22-year-old stars in new Ricky Gervais film Cemetery Junction

Christian, 22, plays Freddie, who becomes disillusioned with small-town life in 1970s Reading, where he and his blue-collar friends spend their time messing around, drinking and chasing girls.

His mates, charismatic Bruce and loveable loser Snork, are happy with life the way it is but Freddie yearns for something more exciting. When he lands a job as a salesman and bumps into his old school sweetheart, he and the gang are forced to make choices that will change their lives forever. Released this month, the movie is written and directed by Ricky Gervais and Stephen Merchant, the multi award-winning team behind TV sitcoms The Office and Extras.

Ricky plays Christian’s character’s father in Cemetery Junction and the cast also includes Ralph Fiennes, Emily Watson and Anne Reid.

“It was a great experience working with Ricky, Stephen and the other cast,” said Christian, who was born in Otley and grew up in Yeadon.

“Although I have the leading role, it was very much an ensemble piece with colourful characters. The humour is often used to counter the drama.

“Ricky and Stephen are very funny by nature, but so professional and focused. After my initial audition I had several others and built up a rapport with the other cast members. I think that’s what got me the part – they wanted the three main characters to appear as good friends and we were.

“As far as the future goes, I’ll be keeping an eye out for parts that really interest me. I have an agent in Los Angeles but am not particularly interested in living out there. I’ll just wait and see what happens.”

Christian, a cousin of former Spice Girl Melanie Brown, went to St Mary’s School, Menston. He started his performing career in Bedazzled at Bingley Arts Centre and attended Stage 84 in Idle.

His first television appearance, aged 12, was in a commercial for beef burgers and he has starred in TV dramas Where the Heart Is, Echo Beach, Demons and Trinity.

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