Actor enjoys slice of film fame

A young actor from Bingham has been chosen to star alongside Hollywood actors Helena Bonham Carter and Freddie Highmore in a new BBC film.

Oscar Kennedy, 11, of Skylark Close (pictured) is to play the young Nigel Slater in Toast, a film based on the bestselling novel of the same name.

Oscar, a Carnarvon Primary School pupil, was chosen from hundreds of actors.

“I had to have three auditions, two in Birmingham and the last one in London,” he said.

“I am really excited about filming. I’m not really nervous because it is just one of those things you have to do.”

The film was written by Lee Hall, nominated for an Oscar for Billy Elliot, and will be directed by S. J. Clarkson, whose previous work included Life On Mars and Heroes.

Toast explores the tastes and smells associated with chef Nigel Slater’s journey from childhood to adulthood.

Freddie Highmore, star of Tim Burton’s Charlie And The Chocolate Factory, plays an older version of Nigel Slater while Helen Bonham Carter is his stepmother.

Oscar, who wants to be a professional actor, was put forward for the role by the Television Workshop at Nottingham, which he attends every Saturday.

Filming starts at the end of the month and it will be aired over Christmas.