His octogenarian nan is his number-one fan despite his roles as the bad guy and, after being nominated for a second theatre award, actor Joe Sims said he had his family to thank for making it all happen.

Mr Sims, 29, from Longwell Green, won the nomination for his role in As We Forgive Them at the Manchester 24:7 Theatre Festival.

It is his second award for the role of Lee Fenton in the play that sees a new American president elected at the time a teacher arrives at a state penitentiary to give lessons to a convicted murderer. Echoes of revenge and redemption unravel as the audience learn the congressman's daughter was the murder victim.

Mr Sims said: "I'm so chuffed to be nominated for this award as it is so highly regarded in theatre circles. These are the Manchester press awards. Bob Hoskins attended last year and he said it was the best awards show he had ever been to."

The 29-year-old who went to Sir Bernard Lovell School, in Oldland Common, said he had always wanted to act and was lucky to have found his calling.

He said: "After I left school, I was told to get off planet Hollywood and find a proper trade but my family always believed in me. I realised the only way I could break into acting was to go to London.

"We're not from an affluent family, but my nan Eileen, mum and dad clubbed together and paid for me to live while I did a course at Middlesex University. From there, I got a scholarship to San Francisco and the financial burden was off, but I owe them all so much."

Mr Sims has had several television roles, including parts in Casualty and more recently a film in Indonesia where he played a Texan killer. He is rehearsing for a London show.

Mr Sims will take his mum to the award on December 8.