A SCHOOL boy from Old Kilpatrick has appeared in a new movie which premiered at Edinburgh Film Festival on Friday, June 26.

John Spence, aged nine, stars in comedy ‘Scottish Mussel’ which features lead Scots actors Martin Compston and Paul Brannigan.

John plays the role of ‘scruffy boy’ in three scenes which were shot in Dunoon and Glasgow.

The Gavinburn Primary pupil says he loves acting and is hoping to become a famous screen star one day. John is halfway there — as his friends at school are already asking for his autograph.

The Scottish Mussel, directed by Talulah Riley, tells the story of three lads from Govan who head for the Highlands to make some quick cash by poaching endangered shellfish.

The young actor is on his way, having worked up credits on musical film Sunshine on Leith, Scottish soap River City and BBC comedy show The Ginge, the Geordie and the Geek.

John told the Post: “Being an actor on Scottish Mussel has been a great experience and I really enjoyed it. I was a bit nervous before filming but it was good to be part of.

“I was supposed to be this scruffy boy, going about with two other scruffy boys — and I had a line in the third scene.” John stays in Old Kilpatrick with his mum Angie, a piano teacher, dad David who is a manager for Virgin Media and sister 16-year-old Emily, a Clydebank High student.

Mum Angie says they tried football with John but it didn’t work out so they tried drama, and the nine-year-old has not looked back.

The young actor has also worked up credits on Sunshine on Leith, River City and The Ginge, the Geordie and the Geek.

John, who started acting when he was around six-years-old, said: “I read a lot and I used to like reading out loud, making up different voices and accents for characters in the book. My mum suggested drama classes as a fun way to use my imagination and make good friends.

“I like performing as part of a group in drama class.

“The best experience so far was definitely getting to go to the premier of Sunshine on Leith. There were so many people wanting photos and autographs.” John Spence starred in the eagerly awaited musical Sunshine on Leith in 2013 and stole the show to such an extent that the film-makers added an extra scene just to give him more time on film.

Mum Angie said: “It’s been pretty surreal, but we’re so supportive and proud of him. It’s what he’s best at. We sent him to football, that didn’t work out so much, but drama works.”