Can I help you, luvvie?

Last updated at 12:58 03 November 2006


The next time you phone a call centre and are about to lose your temper, be warned - you could be talking to the next Robert de Niro or Al Pacino.

Hundreds of actors are answering the phones at a London call centre while they wait for their big break.

RSVP has been employing them for years to answer queries for firms including United Airlines, BUPA, Barclays and Argos.

As the firm celebrates its 21st year, staff

are still waiting for someone to hit the big

time although some have taken roles including the Fat Controller in a Thomas the Tank Engine arena tour and Sonia's lesbian lover in EastEnders.

Managing director Mark Abernethy admitted: "No one with any sense wants to work in a call centre, but here we have a waiting list. We encourage staff to go for other jobs because we want to keep their dream alive."

The 250 staff at the Docklands-based company can take days off for auditions and use office faxes and computers to send off their CVs. Employees also use the masses of daily phone calls they take to test out new characters and accents.

The only thing the company asks is that

they put on a proper performance when

they answer the phones.

So where do you recognise them from?

1/Greg Wakeham, 25, from Streatham. Has had parts

in The Bill, Murder City and Murder Rooms. Been at RSVP for two-and-a-half years.

2/Louise Callaghan, 25, from Cornwall. Starred in

The Government's anti-binge drinking advert and with Martin Clunes in The Booze Cruise. Been at RSVP for two years.

3/Aaron Romano, 25, from Lewisham. Currently in La Serva Padrona at Royal Opera House. Been at RSVP for two years.

4/Jamiu Adebiyi, 34, from South Croydon. Has

appeared in ITV drama series Mobile, Time Of Your Life and The Street, opposite Timothy

Spall. At RSVP for five years.

5/Terry Grant, 25, from Lewisham. Advert for

Johnnie Walker and played Christopher Wren in The

Mousetrap. Been at RSVP for two years.

6/Rebecca Jo Hanbury, 23, from Wales. Part in Holby City and is a presenter on attend.tv, the first UK TV station to broadcast live from the

internet. Been at RSVP for two years.

7/Nigel Boyle, 29, from Birmingham. Adverts for

HP Sauce and Harp Lager. Filming movie The Best Years with Pierce Brosnan and Vinnie Jones next year. Been at RSVP for nine months.

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