'I'm in Robbie film Better Man but can't see it'

Alex says he is determined to follow a career in acting after his first on-screen appearance

It is a moment a budding young actor will cherish forever – his first appearance on the big screen – but it could be a little while yet before he can see it for himself.

Thirteen-year-old Alex was selected as an extra in the Robbie Williams biopic Better Man – which sees the Rock DJ star portrayed as a monkey throughout.

The teen, from Newcastle-under-Lyme, Staffordshire, said he had found it "massively exciting" to step out onto a movie set for the first time, but as the film is rated 15 he is not yet allowed to go to the cinema to watch it.

Despite this, he said it had given him a taste for life as an actor, and a determination to pursue a career in the industry.

Alex was cast as one of the kids playing football in Stoke-on-Trent near the beginning of the movie, in a scene which follows the early years of Robbie Williams' life.

"On the first day they picked out costumes from the time period for us and took photos so they could recreate them exactly the next day," Alex said.

His scene took two days of filming, and Alex said he was thrilled to have been able to meet director Michael Gracey and learn more about how a film is made.

"The kid playing young Robbie was wearing a motion capture suit which was so interesting to see in real life," Alex said.

'That's my son!'

Alex is a member of Midlands Screen Acting School, and put his name forward after a call went out for youngsters who would like to be in the film.

"I wasn't nervous at all, I was just excited for the opportunity for him," said his mum Hannah.

"He's always wanted to be an actor, his whole life, for as long as I can remember."

Hannah said she had been to see the film herself, adding she had wanted to stand up in the cinema and shout "that's my son!".

She added: "It was just such a great opportunity for him to be involved in something so huge, and also something so local at the same time."

Williams' connection with Stoke has endured throughout his career with Take That and as a solo artist, and in 2022 he played a special homecoming gig at Port Vale Football Club.