Alan Partridge gets job... on schoolboy's film

Comedian Steve Coogan has agreed to make an unlikely film cameo in a low-budget horror movie shot by a schoolboy.

Aspiring director Liam Hooper, 17, sent the script for his £1,000 production to the star more in hope than expectation.

He was astonished when the Alan Partridge creator agreed to take part in the film, called Darkwood Manor. He said: "I have always been a Coogan fan, and I thought he might like my tongue-in-cheek script. But I never thought he'd agree to take part.

"I contacted his PA, and was amazed when he got in touch.

"His involvement brings a real wow factor to the movie and it has been an incredible opportunity to work with one of my idols."

But the A-level student from Brighton won't reveal what role Coogan plays in the 96-minute film, which also stars fellow students, school staff, friends and family. He said: "I don't want to say too much. All I can say is he appears at a pivotal moment in the plot.

"The film is about a group of pupils who look after a haunted house for a £50,000 reward.
"There are some scary moments, and a very high body count, but mostly it's meant to be funny."

Liam spent three years filming Darkwood Manor with a £500 digital camera. He hopes to move to Hollywood after school.

Coogan may attend the premiere in Brighton on September 10.