YOU’D think the odds on a Hen Broon-sized Alaskan becoming a major Scottish theatre and TV star would be unlikely.

But that’s not taking into account the talent that is Tyler Collins.

The 26 year-old is set to star in Wee Fat Glesga Wedding, the Pavilion follow-up to the phenomenally successful Real Hoosewives comedy.

Tyler starred in the first show as a camp American film producer – not a big stretch given he was performing in his native accent.

Yet, incredibly, he has also starred in an Irn Bru advert, playing a Glaswegian.

“I’ve always had a love for voices,” he says, slipping into Glaswegian, then revealing an equally convincing Dundonian.

“As I kid I loved doing cartoon voices and it’s sort of grown from there.”

How did an Alaskan come to love Glasgow? Indeed, before answering that question Tyler, how does anyone come to be an Alaskan?

“That’s a fair point,” he says, grinning. “What happened is my dad was a musician, and when he was drafted during the Vietnam war he was offered the chance to be stationed in South East Asia or Alaska.

“Not surprisingly, he chose Anchorage, Alaska.

“Meantime, my mom grew up Connecticut but when she was twelve her parents moved to Anchorage and my grandpa became a teacher.”

As a teenager, Tyler was sent to an arts boarding school (having landed a scholarship) and in considering his acting future met up with a deputation from what was Glasgow’s RSAMD.

“I’d never been to Scotland before but the course sounded fantastic, I was open to learning different styles of accent.

“I wanted to understand how UK actors could make it in America and wondered if I could do the reverse.

“And I loved the idea of living in Glasgow.”

But at first the dream proved problematic.

“Everybody spoke so fast and I couldn’t understand what was being said,” he says, laughing.

“And I had to come to terms with what people meant when they said they were ‘knackered’.

“In America, all you hear of the Scots accent is Groundskeeper Willie and what Mike Myers does.”

When he graduated as a twenty-one year old, Tyler faced an even more daunting future than his fellow graduates.

He didn’t know many people. He didn’t have an agent and he was still a fish out of water.

Plus, an American living in Scotland has to convince he can play all the regular Scots roles.

“I’m also a musician so for a couple of years I played in a band, wrote music and we out on our own shows such as The Endemic Comedy Show at the Citizens’ Theatre.

“From there I got to know a lot of people and managed to get myself an agent.”

Tyler went on to work on a range of theatre shows and panto, and he had a stint in River City, playing crooked Luke, the gay lover of Robbie, played by Gary Lamont.

“I really enjoyed my time on the series,” he says.

And when he auditioned for the Pavilion Theatre, manager Iain Gordon saw Tyler’s potential.

“The manager liked the idea I was American and could offer the authentic voice.”

But it must have been hard to make an impact on the stage, given the five very powerful actress – Nicola Park, Michele Gallagher, Alyson Orr and Sandra McNeeley - who can all capture a spotlight?

“That’s true,” he says, grinning. “You really have to have confidence in amongst that lot.

“And through the years, I’ve learned there are times when men really have to keep their mouths closed.

“But the girls are brilliant and really good fun to work with. There are loads of laughs every day.”

Does his height – he’s six feet five and a half – prove to be a positive?

“It can go both ways,” he says with a shrug. It cost me a drama in London, but it’s great for comedy. I can throw lots of shapes.”

Tyler will be pack at the Pavilion at Christmas time, in Santa Claus Is Coming To Town, playing one of the Baddies.

He’s landed a role in a major new drama, and he’s also made a series of short films, including award-winning Just Say Hi and he’s currently making a feature film, Where Do We Go From Here?

“It’s a Scottish romantic comedy, set in a care home,” he says, “and we’re hoping for really big things from it.”

It seems the American is entirely assimilated into Scots culture, and he’s hoping to transfer his Relationship Visa status into dual citizenship.

“I’m just so chuffed to be living and working here,” he says, slipping into the dialect without even realising it.

“Glasgow is crackin’.”

•Wee Fat Glesga Wedding, the Pavilion Theatre, October 7 – 17.