Mark Benton

Actor Mark Benton has starred in ITV's Britannia High and as maths teacher Daniel Chalk in BBC's Waterloo Road. Now Mark is hoping to be schooled in the ways of ballroom as he steps into the world of Strictly Come Dancing.

Born in Guisborough, Yorkshire, Mark’s early acting experience was at Middlesbrough Youth Theatre before winning a coveted place at the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art. From RADA Mark took to the stage with The Royal Shakespeare Company, working alongside esteemed director Sam Mendes.

After treading the boards successfully for many years, Mark made the transition into feature films. Appearing in Mike Leigh’s Career Girls, Anthony Minghella’s Breaking and Entering and Terry Gilliam’s The Imaginarium of Dr Parnassus; starring alongside A-Listers Johnny Depp, Jude Law, Colin Farrell and the late Heath Ledger.

Mark’s British TV career is as prolific as it is varied and he has played roles in The Bill, Kavanagh QC, Ballykissangel, Silent Witness, Doctor Who, Murphy’s Law, Holby City, Hustle and Northern Lights.

Most recently Mark has returned to his stage roots starring in drag as Edna Turnblad in the 2013 UK tour of Hairspray the Musical. Mark admitted that learning the routines has given him a new love for dance, motivating him to don a spray-tan and sequins for Strictly Come Dancing.