A Woolwich couple are ploughing thousands of pounds into grooming their son for superstardom - at the tender age of eight.

Mum and dad Steffan, 33 and Haley Liang, 26, have great expectations for their son Theodore and aren't afraid to put their money where their mouths are.

The fame-hungry parents are shelling out £1,300 a month - more than £15,000 a year - to help him build his "brand" as an actor and dancer.

Mr Liang is pleased with the progress Theo, a pupil at East Wickham Primary Academy in Welling, is making ahead of his official "launch" next year.

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He said: "Theo has grown up exceeding expectations in all areas, particularly performing arts, social media, design, film and modelling.

"His ability to relate to modern media and emerging marketing opportunities, has given way to his fashion line, his music, acting, YouTube and dance career."

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The entrepreneurial dad manages his own bespoke tailoring brand as well as Theo's fashion line.

He added: "I feel slightly vicarious as I also attended drama school and had aspirations of being famous. 

"Following this my degree in international marketing at Greenwich gives me an advantage and lateral approach to this type of activity." 

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Theo is "exceeding all expectations" ahead of next year's career launch

Mr Liang says every last penny is dedicated to Theo's success - and the couple rely on his grandparents to help foot the bill for classes too.

And he hopes the investment will pay off when he launches Theo's career in 2017, having already lined up a contract with Bizzy kids' modelling agency and music and film projects in the pipeline.

While he admits that he is pushing Theo to become a star, he also claims he is an "overprotective father" and wants to retain his son's innocence for "as long as possible".

He said: "My son is an exceptional child and very smart, we are going to do all we can to make him a star.

"We push him, but it will all be worth it in the end."