Laila Zaidi, a graduate from the prestigious Arts Educational School in London, got her start playing Maria in Kilworth House’s critically acclaimed production of West Side Story.

Described as having an 'extraordinary range' by The Stage, the Newcastle born actress went on to feature in the workshop performance of Lord Andrew Lloyd Webber's musical Starlight Express at The Other Palace, before making her West End debut earlier this year in the folk musical adaptation of The Selfish Giant, as part of the Vaudeville Theatre’s Oscar Wilde season. Swapping the stage for screen, the 24 year old recently secured her biggest role to date, playing Cyd in the tenth series of ITV’s British sitcom Benidorm.