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MAGICAL JOURNEY FOR HARRY POTTER STAR

It was the biggest day of 17-year-old Chris Rankin's life, mixing with the cream of showbusiness at the world premiere of Harry Potter and The Philosopher's Stone – but things could have turned out very differently had it not been for the EDP.

Chris, who in less than six months graduated from playing Fagin in a Dereham amateur dramatic theatre production to a central role in nothing less than a film phenomenon, was waiting at his home in Shipdham, near Dereham, for a chauffeur-driven car to arrive at 1pm and whisk him off to London.

Kitted out in "smart casual" dress as requested in the premiere invitation, he was ready and waiting, as were his mum, Marilyn, best friend Will Rist, who tipped him off last year about the Potter movie auditions, and Will's mum, Venetia, former chairman of Dereham Operatic Society Youth Theatre Company, which has helped Chris hone his acting skills over the last few years.

At five to one, Marilyn said to a flutter of nervous laughter that it was just the right time for the driver, who had to have the party safely delivered to the Odeon in Leicester Square by 3.30pm, to ring and warn them he was running late. Literally seconds later, as if on cue, the telephone rang.

Yes, it was the driver; yes, he was running late. In fact, thanks to hold-ups on the M11, he had not yet even reached the A11. That 3.30pm arrival deadline was starting to look very doubtful indeed.

Luckily, the EDP came to their rescue, and we did not need a broomstick or magic spell to do it, relying instead on the tried-and-tested powers of the internal combustion engine. Two of them, to be precise.

Photographer Bill Smith and reporter Geoff Pulham packed the party aboard their cars and drove through Watton and past Thetford to rendezvous with the driver just north of Elveden on the A11, saving him 50 miles and ensuring Chris was on time for his unmissable date.

Last night, after enjoying the star-studded premiere and shortly before living it up until 2am at a party at the Savoy Hotel, Chris said: "I had an absolutely fantastic time which I will never forget. The atmosphere and the crowd reception outside the cinema was unbelievable, and I thoroughly enjoyed meeting the stars who attended. I am very grateful to the EDP for helping us get there on time. I've no idea what would have happened if we had been late for the film."

Chris first had the chance to see how he looked on screen as snooty Hogwarts prefect Percy Weasley when he attended a screening for cast and crew on Saturday.

"I thoroughly enjoyed it, and tried to watch it like it was a normal film and not a personal experience," he said. "I thought the experience would be absolutely terrifying, but I had seen all the bits I am in on a small screen already, so I knew what was coming. It was still pretty odd, though, and what was particularly strange was not so much seeing myself in a cinema as hearing myself."

Admirably level-headed, Chris has not let his involvement in what has become an extraordinary film event go to his head. In fact, tiredness notwithstanding, he plans to be back at Dereham Sixth Form Centre this afternoon, studying for an A-level in theatre studies.

"When I started work on the film, I was really, really excited," he said. "It has sunk in over time that acting is effectively now my job, because that is what I have been doing professionally for the last eight months, 12 hours a day. It is really no different to the other acting jobs I've done – it's just that a lot more people are going to be watching now. When it hits screens all over the country, it will be a slightly different experience. I think that's when it will sink in that I am part of a cultural phenomenon."

As Percy, Chris enjoys a good 15 minutes' worth of appearances in the film, including one important scene in which he takes the new arrivals at Hogwarts on a tour of the school facilities. Like an old pro, however, he will not be reading what the critics think.

"I have vowed not to read a review of the film if I can help it," he said. "I have seen it and I think it's a good movie, which is enough for me. Some people are going to get hypercritical about little details and certain characters, which seems a bit silly."

Filming of the sequel, which among other developments sees Percy acquire a girlfriend, starts in a fortnight's time, and Chris is keen to embark on a full-time acting career.

"I am planning to go to drama college next year, and would like to end up doing a mix of everything, a bit of TV, stagework and hopefully film as well," he said. "I would particularly like to appear in a future James Bond film, as a baddie, obviously. There's nothing like a good Bond baddie."

Proud dad David said: "I am incredibly proud of him. It is absolutely super for Chris, especially as he is one of the nicest guys I have ever met!"

Mum Marilyn said: "I am and happy and delighted. It is just so lovely Chris is doing something that he enjoys."

Don't miss tomorrow's EDP for one of the first reviews of the movie, and David Macaulay meets the stars on Wednesday.

Article taken from EDP24.