Gabriel Thomson received a distinction whilst studying at City and Islington College

Gabriel Thomson, 28, who used to play Michael Harper in the BBC sitcom ‘My Family’ is celebrating gaining a place at top university King’s College London after gaining top grades from City and Islington College.

He will now study Philosophy after gaining maximum distinctions studying for a Humanities and Social Science: Access to Higher Education Diploma at the College’s Centre for Lifelong Learning in Finsbury Park.

Gabriel aspires to become a human rights barrister following the completion of his degree.

He said: “I got to the point in my life where I wanted to do something useful. Making people laugh is important, but I wanted to pursue a career that makes a difference and to transfer my acting skills in to performance in the court room. I am passionate about human rights and plan to take further qualifications after my degree to become a human rights barrister.

He added: “Studying at City and Islington through the Access route has enabled me to take the first step towards achieving my ambition. I thought I would do a degree in Law but my teachers have really fuelled my passion for philosophy.”

Having not studied A Levels due to his acting career, Gabriel chose the Access route, which is a qualification which prepares people without traditional qualifications, such as A Levels, for study at university.

Grant Glendinning, Centre Director at the College’s Centre for Lifelong Learning in Finsbury Park, said: “Access courses provide a potentially life-changing platform for students from all backgrounds to progress to university. The courses are excellent at instilling self-belief, as well as giving students the necessary tools to function while at university. We are very proud of Gabriel’s academic achievement this year.”