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Patrick ‘Paddy’ Considine was born in Burton-on-Trent in 1973 – and after going on a performing arts course at the town’s College met long time friend and collaborator movie director Shane Meadows.

Neither of the duo actually finished their college course, and Paddy went on to get a first class degree in photography from Brighton.

But it was acting - which has been described as ‘shifting effortlessly from comic, to De Niro-scary and back again’ – which became his passion.

Room for Romeo Brass

It was in a Meadows production that he shot to prominence, playing the deranged character of Morrell in “A Room for Romeo Brass.�

Paddy Considine -scene from 'In America'

However, it was not all smooth sailing despite the phenomenal response from the Edinburgh Film Festival, and, as he said at the time he "was back at the dole office on the following Monday."

He wasn’t out of work long. Pawel Pawlikowski cast him as the love-struck lead, Alfie, in the Last Resort, for which he won the best actor award at the Thessaloniki Film Festival.

Critical acclaim and more awards followed as he starred in varied British films as ‘In America’, ’24 hour party people’, and ‘Dead Man’s Shoes’ (which he also wrote with Shane Meadows).

Hollywood

With his career upwardly mobile, Paddy went on to star in blockbuster ‘The Bourne Ultimatum’ alongside Matt Damon, and also the Simon Pegg comedy ‘Hot Fuzz’ in 2007.

In the same year, he wrote and directed his own short movie ‘Dog Altogether’, a piece based on the life of his dad, Joseph. It went on to win the Bafta for Best Short Film.

Music

Music also plays a massive part in Paddy Considine’s life. His friendship was originally forged by their forming of a band at Burton College called ‘She Talks to Angels’ (named after a Black Crowes song.)

Riding the Low

During his acting career, he’s appeared in music videos for bands including Coldplay, Moloko and the Arctic Monkeys.

His working relationship with the Monkeys led to them working together on the Shane Meadow’s film ‘Le Donk and Scor-zay-zee’, where Paddy plays a failed-musician-turned-roadie called Le Donk.

Paddy is also the lead singer with the band ‘Riding the Low’, which he formed with ‘Talks to Angels’ bandmate Richard Eaton. The band frequently play gigs around the Midlands and have performed at the Old Brown Jug in Newcastle-Under-Lyme.