Adrian Mole role is all in the family

The boys’ performance skills don’t seem to be inherited, although on the museum’s website there is a video of Ilan’s grandfather Ivor singing The sausage song, composed to promote the family’s speciality products.

The two families had lost touch. But when Aaron got his first part in the West End, at the age of eight, playing street urchin Gavroche in Les Misérables, he was following in Ilan’s footsteps. Someone at the theatre thought it was quite a coincidence that the boys had such similar surnames, and introduced their mothers.

“We’ve kept in touch over the years,” said Ilan’s mum Suzanne Galkoff, from Radlett. “It’s really an incredible coincidence, There are only six boys who have played Adrian Mole in London, and our boys are two of them. They do get on very well.”

Aaron, 13 was “always singing nursery rhymes in his cot,” according to his mother, Hayley, and started dance and drama lessons at an early age. He was most recently seen playing the young Jewish boy in Caroline or Change at the Playhouse Theatre. 
 “He finished Caroline or Change in March,” said Mrs Gelkoff. “We were all ready for our summer holiday. Then we got the news that Aaron had this role.” Now, Dad David will stay at home with Aaron while Mrs Gelkoff and daughter Ella,9 go on holiday.

Ilan, 15, went to see Aaron take on the role of Adrian last week, shortly before heading off on Israel Tour. His most recent role was in the Amazon Prime series Good Omens, which will be shown on BBC2 later in the year.

Both boys are aware that child stardom does not always lead to a career as an adult performer. Ilan is about to start a graphic design course at college, while Aaron is a top grade student at West Hatch High School in Chigwell. He celebrated his barmitzvah at Chigwell Synagogue in June.

“We’re all very proud,” said his grandfather, Barry Gelkoff of Chigwell. “And the family connection is fantastic.”