MOBO-honoured Idris Elba to lay commemorative paving stone outside Barking and Dagenham College

Idris Elba wrote "This is a great place to learn" about Barking and Dagenham College on his sleeve after a previous visit there. Picture: Barking and Dagenham College

Idris Elba has named his former college in Dagenham as the place where he wants to lay his MOBO commemorative paving stoneThe Luther star said he “wouldn’t have been here today” without Barking and Dagenham College as he made the announcement at the film premiere of his new movie Molly’s Game last night.

Idris, who studied performing arts at the education establishment in the 1990s, was honoured with a Paving The Way award from MOBO organisers last week for achievements in the arts and contribution to British culture

The award sees recipients pay tribute to the area and place that inspired them in their chosen career paths.

Speaking to a reporter, Idris said: “It’s going to be outside my college in Barking - Dagenham actually [Rush Green campus] and I’m putting it outside my college because education is the key to almost everything in life... without my education I wouldn’t have been here today right.”

He added: “It’s such an honour to have a pavement in London but I definitely want it to lead towards people thinking ‘You know what, I might go to college and learn a new skill and move forward’ so that’s why I have put it there.”

Idris, who found fame in Hollywood after starring in HBO mini-series The Wire has previously criticised the lack of diversity on British screens.

He told MPs at a Westminster event in 2016: “My Dad worked in a car factory, so before I could get work as an actor, I ended up doing night shifts at Ford Dagenham.

“In fact Ford Dagenham turned out to have more opportunity, and more diversity, than the TV industry I was trying to break into.”

Barking and Dagenham College released a message on Facebook confirming its delight, stating: “Idris chose Barking & Dagenham College! Thanks Idris!”

The college is one of the leading providers of intermediate, advanced and higher apprenticeship training in London, working with around 300 employer clients each year.

It offers established Higher Education programme (HNC/D, degree, postgraduate) in addition to a wider range of professional body qualifications.

Specialisms include Construction, Project Management, Human Resources Management, Business and Pharmacy.

A date for the paving stone laying is yet to be confirmed.