A FORMER Heworth Primary School student has been appointed president of the renowned Footlights dramatic society at the University of Cambridge.

Dillon Mapletoft, 22, looks set to have a promising future in comedy and writing after becoming the 2016-17 president of Footlights.

The society has has shaped British talents such as Emma Thompson, Stephen Fry, Hugh Laurie and Sue Perkins to name but a few.

Dillon attended Heworth Primary School, then gained scholarships to private schools before securing a place at Cambridge.

On becoming the president of Footlights, Dillon said “It’s a massive honour; I do feel in awe of its legacy.

“It’s exciting to support student comedy and get as many people involved as possible.”

From Heworth Primary School, Dillon won a scholarship to York Minster School where he became head chorister.

Further educational success soon followed with a scholarship to Ampleforth College and then a place at Cambridge University, where he gained a double first in Spanish and Portuguese.

His success has gained him a 100 per cent funded master’s degree in film and screen studies starting in September.

This summer Dillon is heading to Edinburgh Fringe, where he is performing in the Footlights show Lagoon, as well as writing and co-directing another show, Floss.

With experience already gained through writing for film and theatre companies in Brazil and Spain during a year abroad, Dillon is now working towards a career in comedy and writing.

He said: “I’m hoping to get as many people involved as possible and create a really inclusive environment by addressing the gender divide that comedy has, which can sometimes be male heavy.”

The president of Footlights, which is regarded as "a finishing school" for many of Britain's most well-known comic entertainers, is elected.

Past notable presidents of Footlights have included Peter Cook, Eric Idle, Clive James, Clive Anderson, Hugh Laurie, David Mitchell, Sue Perkins, Nick Hancock and Richard Ayoade.