SCOTLAND’s acting community have today come out in support of actor Tyler Collins’ bid to live and work in Scotland.

The Evening Times revealed yesterday the news the Broons star failed in his visa application.

Mr Collins, an American who grew up in Alaska, has worked continuously in Scotland for the past seven years and is recognised as one of the country’s most promising talents.

But he has been denied the right to remain because he hasn’t achieved enough recognition south of the border.

Now, over 250 creatives in Scotland’s arts community have backed the actor’s bid to have his visa granted.

And the list of support is growing all the time.

Greg Hempill Tweeted: ‘Arts Council to deport Hen Broon. Get on it!’

Top talent such as Taggart star’s John Michie and Alex Norton, Deacon Blue’s Ricki Ross and Lorraine Mackintosh and singer Eddie Reader are all calling for Tyler Collins to be allowed back into Scotland.

Other names on the list of support include actors Ken Stott and Bill Paterson, director Gillies Mackinnon and writer/artist Alasdair Grey.

The bid to have Mr Collins back in the country is also backed by the Scottish Filmmaker’s Alliance.

Actor Iain Robertson, now filming with BBC Scotland’s River City said it was “unacceptable” Tyler Collins should not be working in Scotland.

Speaking on behalf of a consortium of Scottish artists he said: “This 27 year-old actor, who has studied and lived in Scotland since the age of 18, has fast become an essential part of our creative community.

“We recognise this not only for his professional performances with the National Theatre of Scotland, Dundee Rep and STV but also for his featured roles in BBC Scotland’s River City, Outlander, recent Irn-Bru adverts and as the renowned ‘Hen Broon’ in the national commercial tour of The Broons.”

Iain Robertson added: “His talents are many: beyond being a tremendous actor and mimic of the Scots, he is a fantastic musician and has collaborated on award-winning films, with Creative Scotland funding agreed for an upcoming project.

“It remains unclear to us the barometer by which a talent is measured as deserving for the right to remain.

“Surely it makes sense that he should be welcomed as the ‘promising talent’ that he so clearly is. We need the diversity in our creative community.”

Iain Robertson and his supporters are hoping the Scottish government will react.

“We have devolved body in Creative Scotland. Why is the Arts Council in England making this decision?”