Actor Sir Kenneth Branagh and Game of Thrones star back campaign to save Reading Gaol

The sale of the Grade II listed building fell through last month when the successful bidder withdrew from the deal.

The prison is infamous for its incarceration of playwright Oscar Wilde who, according to the British Library, was found guilty of "acts of gross indecency with other male persons" in 1895.

READ MORE: Dame Judi Dench wants to see Reading Gaol turned into arts and heritage site.

Actress Natalie Dormer was born in Reading and attended Reading Blue Coat School.

She has since said the prison site "deserves to be protected".

She said: "I so hope that Reading Gaol can achieve its huge potential as a thriving arts & culture centre.

"The historic significance of the building with its Victorian architecture, its association with the brilliant Oscar Wilde and indeed its site location upon the rich, textured history of the medieval Reading Abbey is of great local and national interest.

"It deserves to be protected and supported as a venue for thriving community spirit, education and creative ideas.

"A massive opportunity to create a cultural gem for Reading."

Reading East MP Matt Rodda has been a key campaigner hoping to save the jail.

He said: "I'd like to thank Natalie Dormer for her heartfelt support and for seeing the enormous significance and the potential of Reading Gaol.

"It is significant that the campaign has growing support from leading actors.

"I hope the MoJ will listen and change its approach."

Also backing the campaign is Sir Kenneth Branagh who believes "Reading is an amazing place".

He explained: "It deserves to preserve and transform its world renowned link with a unique piece of social, political and artistic history.

"Reading Gaol can be a cultural hub that exponentially develops the remarkable stories of the people of Reading.

READ ALSO: Prince Edward visits Reading to recognise performing arts at Read College.

"It will further cement a position on the world stage by looking to its own beautiful back yard, and its own rich community life.

"In Oscar Wilde’s iconic poem, written within these very walls, he says “Each man kills the thing he loves”.

"Despite the undoubted challenges, don’t let this wounded beast of a building be killed when it can be cured.

"Instead let it’s restoration and transformation be the driver of increased economic, social, and cultural power at the very centre of this great City-town, and let its proud citizens understand that ’The Ballad of Reading Gaol’, can be a sad song from the past, that is ready to sing proudly for generations to come."

Mr Rodda added: "I am very pleased that Kenneth Branagh is supporting the campaign to save Reading Gaol.

"The growing support from leading figures from the arts underlines the importance of the campaign.

"The Gaol is a unique building which should be saved, not turned into luxury flats."

Just last weekend, Dame Judi Dench revealed she wants the site to be turned into a cultural and artistic centre.