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Local lad Ian heads for super-stardom
From the Bolton Evening News, first published Monday 13th Dec 1999.
BOLTON actor Ian Aspinall could be heading for super-stardom in America and not many can begrudge him his success.
Former Tonge High School pupil Ian has starred in a host of TV programmes like City Central and Band of Gold, but his appearance in the hit film "East is East" is the one that could see his career really take off.
It has been bought by one of the world's major film distributors and the rumour is that it will soon be released across the Atlantic.
If it's as big there as it is here, Ian will become a household name.
He told the BEN it was great news - and that it would make up for the exhausting filming schedule.
"I was doing the second series of City Central at the same time so I used to be in Manchester during the week and then go to film East is East in a London," he said.
"It was shattering but it was it was very exciting, one of the most exciting periods of my career."
The film, about an Asian family growing up in the 1970s, has been a smash hit since it opened in cinemas throughout the country.
Ian, in his first film role, plays the part of Nicer and he's hoping the film will become huge in America.
He said: "There have been a few rumours about it opening in America and it will be great if it does. "I've never been over there so it will be nice to go out to a few premieres and have a look around, but we'll have to wait and see how it goes. It would be nice to do more films and do something in America but I'm a realist. I'm just enjoying the moment."
As soon as Ian saw the script for East is East he sensed it was going to be big and had no hesitation in taking the part.
He'd already become a big name here because of his TV work, most notably City Central - the BBC police drama which starred fellow Bolton actor Paul Nicholls.
Ian is filming a third series of City Central at the moment but admits he hasn't always been so busy. He spent several years as a musician before becoming an actor and knows what it's like to be out of work.
Dole
Although he probably won't have to worry about unemployment again, Ian takes nothing for granted.
"It's great that I'm busy but this is a strange industry," he said. "When filming for City Central ends in February I could be back on the dole."
Ian told the BEN that although he's all but moved out of Bolton he still maintains strong links with the town. Reliving his days as a musician in bands like TV Dinners, he visits Bolton's music venues like Dirty Nellies whenever he gets the chance.
And just to show his community side, he even appeared at the Blackrod Carnival earlier this year.
That something for the locals to brag about when Ian - with a bit of luck - becomes an international acting superstar.
Converted for the new archive on 14 July 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.
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