'Singing salesman' film planned
2008-03-06 11:20
London - Hollywood studio Paramount
Pictures plans to make a film about Paul Potts, the cellphone
salesman and amateur tenor who became an overnight star when he
won the Britain's Got Talent television show in 2007.
Music impresario Simon Cowell, who created and judged the
show and who also appears on American Idol in the United
States, will co-produce the film, according to Hollywood trade
publication Variety.
Cowell called Potts' story "another Billy Elliot",
referring to the hit film about a boy who leaves a poor mining
town in England to become a ballet dancer in London.
"That particular day was one of the worst, the acts were
just terrible, we were fed up and on comes this guy with a funny
little suit and bad teeth who looked very nervous," Cowell told
Variety.
Instant popularity
"I can remember looking at the other judges, with that 'here
we go again' feeling. We had 2 000 people in the audience, and
I'll never forget how much the room changed when he began
singing."
After his victory and instant popularity in Britain, Potts
quickly recorded a debut album One Chance that sold three
million copies, according to Variety. He also is headlining 65
concert dates in 13 countries.
"Despite his success off the back of the show, the only
difference I see in him is that he got his teeth fixed," Cowell
said.