THE star of a TV series about York train operator East Coast has revealed how he beat all the odds to become a train guard.

Dan Webster arrived in York several years ago with no job and nowhere to live, having borrowed £70 from his mum to try his luck in the city, said an East Coast spokesman.

Half the money went on a £35 open return train ticket from Mansfield and, with the remaining £35 in his pocket and just the clothes on his back and an invitation to sleep on a friend’s floor, he set about searching for a job.

The spokesman said Dan overcame verbal abuse before securing temporary employment at York station with contractor Initial as a station cleaner.

“After several short stints across a variety of roles, Dan applied for a position with East Coast that saw him undertake duties as an on-board customer service assistant, a station customer service assistant in York and ultimately, to begin training as a train guard,” he said.

“Overcoming multiple obstacles placed in front of him, Dan’s story is one of true grit and determination.”

Dan, now 25, starred in the second episode of All Aboard: East Coast Trains, an access-all-areas, fly-on-the-wall documentary series on Sky 1 HD, that looked at some of the people behind the scenes at the publicly owned train operator.

“The Sky 1 HD documentary is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to showcase to viewers what it takes to not only be part of a successful company, but also to succeed in the rail industry,” he said.

“Some people don’t always see the bigger picture, and this show gives an insight in to what goes on behind the scenes.”

He said he eventually wanted to become a train driver, but understood he needed to “walk before I can run.”