May 22
THIS week we are celebrating the youth of Britain.
As part of the Sun-backed ITV1 show Britain’s Best 2008, we want YOU to choose the nation’s most inspiring young talent.
Today’s nominee for the Walkers Home Grown New Talent Award is actor Nicholas Hoult.
NICHOLAS first impressed in 2002 movie About A Boy, playing geeky youngster Marcus alongside Hugh Grant.
But that little lad in the chunky-knit cardy has done a lot of growing up since.
Thanks to his role as edgy Tony Stonem in drug and sex-fuelled C4 drama Skins, he is a fully-fledged teen heart-throb.
But the modest star insists: “I wasn’t even aware I was considered a pin-up until I heard from somebody that their daughter had a picture of me on her wall.
“I think of people like Orlando Bloom being stuck on teenage girls’ walls, not me. “But I suppose it is a nice compliment – it’s certainly amusing.
“When Skins started going out once a week I found myself getting recognised. “I went through a patch where I found it strange and didn’t handle attention well, but now I deal with it better.
“I have realised that at least it means people are enjoying the programme.”
When he is not filming, 19-year-old Nick lives at home with his parents in Wokingham, Berks. Dad Roger is a pilot while his mum, Glenis, is a piano teacher.
Parties
His sisters Clarista, 15, Rosie, 23, and brother James, 30, all have acting experience.
“When you are a child actor you grow up quickly,” Nick explains. “In many ways you are like a mini-adult because you’re in an adult environment.
“Of course they make allowances but at the end of the day they have a schedule and a job to do.
“At home I always just had a normal childhood. Even now, Mum still does my washing.
“I don’t go to a lot of showbiz parties or out on the celebrity circuit because I find it all a bit weird.
“If there is something I am invited to that I really fancy, of course I will go. But my social life still pretty much revolves around going out with my mates from home.”
Nick was talent-spotted when he was just three – while watching a play with his mum.
He says: “There was a theatre director sitting in the audience who was impressed that I concentrated so well through the play and cast me in The Caucasian Chalk Circle.
“I remember thinking it was just a bit of fun.
“Acting was sort of like a hobby that snowballed. It was just something I did outside of school. Of course, sometimes I had to spend time away filming and work with a tutor and that was quite hard.
“But I don’t feel I sacrificed my childhood for my career.”
Nick decided to drop out of sixth form when Skins took off.
He said: “I thought I would give acting a go full-time, I can always try to get my A-levels later.
“It’s a bit of a daunting prospect being a full-time actor because you are always thinking, ‘When is the next job coming?’ But, fingers crossed, it will work out.”
Talking about his Walkers Award prospects, Nicholas adds: “It is great to be nominated but the others all sound much more talented than me. I have worked hard but acting is a lot about luck too.”
Britain’s Best 2008 will be shown on ITV1 at 9pm on Friday, May 23.
By: CAROLINE IGGULDEN
