As an actor, his dream is to make headlines for his stirring performances.

But for now, teenage screen star Liam Scobie is content with delivering the news as he aims to follow in the footsteps of acting hero Tom Cruise by progressing from paperboy to leading man after landing a role in hit US television series Outlander.

The 16-year-old will appear alongside Sam Heughan and Caitriona Balfe in the time-travelling Scottish history drama when it airs in the UK in February next year.

However, the thrilling filming schedule in Stirlingshire is a far cry from Liam’s after school job as a paperboy for Sinclair Barr newsagents in his hometown of Paisley.

READ MORE: Outlander crews spotted filming in Glasgow's Queen's Park

And Liam revealed he is aware of the similarities between his own journey to acting stardom and that of Mission: Impossible and Top Gun star Cruise – who has previously spoken about having a newspaper round to earn extra cash while growing up in Louisville, Kentucky.

He said: “My dream is to be a successful actor, so maybe it’s a good omen that Tom Cruise was a paperboy like me when he was a teenager.”

“I’ve acted on stage many times through the years but appearing on Outlander is definitely the biggest thing I’ve ever done.

“I’ve been on the set – both when it was filmed in the countryside, in Callander and a film studio in Cambuslang – about 15 times this year and it was an amazing experience.”

Liam joins up a militia led by Heughan’s character, Jamie Fraser, in season five of the show and is also due to appear in a reboot of the classic CBBC series ‘The Demon Headmaster’ later this month.

The Gleniffer High School pupil discovered his love of acting when he joined the Razzamataz Theatre School as a six year old and aims to study at the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland after passing his exams.

READ MORE: Outlander star Caitriona Balfe poses with fans while filming in Paisley

And he admits experience on the show, which airs on the Starz network in the US, is a huge boost to his chances of gaining a place at the renowned acting school – crediting fellow Outlander actor and Still Game star Mark Cox as key to encouraging his on screen presence.

Liam said: “I’ve spoken to both Caitriona Balfe and Sam Heughan when I’ve been on set and they were very nice to me.”

“I also spent a lot of time talking with Scottish actor, Mark Cox who plays Tam in Still Game.

“Mark’s plays the part of a minister in Outlander and he’s been very good with me giving advice on how to have a career in acting and encouraging me never to give up even when things aren’t going so well.”

In July, Outlander crews took over Glasgow's Queen's Park on a sweltering summer's day to film scenes for the series.

Previously, the City Chambers, parts of the West End, the Salt Market and St Andrews in the Square have been used as a backdrop for the show.

Liam’s brush with stardom has come as no surprise to newsagent boss Des Barr, who praised the teenager’s work ethic and tipped him for bigger roles in the future.

He told the Evening Times: “Liam is a very conscientious young man and he’s certainly taking the same view as Tom Cruise about the need to work hard to achieve things in life.”

“I’m sure if Liam puts the same effort into his acting career as he does being a paperboy, then he’ll end up making the news along with having delivered it.”