Michael Tucker

MICHAEL TUCKER:
STUDENT ACTS WITH HOLLYWOOD SUPERSTAR

Release Date:

January 10, 2003

Press Release:

CN News in association with
The UnOfficial Love Spell Entertainment

A WALNEY student is the envy of his friends after acting in a big-budget feature film alongside Hollywood babe Jennifer Love Hewitt.

Michael Tucker has a role in "If Only," a romantic comedy starring "I Know What You Did Last Summer" actress Jennifer and ex-"EastEnders" star Paul Nicholls.

Michael, 17, plays a teenage boy riding a bicycle in a scene that was shot in Borrowdale, Keswick. He won the part after joining Carlisle-based agency Lakeside Castings, which has found parts for many Barrow folk in other Hollywood movies.

The teenager, of Lowther Crescent, North Scale, said: "I was a bit nervous but then I got really excited. Once on set I was fine."

He even spoke to Jennifer herself. He said: "She said good morning to me and she was really nice."

Casting agent Phil McKay said: "When he joined the agency he was a really sweet lad who was up for it. When I told him I had got him the role of the boy on the bicycle he just went ballistic. He couldn't believe it."

Michael's father Willian David Tucker said of his proud, lucky son, "My son being in the film had an amazing effect. His movie appearance was publicized in three local newspapers. Michael's mates were drooling as he told them about that day because appearantly they were all big fans of Jennifer Love Hewitt. When Michael went out he was surrounded by girls who held hands to make a circle around him and sang a song about being 'a superstar'. Later Michael came home and his arms and chest were covered with girls names and telephone numbers, and also all over his Tshirt. My son basked in his 15 minutes of fame for weeks after that."

Michael, who is studying GCSEs, is hoping to become an actor when he leaves college.

Fellow Barrovians Rita Tadman and Roy Oldham are also extras in the film.