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Ex-drama teacher’s a film star ...actually

Kate Stirrup
20/11/2003

A FORMER south Manchester drama teacher is doing rather well for himself on the big screen...actually.

Wyllie Longmore, who was the head of drama at Northenden's Arden College from 1992 to 2002 is appearing alongside Hollywood star Hugh Grant in the British romantic comedy Love Actually.

Grant stars as the UK's Prime Minister and Mr Longmore plays Jeremy, one of the PM's leading Cabinet ministers.

Jeremy's small but crucial role leads to the PM standing up to a bullying US President (played by Billy Bob Thornton) and making a lasting impression on Martine McCutcheon's attractive tea lady.

Mr Longmore said: "It's one of those roles where you might miss me if you blink. Hugh Grant plays the Prime Minister and I am a member of his cabinet. I have a few lines here and there. I'm generally standing around in the background, but you can see the back of my head and half of my face in the trailer."

As well as teaching south Manchester thespians of the future Mr Longmore is a familiar face in Manchester theatre circles and won an MEN Theatre Award for best actor in 1995.

Mr Longmore said it was a pleasure to work alongside big name stars.

He said: "There was no battling of egos at all. They are all extremely professional, you are working so there's no time to throw a tantrum.

"I was sitting next to Billy Bob Thornton in one scene, which was extraordinary. In another scene Martine McCutcheon comes along with the tea things."

• To win a pair of tickets to see Love Actually at the Filmworks Manchester, turn to Weekender.