A FORMER Marlborough St John's pupil who starred in the global phenomenon that was Star Wars: Rogue One has swapped the big screen for a radar one as he trains to become an air traffic controller.

Over the last few years, David Wright has also had small roles in the hit film Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them and on the TV shows Tarzan and The Crown.

However the 31-year-old, who was born in Marlborough, has put his budding acting career on hold in pursuit of a career in air traffic control and right now he is studying in Southampton at NATS Holdings, formerly National Air Traffic Services.

"I made the switch to air traffic from what was a very freelance world of piloting and acting as both were not guaranteed futures, where you travel from one job to the next whereas a career with air traffic is structured, well paid, challenging and has excellent prospects," he said.

"I am hugely enjoying the controlling aspect, the exams not so much. At the moment we are scheduled to finish in summer but the finish date is fluid.

"The course is tough and you are constantly being challenged but you have to take a step back and remind yourself of your skill level the previous month or even week; it is then that you see how much progress you have made and there is nothing more gratifying than having a smooth run in the simulator.

"The learning curve is steep but by putting the hours in you come up a long way and fast."

Although Mr Wright is studying at the south coast air traffic control facility, and is on course to start keeping our skies safe for real once he’s finished his college and on-site training, either at NATS’ Swanwick facility or at the group’s northern UK air traffic control centre in Prestwick, Scotland, he has not given up his acting career just yet.

"To be part of those films and TV shows was incredible. For now I have stopped any filming commitments, unless, as was the case late last year, we are given guaranteed time off between modules and there is the opportunity to help out on set and earn some extra money.

"I still keep in touch with my old agency however, so if dates ever match and the film is something I am interested in then I imagine I will do more. For now rest between courses is more important."

Mr Wright added that he usually returns to Marlborough once every couple of months to see family and friends.