Call the Midwife star Zephryn Taitte brings young actors from Ipswich youth group 4YP on as extras during filming

A rising star from the BBC's Call the Midwife will become a patron of a Suffolk youth group after recruiting several of its young performers as extras.

Zephryn Taitte, known to audiences as Cyril Robinson, brought along members of Ipswich charity 4YP to star in the period drama during filming.

The actor, who has worked with the youth group for over a year, often goes out with vulnerable young people, using performing arts as a form of youth engagement and crime prevention.

Zephryn and some colleagues hold weekly workshops to an enthusiastic audience of young actors from 4YP.

Bringing the youngsters on set as extras was the culmination of his work with the group thus far.

He will be made a patron of the charity at its annual meeting at 4.30pm today.

Zephryn said: “It’s a great honour and pleasure to be working alongside 4YP.

"Our work and passion for the wellbeing, achievements and development of young people are paramount.

"I look forward to being a part of enabling more opportunities for our participants."

Earlier this year, Zephryn was awarded the Freedom of London award for his work with Pan-Arts, a group he founded.

He said the group seeks to inspire social change and inspire young people at risk to get into the arts scene.

4YP, which is based in Lower Brook Street, works with young people between the ages of 7 and 24.

4YP boss Gavin Stone said: “I am thrilled that Zephryn will be continuing to support 4YP. I have seen first-hand how the weekly drama group he and his team have led at 4YP has increased the confidence of young people and given them a platform to communicate their views through performance.

"Most importantly, Zephryn epitomises so many of the values we share at 4YP in serving and supporting young people, notably those that otherwise might not have the same opportunities to thrive as others.”