones. I studied in ISTD tap, modern and ballet and continued to participate in Competition. In 2011 he was made an Associate of the Royal Academy of Music. Ashfield made his West End debut in 2002 as Boy George in Taboo, before playing the role of Basilio in the critically acclaimed Music Theatre London adaptation of Mozart's The Marriage of Figaro at the Drill Hall, London.

In 2004, Ashfield returned to the role of Boy George for the first national tour of the award-winning musical Taboo. Subsequently, he appeared in the title role of Harry in the West End showcase of When Harry Met Barry, and created the leading role, George, in The Ha'penny Bridge at The Point, Dublin. He was soon back in the West End as Nick Piazza in Fame, before appearing as John in the brand new musical Tomorrow Morning by Laurence Mark Wythe at London's New End Theatre.

His passion for new musical theatre writing led him to create the role of Adam in Imagine This at the Theatre Royal, Plymouth. Having started in March 2008, Ashfield originated the role of Bob Gaudio in the West End production of Jersey Boys at the Prince Edward Theatre, with his final performance taking place on Sunday 13 March 2011. For his performance he won Best Supporting Actor in a Musical at the WhatsOnStage Theatregoers' Choice Awards 2009.

In March 2011 he made his Cabaret debut at Lauderdale House, Highgate, before taking over the role of Emmett Forrest in the West End production of Legally Blonde until its closure in April 2012. In November and December 2012, Ashfield starred in the limited-run UK premiere of Boy Meets Boy at the Jermyn Street Theatre before taking on the role of Elder McKinley in the Broadway transfer The Book of Mormon, which opened at the Prince of Wales Theatre on 25 February 2013. He was awarded an Olivier Award for his performance.

In 2007 he appeared in Sweeney Todd directed by Tim Burton for Warner Bros.. He has also performed with Jersey Boys on Strictly Come Dancing, GMTV, This Morning, Alan Titchmarsh, The Paul O'Grady Show, Loose Women, Children In Need, and The 80th Royal Variety Performance. In March 2014 he appeared in the season 3 finale of 'Call the Midwife' as Philip Worth.

David Weir, Quadruple Paralympic Champion has an outstanding record on the track. London 2012 has been a fantastic year, winning Gold Medals in the 800m, 1500m, 5000m and the Marathon. This collection is in addition to the medals already won in Beijing, namely two Golds, a Silver and one bronze.

In 2006 he broke two world records on the track and won three World titles in Assen at the World Championships. Following his first ever victory at the New York Marathon in November 2010, David won three Gold medals at the 2011 World Championships in New Zealand. He won a record sixth title at the London Marathon in April 2012, having built a long association with the London Marathon since making his debut in the Mini Marathon at the age of 8 years old.

In 2004, Ashfield returned to the role of Boy George for the first national tour of the award-winning musical Taboo. Subsequently, he appeared in the title role of Harry in the West End showcase of When Harry Met Barry, and created the leading role, George, in The Ha'penny Bridge at The Point, Dublin. He was soon back in the West End as Nick Piazza in Fame, before appearing as John in the brand new musical Tomorrow Morning by Laurence Mark Wythe at London's New End Theatre.

David represented his Borough of Sutton at the London Youth Games after he first took up wheelchair racing at Primary School. He went on to be selected for the Atlanta Paralympic Games in 1996 at the age of 17. He is engaged to his partner Emily and has three children, namely Ronie, 11 years, Mason who is 2 years old and Tillia Grace London Weir who was born on the 7th October 2012. He has been coached by Jenny Archer since 2002 and they train at Kingston athletics track and Richmond Park.

The BBC London has twice recognized Weir. In 2005 Weir was named the BBC London Disabled Athlete of the year. In December 2008 Weir was given the BBC London Disabled Athlete award from a short-list of three. As an adult, Weir continues his affiliation with the Balfour Beatty London Youth Games. In 2010 he was inducted into the London Youth Games Hall of Fame. He became one of the patrons for the 2012 event alongside weightlifter Zoe Smith. The duo took part in an Olympic v Paralympic competition filmed for the London Youth Games' website, going head-to-head in archery, basketball, boccia and table tennis.

David is an avid supporter of children in performing arts and after school programmes. His support and encouragement of these activities is why we are very proud to have David as a patron.