Alumni Morgan James Wins TikTok Storyteller of the Year

Former East Sussex College student, Morgan James has been named Storyteller of the Year at the TikTok UK & Ireland Awards 2025.

Morgan, who studied Music, Musical Theatre, and Photography during his time at ESC, has gone on to build a huge online presence with 1.1 million followers and 33.9 million likes on TikTok. During his time at the College, Morgan began songwriting and performed at the College’s student festival MiniFest, showcasing his creativity that now defines his career.

He was recognised for his standout content, popping up on viewers’ For You page to give them a behind-the-scenes look into experiences they might not otherwise see - from film premieres to the moment he received a 100th birthday card from royalty. Morgan has captured backstage moments for The Only Way Is Essex (TOWIE) and Celebs Go Dating, and has worked with major partners including Netflix and the BBC.

His creativity, personality, and ability to tell authentic stories helped him shine as one of the UK’s top digital creators.

He shared his reaction on Instagram shortly after receiving the award: “Storyteller Of The Year! I’m honestly lost for words… which, as Storyteller of the Year, isn’t ideal. This still doesn’t feel real. Thank you so much to everyone who voted for me - genuinely, I wouldn’t be here without you watching my videos and following this journey.

“And thank you TikTok for an incredible evening. I started posting on TikTok five years ago, and it’s grown into a career that has genuinely changed my life. I’m so grateful to receive this award as recognition for my work, thank you so much.”

Rebecca Conroy, CEO & Principal of East Sussex College, said, “We are incredibly proud of Morgan’s achievement. His journey shows the power of creative education and what can happen when young people are encouraged to explore their passions. He represents the very best of our alumni community, and his success will no doubt inspire many more students to follow their own creative paths.”

Morgan’s journey from East Sussex College student to award-winning content creator shows what’s possible when passion and creativity meet opportunity.

His success continues to inspire students exploring media, digital careers, performance, and beyond. You can read more about Morgan’s journey while at college here: escg.ac.uk/blog/morgan-m-james/