The Apprentice star Reece Donnelly returns to the University of Sunderland to inspire students

Reece can currently be seen on our TV screens every Thursday night at 9pm, hoping to be hired rather than fired as he battles it out to become Lord Alan Sugar’s next business partner and secure a £250,000 investment in his business venture.

However, it was treading the boards rather than the boardroom which was Reece’s first passion as in 2017 he graduated from the University of Sunderland with a BA (Hons) in Drama.

His acting prowess saw him appear in the BBC drama Waterloo Road and also voice acting in Nickelodeon. The Glaswegian then went on to establish the Theatre School of Scotland and Theatre College of Scotland in Glasgow, at the time making him the youngest college owner in the UK.

On Wednesday, January 18, Reece returned to the city to check out the Performing Arts facilities at the University’s Priestman Building, where he was treated to a performance by Year 2 and 3 Drama students, which was part of their rehearsals for their upcoming show Spring Awakening.

He then answered students’ questions about his career success and shared tips and advice on how to make it in the performing arts industry.

Reece, 25, said: “The University of Sunderland has been great. It has been so good to be back and see all the magic going on in the University’s Performing Arts discipline.

“Watching the students perform was brilliant. I felt like I had stepped back in time to my time in training. They were great, fantastically talented, and I think you can see just how much the University’s modules and courses are shining through them.”

Reece - who is also the director of children's talent agency, KR Management - made The Sunday Mail Young Scot Awards final in 2018 and he spoke at length about his decision to apply to take part in the Apprentice.

He said: “The reason I went on the show is to change any stigma that performing arts isn’t a career, performing arts isn’t a business and performing arts isn’t a career you can have longevity in.

“There is proof in the pudding that it’s actually a very, very rewarding career.

“It’s rewarding in the benefits you receive financially, and, on top of that, it’s a job that you love. If you’re lucky enough to find a job in the performing arts, then I firmly believe you’re not working, you’re just going out there and enjoying yourself every day.”

SEE ALSO: Former Sunderland student makes incredible £5m donation to University to help tackle world's most deadly diseases

Following the visit, Dr Adelle Hulsmeier, Senior Lecturer for Performing Arts and Screen Performance, said: “We were really excited to have Reece with us at the University, inspiring the students about what is possible upon graduation.

“We feel very lucky to have Reece visit us and talk to the students about developing business skills, particularly relevant for the industry and when they move into graduation.”

The Apprentice can also been seen on BBC iPlayer.