A young actor from Dunmow is gaining fame as the tea-cup, Chip, a lead role in the new film of Beauty and the Beast.

Dunmow Broadcast: Nathan Mack attending the Beauty and the Beast launch event in London. Picture: MATT CROSSICK/PA WIRENathan Mack attending the Beauty and the Beast launch event in London. Picture: MATT CROSSICK/PA WIRE (Image: PA)

Nathan Mack, 12, began acting aged seven with the theatre school Stagecoach, which soon recommended that he get an agent.

Now he has shared cups of tea and sweets during takes with top Hollywood stars including Emma Thompson who plays Mrs Potts and Ian McKellen who plays Cogsworth, the clock.

The new movie, filmed at Shepperton Studios, is a live-action version of Disney’s 1991 animated film and it also stars Harry Potter’s Emma Watson as Belle and Downton Abbey’s Dan Stevens as the Beast.

Nathan said: “The actors said what a fun film it was with such nice people working on it.

Dunmow Broadcast: Nathan MackNathan Mack (Image: Archant)

“I asked them what it is like working as a full-time actor. They said they did a lot of interviews and I thought that’s great because I like them.

“At the film’s premiere, there was a line of 40 reporters.”

The original Disney cartoon was already a favourite with Nathan who has the DVD at home. His favourite part is the Gaston Dance.

He said: “I knew I wanted to be an actor when I was older – when my teacher said I should get an agent, I thought I would get a few advertisements and little parts.

“I had two auditions for Beauty and the Beast. My mum told me at the school gates that I had got the part and I didn’t believe her, sometimes she is a bit like that, joking with me. But then she showed me the email.

“I really wasn’t expecting it. I thought there was maybe a chance, maybe not, if I don’t get it, then it wasn’t the role for me.”

Nathan said his school friends had been really pleased for him and there had been a whole-class outing to see the movie at the local cinema.

“They really liked it, though they were surprised at how I looked, I don’t look like me.”

Nathan says the roles he would love to play when he grows up are James Bond and Dr Who. His favourite Doctor Who is David Tennant and his favourite Bond is Daniel Craig.

In his drama school’s production of Bugsy Malone, he played Dandy Dan. He said: “I enjoyed playing the bad guy.”

His other hobbies are trampolining and playing the drums in a school band.

“I’ve had lessons at school since I was five. We practice at lunchtimes on Tuesdays and Wednesdays – we go up to the third floor and annoy the teachers.”