Bristol's real life Skins
Bristol student Joshua Smith looks every inch like one of the trendy teenage stars of Skins in his white hoody and baseball cap.
And he admits his life mirrors the programme in some respects.
Joshua, aged 16, said: "It is quite a fair depiction – although I do think the storylines about drugs are a bit exaggerated. We aren't as bad as that."
The hit Channel Four drama focuses on a group of Bristol students aged 16-19 who between them experience everything from eating disorders, drugs and stalkers to teenage pregnancy, death and raves.
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Kate Horler, 18, who is studying a BTEC in Musical Theatre with Joshua, agrees the drugs element of the show is not very realistic.
"I mean, where do they get the money from, for a start?" she says, unconvinced. But nevertheless, she watches it religiously and apart from the drugs thinks it is quite close to the life she and her friends live.
"I thought they covered the anorexia story line really well. I have a friend who has an eating disorder, and Skins did it realistically – the girl had a box of food under her bed, just like my friend. I think it helps to address issues like that."
Louisa Vernon, a student on the BTEC in Media Production course, has also seen the drama reflect what happens in her life. "Quite soon after the girl on Skins got pregnant, my friend did too. It was the same situation – I think it helped me to know how I could help her," said the 18-year-old from Southmead.
Two series have already had youngsters – and many adults – hooked, and a third is being filmed at the moment, which is set to hit our screens in 2009.
Scenes were filmed in the corridors and sports hall of Filton College's Wise (West Institution of Specialised Education) Campus this summer, and more are scheduled for October.
Jon Bargh, 18, from Horfield, was an extra in the second series in an episode filmed at The Croft bar in Stokes Croft. He is looking forward to seeing his college on the TV.
"It will be good to say things like 'Those are our toilets'. It'll a bit strange," he said.
Previously, school scenes had been filmed at the John Cabot Academy, and other scenes have shown College Green and the St Paul's club Lakota.
Wise, which opened in 2005, is home to the Bristol Academy of Sport and SWADA (South West Academy of Dramatic Arts), and was where Skins star Mitch Hewer, who played gay dancer Maxxie, studied a BTEC in Musical Theatre from 2005-7.
In the show, Maxxie has a stalker – as does another of the current musical theatre students, 17-year-old Liam Martin from Weston-Super-Mare.
"Skins is definitely quite like my life. I have a stalker, I am always at College Green with my friends, and some of my friends do drugs and go out to Lakota."
Bristol youngsters have had starring roles and been extras in the show, and earlier this year hundreds of youngsters turned up for auditions at the Elbow Room on Park Street.
Joshua filmed an episode for the third series in the summer, where he had scenes with comedian Harry Enfield, who plays the father of two of the teenage characters.
"He kept making me laugh when I was on camera," said Joshua. "When I was being filmed he'd stand where I could just see him and mouth things like 'I Love you' to put me off.
"I think it's great that they film in Bristol. It's good to have something like this outside of London, and also a good opportunity for young actors around here."
Jason Sprigg, 18, from Kingswood, agrees. He was an extra an the first series and wants to pursue a career in acting.
"There is a lot of talent in Bristol, so programmes like this help to give them a chance to get noticed."
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