The force will be with Harold Wood later this year – when a Star Wars extra prepares to host a film convention.
Nick Joseph, of Harold Wood, played a medal bearer in the first film, A New Hope, released in 1977.
He said: “I had no idea the film would be such a hit. I was stood alongside Harrison Ford and Carrie Fisher and, back then, they weren’t very well known.
“It was a fantastic thing that took off and became the biggest iconic film ever, with similarly popular theme tunes.”
After the film, Nick went on to appear in several other films, including James Bond movie The Spy Who Loved Me as well as TV shows Doctor Who and EastEnders, where he played the very first milkman.
The Star Wars convention will be held at the War Memorial Hall in Gubbins Lane.
It will feature Ron Hone, designer of the R2-D2 robot, and costumed actors playing favourites such as Darth Vader and the Stormtroopers.
The event will also be raising money for Nick’s own charity, the Connaught Stroke Victims, which he set up to provide aftercare and support.
He said: “This year, we’d like to take sufferers to the Isle of Wight for a holiday and will need to hire a specialist coach to do so. That is what the money raised will be going towards.
“Nothing film-related has happened in Havering lately. I thought a Star Wars convention would attract a lot of interest from fans locally and across the UK.”
The event takes place on June 8 from 11am to 5pm.
Entry is £5 for adults, £2 for children and free for under-fives.
For more details, call 01708 342 348 or email nick@nicndee1.plus.com.
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