Not  the most good-looking boy in the pub but his charm and character ensure he goes home with a girl most nights. 19, he has a charming cheekiness that lets him get away with most things, and if he can’t charm his way out of a situtation, he’s more than ready to use his fists. He’s a loyal, trustworthy friend and will be a perfect husband when he’s found The One.

Both his parents moved to the South of France as soon as Mercutio turned 18. They bought him a flat in the city and he gets a decent allowance to fund his social lifestyle. He’s an only child. Even though Mercutio lives in the city, he’s with Romeo most days. They tease each other like brothers, encourage each other like brothers and protect each other like brothers.  Montague Senior's the closest thing he has to a father and Merc would do anything for him and his family.

He left school last summer with two A’s and a B in his A-levels and has decided to take a gap year. He had many plans for this year out of education (travelling, working, London) but he’s finding it much harder than he thought to leave a place where he’s extremely comfortable being the big fish in the little pond.

He Likes- Football (playing and watching), poker, beer, dance music, a good fight, dabbling in stocks and shares, gym, weed, Saturday afternoons in the pub with his mates, women.

He Dislikes- Muscle Marys, dishonesty (particularly if the truth involves “I’m married!”), bullies.

About The Actor: Ben Ashton

Your life-story in a tweet: Born. 3-8 pretended to be a popstar (Jason Donavon) 8-11 player with 5 girlfriends at the same time, 11-present pretending to be an actor

Favourite acting part so far: Dame Trott in Jack & the Beanstalk (final year at Bristol Old Vic Theatre School) it was such a challenge but so rewarding. I was a "big" Yorkshire lass who got to sing classics such as: "Shout" by Lulu (with a hint of James Brown) & "You're My World" by Cilla Black & I had massive boobs - what more do you want?!

What do you like doing online: Not sure I'm allowed to say!

What's the essential difference between you and your character in STS: I like being in relationships

Your main offstage ambition: To own a micro-pig