Stonemason Ben Whitehead has carved out a successful career for himself since being thrust into the spotlight as a child actor on British ITV soap Emmerdale.
Ben who hails from Otley, near Leeds, north England, has been working out of Mone Brothers’ Blackhill Quarry for the past nine years.
He said: “I started out in the yard as a lad and gradually learnt stonemasonry skills on the job. I had great mentors and they’ve given me all the knowledge I need.
“I love what I do and have worked on some great projects over the years,” added Ben, whose latest project is to engrave a millstone for a new playground in Burley in Wharfedale.
He starred as Sam Skilbeck from just 2 weeks old up until the age of 8 before his ‘Emmerdale’ family moved away.
The Blackhill Quarry in Bramhope, Leeds, has been used by Emmerdale as a filming location on a number of occasions.
Ben added: “There are strong links with Emmerdale here with the latest filming last year involving a car driving off the edge of the quarry into a lake. It was exciting to watch but I wouldn’t swap my current career to go back to TV.
“It’s very satisfying to see your own expertise on show right across Yorkshire,” he concluded.
