I hope I'm already alright.
An actual existing human being.
No I really think I might be able to do the scene.
Do you think you've got what it takes?
I see myself as more of a Niall. Matt Lucas is gonna play Zayn.
That would have been pretty scary.
The damage is already done.
I'll try my best.
James, great to meet you. Paul Potts is possibly one of the nicest human beings on the planet.
Did it make you want to become a better human being?
Well I guess, I sort of hope, I hope I'm already alright. But yes he is, you're right he is
unbelievably warm and kind. So yeah I think everyone could do with being a little bit
more like him.
Definitely. Now lets talk about the singing. Be honest were you a bit offended they took
out your vocals and put in Paul's?
Well I already knew by that moment but I wasn't offended because I had a hunch but I did at
the start of the whole thing go. No guys I really think I might be able to do the scene.
I think I might have some lessons and stuff. So they went oh okay. I had like ten singing
lessons with this brilliant singing teacher. I was in New York at the time with her and
they came and listened and they listened to about half a song and went um, yeah were going
to get someone else. So the damage was already done. But whats such a nice thing is that
every time Paul sings in the film it really is Paul's voice doing it. He went into a studio
and synced to my mouth and stuff so yeah I think it's a very nice thing.
Is it more of a pressure to play an actual existing human being rather than a character
that's been created?
Well there is. I think I had sort of an easier time of it than it perhaps sounds because
our film stops at the moment that Paul auditions for Britain's Got Talent. So I was playing
him in a time before any of us ever. That moment that the film stops is the first moment
you and I ever became aware of him. So I felt like I had a slightly easier job than it sounds.
Now the film its very inspirational. From what you've learnt from the film whats your
advice to any of the undiscovered Paul Potts out there?
Its that sort of thing that if you don't give up you cant fail, you know. If you never give
up you never were beaten by it. That's the thing about the film. This isn't a film about
someone who auditions for Britain's Got Talent. This is a film about a boy from an industrial
steel town in Port Talbot who dreams of being an opera singer. In a town where no one even
listens to opera let alone becomes an opera singer you know. Through so much adversity,
he had to jump so many hurdles, he had so many things put in his way. It felt like the
world was just telling him to give and he just didn't. He meets this woman, this girl
who believes in him and its like you say. Its such an uplifting, moving film you know,
we're all very proud to be part of it.
Now Simon Cowell produced the movie. How much input did he actually have?
I mean he wasn't really involved. It was him and a wonderful producer called Harvey Weinstein
who's track record is terrific. So no I spoke to Simon about it after. There had been a
cut of the film and he had seen the first cut and he had a couple of suggestions. So
ideas which everyone kind of agreed were really good actually. Yeah you know he's a wonderful
guy Simon, he has great taste and vision. You know having him and Harvey and our brilliant
director David Frankel, you really felt so supported by these brilliant people.
And you didn't have to sing for Simon?
I did not, no.
That would have been pretty scary.
It would but I reckon I'd be alright yeah.
Now if Simon wanted to make maybe a film about 1D do you think you've got what it takes
to be the next Harry Styles?
No I see myself as more of a Niall I think. I think I could play Niall in the film quite
well. We're already in talks. I'm going to play Niall and David Walliams is going to
play Harry Styles.
I was going to ask about all the other members so David Walliams- Harry Styles.
David Walliams- Harry Styles. Olly Murs is gonna play Louis. Matt Lucas is gonna play
Zayn and Lenny Henry is going to play Liam. Which is a leap I know for all of us but it
just feels right you know.
Oh my god that is one impressive line up James. I cant wait. Cheers. Great to meet you and
loads of luck with the film.
Bless you. It was a real pleasure.