A SHOPKEEPER'S prayers to be an actor were answered this week . . . when he hit TV screens playing a vicar! Acting novice Clint Jollie, 39, landed his reverential role in a short film which featured on Wednesday night's midweek National Lottery draw programme.

His screen debut came after BBC producers put out an appeal for extras to appear in scenes of a 'hippy wedding' which formed part of a National Lottery Good Luck story.

But while Clint thought he would only be playing a hippy wedding guest the director had other ideas, landing the Blackrod man with a starring part as the vicar.

And on Wednesday night his family and friends were able to watch as Clint, of Manchester Road, Blackrod, 'officiated' while the TV couple exchanged vows.

He said: "I was only supposed to be an extra. I've never done anything like this before and I ended up with a speaking part. "I've never done any acting but the first role I have was a speaking part and was screened on BBC. That can't be bad."

Last Thursday Clint travelled to Hollingworth Lake, near Rochdale, for the day's filming.

Clint, who says he's not yet been likened to his more famous American movie star name-sake, watched his starring role surrounded by his mates at a local pub.

The dad-of-two says he would even consider closing his Hindley-based catalogue shop to pursue an acting career, but only if the price was right.

He joked: "I was watching the Manchester United game on Wednesday night and the film was on at half-time so all my mates saw it. I've had some ribbing about it.

"They have kept my number and said they might be in touch in the future. It was all really professional. There must have been about 30 people involved, including the crew. It was great fun to do."

Converted for the new archive on 14 July 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.