Maghull pupil lands role of Beatles legend in new John Lennon film

May 14 2009 by Tina Miles, Maghull and Aintree Star

John Collins who will be playing John Lennon 320

A TEENAGE actor from Merseyside has landed a part in a big screen film about the early life of John Lennon.

John Collins, who lives in Orrell Park, got the part of Ivan Vaughan in Nowhere Boy after auditioning at his school, Maghull High.

The 15-year-old will play the close friend of John Lennon, who was responsible for introducing Lennon to Sir Paul McCartney.

The promising actor impressed directors and producers at three auditions, despite having never acted professionally before.

The former Longmoor Community Primary School pupil said: “Apart from school plays, I have never acted before but the head of performing arts, Mr Hewitt, asked me if I wanted to audition for a part in a new film.

“I didn’t know what the film was or how big the film would be until I started looking through my lines. I still can’t believe it when I talk about being in a film about John Lennon.”

John, who is currently studying for 11 GCSEs including drama, said working with an A-list cast, including Anne-Marie Duff, has inspired him to work in the industry.

He said: “Originally I wasn’t sure about becoming an actor because I thought it is a very hard business to get into but I’ve definitely caught the acting bug.”

Nowhere Boy, written by Bafta-winning screenwriter Matt Greenhaigh, is about the younger Lennon just before his mother dies.

From the age of five, Lennon was raised by his Aunt Mimi (played by Kristin Scott Thomas) and did not see his mother Julia (Anne-Marie Duff) until he reached his late teens.