University A Lucky Break For Dr Who - graduate jobs

It was a lucky break at the University of East Anglia that led to Matt Smith landing the once-in-a-lifetime role of TV time-lord Doctor Who.

He had been halfway through completing a degree in drama and creative writing when he was cast in the play Fresh Kills at the Royal Court Theatre.

And that only came about after a back injury put paid to dreams of becoming a professional footballer while playing for Leicester City under 15s and 16s.

After a spell at the National Youth Theatre he "sort of fell into acting" and appeared in Alan Bennett's acclaimed play The History Boys at the National Theatre in London.

His television debut was in the BBC's adaptations of Phillip Pullman's period detective stories, The Ruby in the Smoke and The Shadow in the North, starring alongside Doctor Who actress Billie Piper.

That led to the lead role of Danny in the BBC Two series Party Animals, a drama set in the world of ambitious young political hacks.

He recently completed work on Moses Jones for BBC2, a thriller in which he plays the lead role of Dan Twentyman, alongside Shaun Parkes in the title role.