TWO inspiring young people from Dunfermline could join the likes of Sir Andy Murray and Karen Gillan in a prestigious list of champions as they compete for national awards.

Actor Ncuti Gatwa and volunteer Ryan McKillop are both finalists in this year’s Sunday Mail Young Scot Awards.

The ceremony will be held online on August 13 with the winners to be announced during the live-streamed event on Young Scot’s YouTube channel.

The awards recognise extraordinary young people aged 11-26 who improve the lives of people in their community.

Ncuti was born in Rwanda and raised in Dunfermline before moving to Edinburgh and then Glasgow to graduate from the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland.

He spoke out bravely last year about how he was tormented by racist bullies who made up a social media campaign to get him out of their school when he moved to Dunfermline.

The 27-year-old plays Eric Effiong in the hit Netflix series Sex Education and has been shortlisted in the entertainment category, sponsored by Stagecoach.

Ncuti was also nominated for a BAFTA earlier this year and will find out tomorrow (Friday) if he’s successful in the Male Performance in a Comedy Programme category.

Ryan is in the health category in this year’s Young Scot Awards for his efforts in launching Andy’s Man Club in Dunfermline.

The 24-year-old has played a key role in running the group which helps men open up about their issues with mental health in a safe and confidential space.

The group has seen 1,792 men come through its doors since their opening last May and they have been meeting online once a week during lockdown.

Now in its 14th year, the awards highlight the amazing achievements of young people across Scotland.

Winners will join a prestigious roll call including actors such as Karen Gillan and Martin Compston, and world class athletes including Sir Andy Murray and Olympian Laura Muir.