WITH a name like Lucien Laviscount, it is inevitable that fame will come knocking on your door.

And for this 16-year-old Will Smith wannabe there is simply no alternative to a life of film premieres, photoshoots and red carpets.

And his dreams of stardom are starting to come true with various roles up his sleeve already the teen is now the star of a brand new global TV series launching on the Disney Channel next week.

DESPITE professing to be a shy person in real life, on screen Lucien Laviscount already looks like a star.

And from next week he will be a household face when Disney Channel launches brand new teen comedy sketch show, Life Bites.

Sixteen-year-old Lucien, from Read, is one of nine young actors to be hand-picked from across the UK in a search to find the best up and coming talent.

Scripts for the show, which starts next Saturday, have been developed by award winning comedy writers including Richard Preddy, who has been involved with hit TV comedy programmes such as Green Wing, and The Fast Show, Lucien said: “There was a lot of competition for the part.

"I don’t want to sound big-headed but Disney said they only wanted the best.

"It has been long hours and hard work, but I have loved it.

"I know it sounds cheesy but we all got on so well.

"The cast was quite small and so you get to know all of them really well, we really did become like a family.”

The youngster, who attends Carol Godby Theatre Workshop in Bury where many other local actors have trained, added: “I have never done comedy before, so it’s been a real change, a very different challenge.

"The scripts and directors have been so good though that it has not been too difficult.”

Lucien’s part comes in the wake of his time at the country’s most famous fictional school, Grange Hill, which came to an end earlier this year when the series was discontinued after 30 years.

Lucien had to go through seven auditions and beat off 100 competitors to land the role of Jake Briggs in the long-running children’s drama.

As he bids for acting stardom, Lucien who has just left Ribblesdale High School, Clitheroe, with 10 GCSEs plans to have a gap year to concentrate on chasing his dream.

Having longed to be an actor since he was two years old, it is Lucien’s ambition to make it big in Hollywood.

He added: “I wouldn’t know what to do if I didn’t do acting.

"I am quite a shy person and, it might sound strange but by doing acting I can be someone else.

“My first work came when I was approached in the street with my parents and asked if I wanted to be a model. It kind of went from there.”

Lucien has previously modelled ex-England captain David Beckham’s DB 07 clothing range, where he met the man himself on several occasions; appeared in an episode of TV drama Clocking Off in 2002, written by Burnley’s Paul Abbot and he starred in the time travel film Johnny and the Bomb, based on the Terry Pratchett book, alongside Zoe Wanamaker.

His latest work, Life Bites brings to life the everyday adventures of a brother and sister and their relationships with their family and friends.

Each episode consists of around five humorous sketches showcasing the different aspects of teenage life, whether it’s trying to win another girl or boy’s attention or even the dilemma of deciding what shoes to buy. Lucien plays best friend Jake.

Jonathan Boseley, Vice President of Programming for Disney Channel UK said: “Developing local content to connect with UK viewers is a key focus for us.

"We’re thrilled to be launching Life Bites and unveiling a new generation of extremely talented stars.

"Its comedy sketches that bring to life everyday family dilemmas are sure to be a hit with UK kids and parents.”

The new series comprises of 16 five minute episodes with each episode comprising of a series of five or more sketches.

During filming Lucien stayed with his grandparents, who live in London, and with two bases at either ends of the country, he hopes to be in with a better chance of securing future work.

Lucien added: “I am doing drama courses over the summer and I am just making sure I am easily available for work whether it is in the north or south.

"I am very lucky in the fact that most people have to make the decision of where to relocate to Manchester or London to have the best chance of success but I can move between the two.

But what about long term. What does Lucien want to do when he grows up?

“My dream would be in a feature film and I would love nothing more than to play a superhero like Hancock by my idol Will Smith.” said Lucien.

“I love what he stands for, he came from nothing and he has achieved so much.

"He is a real one off. I want to be just like him.”