Heywood Guide finds fame in ‘Shameless’

Jade Kilduff

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A talented Heywood Guide has landed a career-changing role in Channel 4’sBritish comedy-drama Shameless.

Jade Kilduff, 12, of 14th Heywood Guides, appears in the final series of the award-winning TV show as character Thalia Blanco, whose family are the Gallagher’s new next door neighbours, and says her success is down to her experience in guiding.

When she joined her local Rainbow group aged 5, Jade found the weekly meetings helped build her confidence and she began acting classes two years later.

After progressing through Rainbows and Brownies, she has recently been made a Guide and still values the time she gets to spend with her friends each week.

Jade said: “Without guiding, I wouldn’t have the confidence I do now. Going on camps and staying away from home has really helped me to learn to trust other people. Now nothing scares me, I feel like I can do anything.”

The young star has had roles in ITV’s The Funniest Things series alongside presenter Stephen Mulhern, and has featured in a number of advertisements.

Despite her busy schedule, Jade also has a passion for dancing and even performed on BBC’s ‘Tonight’s The Night’ with John Barrowman and British girl band, The Saturdays in 2009.

Jade’s mother and Brownie Leader, Diana Kilduff, said: “Guiding has been so good for her socially as it was the first thing she did outside of school. She’s experienced lots of things for the first time in guiding and I feel it’s been such a confidence builder for her.”

Now in its final series, ‘Shameless’ is renowned for its controversial content but Jade and her family know that nothing unsuitable would ever happen.

Diana commented: “She’s well protected when filming and isn’t allowed to witness any inappropriate scenes.

"Jade made her first appearance in episode 4 and just this fortnight she’s had auditions.”

While she’s enjoying her time on ‘Shameless’, the aspiring actress is excited about the opportunities it will bring for the future.

Jade said: “My dream is to have a part on Coronation Street or Emmerdale. I’ll just keep my fingers crossed and hope I get a call one day.”