A FORMER Grenadier Guard has just shot a movie with none other than big screen legend Sir Michael Caine.
Doug Cooper, 76, of Roundway, in Grimsby, met The Italian Job actor in the make-up room at London's Wimbledon Theatre while filming scenes for feature flick Youth.
From Oscar-winning Italian director Paolo Sorrentino, the movie has an all-star cast that boasts Hollywood heavyweights Jane Fonda, Rachel Weisz and Harvey Keitel.
Doug, who served in the infantry regiment for three years in the 1950s, got to rub shoulders with acting royalty as he prepared to go before the cameras as a Prince Philip lookalike.
He said: "I was down in London for four days; the film company sent a car to pick me up from Grimsby, I got all the VIP treatment.
"It was lovely, I couldn't ask for better. I had my own dressing room that simply said 'Prince' on the door – I was referred to as Prince when we were filming."
The movie follows the story of Fred Ballinger, played by Sir Michael, a talented orchestra conductor who gave up on his music career.
But someone is determined for him to conduct again and he is asked to head an orchestra at Buckingham Palace for the Duke of Edinburgh's birthday.
Two years ago, after receiving numerous comments that he looked like the Queen's husband, wife Maureen sent a photo of him off to an agency – and this was the first job he booked.
He said: "I wasn't that interested to start off with if I'm honest with you, but my wife persuaded me to do it.
"I filmed alongside a Queen lookalike and we were shot coming into the circle at the theatre and sitting on gold chairs, with Michael Caine turning to us and bowing.
"At one point they put a fake tear in my eye to make me look emotional; it was great meeting him though, he was very down to earth despite being a Sir.
"There were also 400 extras in the audience, too. It was very professional set with lots of people doing various important jobs."
The film is due for release in the spring next year, when it is set to be premiered at the Cannes Film Festival.
Doug added: "There was no dialogue, but I'd do more films as Prince Philip if the opportunity came about.
"For years I've been told I look like him, even people abroad have approached me saying so, and there's a certain crowd in the pub who annoyingly always bow to me when they see me come in."
But the ex-builder would not have met or shook hands with the Brit acting star were it not for his wife encouraging him.
She said: "Everyone in the family is really excited to see him in the film."
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