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Behind the scenes

Go an exclusive tour with the Packed to the Rafter's cast

Meet Ben Rafter

We chat to the cheeky Hugh Sheridan

Download Hugh’s signed Fan card.

Listen to Hugh's hit All About Me

The second youngest of seven children, Hugh Sheridan grew up entertaining his parents and siblings with impromptu shows on the dining room table.

The now 23-year-old would sing up a storm, emulating his father Dennis Sheridan, a jazz singer in a big band. “I’d make my brothers and sisters watch and charge them money,” he recalls laughing. “All I wanted to do was sing, until I was five.”

It was then his eldest sister Zoe, of Channel 9’s The Catch Up fame, enrolled him into an acting school. “From that point on, I wanted to be an actor.”

At age 16, the multi-talented performer moved to Melbourne after he successfully auditioned for The Australian Ballet Company. “I started dancing to better my acting,” he explains. After studying with them for two years, he decided to audition with National Institute of Dramatic Art (NIDA). “Dancing just wasn’t for me and I decided I wanted to act full-time,” he says. Three more years of intense study followed. “NIDA is a phenomenal place but the work is relentless,” he says.

Like his fellow cast mate and good friend Jessica Marais, he and the rest of their third-year class were asked to audition for Packed to the Rafters in 2007. “We were asked to treat it as learning exercise,” he says. “Jess and I actually read our lines together. So it’s extraordinary for two best mates to be cast in what will hopefully be a long-term series.”

Although he acted in numerous stage productions at NIDA, Packed to the Rafters is Hugh’s first television role. “The cast and crew are fantastic,” he says. “I couldn’t have asked for a better first show to work on.”

Citing character actors such as Geoffrey Rush and Johnny Depp as inspiration, Hugh has hopes of emulating his heroes one day. “I have lots of long-term goals,” he says. “Film, roles I’d like to play on stage and working overseas. But, for now, I’m really enjoying working on TV. Each day I’m becoming more obsessed with it.”

Working on Australia’s number one drama has opened many doors for Hugh. Recently he successfully auditioned as a Play School presenter, joining a long line of respected actors who’ve worked on the popular kid’s program.

He also enjoys writing, swimming and running. He also has a keen interest in sailing boats and barracks for the Port Adelaide AFL Club.

Having performed from a very young age, Hugh has been passionate about pursuing his dream of being a recording artist since graduating from NIDA 2 years ago. A meeting with Denis Handlin AM, Chairman & CEO of Sony Music Entertainment Australia & New Zealand, last October has now made this dream a reality.

“Music has always been a massive part of my life”, explains Hugh. “I am so excited to be able to partner with Sony Music to record this album and can’t wait to get my music out there!”. Hugh Sheridan

The album will be recorded in Sydney over the ensuing months and will see Hugh bring to life songs he has been writing over the last year.

Visit Hugh's website here

Listen to music from the singer here

Buy Hugh's debut single 'Just Can't Throw Us Away' here