Primary pair picked to join A-listers in The Railway Man

They may still be in primary school, but they already have stars in their eyes.

Pint-sized actors Lennon Cherrie and Lewis Binnie, both from Whitburn, West Lothian, have been rubbing shoulders with A-list stars.

The talented pair were selected from thousands of hopefuls to appear in The Railway Man alongside Hollywood stars Nicole Kidman and Colin Firth.

The film tells the true story of Scotsman Eric Lomax, who was captured by the Japanese in Singapore during the Second World War and forced to help build the Burma Railway, also known as the “Death Railway”.

Film shoots have taken place at locations including Edinburgh and North Berwick.

Ten-year-old Lennon and Lewis, nine, are both pupils at St Joseph’s Primary and take classes at the UK Theatre School in Glasgow.

The acting school’s casting agency was approached by the film’s producers to provide children for the making of The Railway Man.

Last month, the delighted pair were given the chance to meet Kidman and Firth during breaks in filming.

As would be expected in the industry, both have been sworn to secrecy about what happened on the set until the film comes out.

Lewis, who got into acting to be like his idol, Bathgate-born David Tennant, has already appeared on national television, having been chosen to star in the new Irn-Bru advert.

Lennon has just finished filming with the National Boys Choir for Songs of Praise at Dunblane Cathedral for a St Andrew’s Day special.

Lennon’s mother, Caroline, 31, a stay-at-home mum, said: “He just got into the theatre school after he got through an audition in March.

“I was just delighted when we were told that he had been given a part in The Railway Man and that he would be working alongside the stars. We were so shocked but so proud of him at the same time.”

She added that despite meeting the stars, Lennon had not yet demanded his own caravan.

Lewis’ father, Graham Binnie, 39, a college lecturer, said: “We’re really proud of Lewis – the opportunities he has been given are just unbelievable.

“He got into acting about two-and-a-half years ago. He really wants to be David Tennant in Doctor Who.”

UK Theatre School principal Lizanne Thomson said: “Lewis is a great actor, he puts his all into every performance and delivers great work each time.

“Lennon has only been coming to the school for a few months and we are delighted that he has been given this job so early on.”