The X-Men star is funding a 10-year scholarship programme at his former drama school, the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland (RCS), so those who would otherwise be unable to afford tuition can attend the course.

MCAvoy insists he wants to help fellow actors follow in his footsteps, and says in a statement, "There are few opportunities for young people to engage in performing arts. I see tons of young people who are vastly intelligent but because they have this ingrained humility, it gets in the way of them expressing themselves and showing how brilliant they are. Drama breaks through barriers and it can give people the tools to walk into a room and express themselves."

Other actors to graduate from RCS include Doctor Who star David Tennant ,Shirley Valentine actor Tom Conti, and The Good Wife star Alan Cumming.