Littlehampton teen features in pop star’s music video

George Kelly, left, with Irish pop star Luan Parle during the filming of her latest video PHOTO: Michael Kelly SUS-151002-144013001

Talented George Kelly, 18, played the lead role in singer-songwriter Luan Parle’s new single, Roll the Dice – which this weekend topped the Irish iTunes chart.

George, who is in year 13 at The Angmering School, played the doting young lover of a teenage Luan in the video, which was filmed in Wexford, Ireland, last month.

This is the first time the 18-year-old, of The Haven, Littlehampton, has appeared on film, having gained much of his previous acting experience on the stage during school productions.

George said: “When I heard I had got the role I was shocked.

“I thought I probably wouldn’t get it because I’m from England and she’s from Ireland.

“So when I heard I would be doing it I just smiled and laughed. I was really happy.”

George, who said he has always wanted to go to Ireland, spent two days overseas and an entire day filming.

The four-minute video follows the blossoming love between George’s character and a younger Luan.

During the shoot, George was filmed frolicking on Curracloe beach with his teenage co-star – the same coastal stretch which featured in the brutal opening 15 minutes of Oscar-winning war film, Saving Private Ryan.

He also had the chance to meet the award-winning singer, who he described as a ‘lovely lady’.

George added: “I have never done anything like this before, it was totally different to working on stage.

“On stage if you mess something up, that’s it, you can’t do it again. But when you’re filming, you can just try it again. It’s a lot easier.”

George was persuaded to apply for the role by his father, Joe.

Joe said: “George is a very down-to-earth guy. He wasn’t fazed by the whole experience at all. But it’s a really great opportunity for him.”

George is now looking for roles closer to home. He is hoping to have clinched the lead role in his school’s summer musical, West Side Story.

“I have always wanted a lead in a musical,” he said.

Speaking of his experience in the music video, the teen added: “It changed me a bit and made me more confident. For me to be chosen out of all those people was just a great feeling.”

The music video is available on YouTube.

To watch it, visit www.youtube.com and search Luan Parle – Roll The Dice official video.