Comedian Tim Renkow is one of the 21 actors selected for BAFTA Elevate 2019.

BAFTA Elevate is designed to support people from under-represented groups progressing in their careers, and to help tackle the issue of diversity in the industry as a whole. The actors represent a range of abilities, genders, races, sexual orientations or socioeconomic backgrounds.

The group will take part in a bespoke 12-month programme of support including networking opportunities, introductions, mentoring, tailored panel discussions, masterclasses and workshops focused on professional development.

Renkow, who has cerebral palsy, is a stand-up comedian and also the star of his own BBC comedy, entiteld Jerk. In the series Tim plays a character with CP who knows he makes people uncomfortable - he does it on purpose. He knows his cerebral palsy means he can get away with saying what others can’t. But that’s his problem: time spent taking aim at life’s easier targets means Tim takes his eye off its bigger prizes: the job, the girl and the visa.

In real life he was born in Mexico City, then moved to North Carolina, attending art school in Memphis. He came to London when he was 22 to study creative writing and while there started performing stand-up. 

Renkow previously co-starred in the comedy Bobby & Harriet Get Married, which was broadcast on Comedy Central in the UK in 2018. 

Click here to see all of those selected for the scheme.