Peter Pan actor 'honoured' by award nomination

An actor who found fame portraying a witch on Britain's Got Talent has said he is "blown away" to be nominated in the Best Actor category at the National Film Awards.

Martin Portlock from Shropshire was shortlisted alongside actors including Gary Oldman, David Tennant and Martin Freeman for his role in the horror movie, Peter Pan's Neverland Nightmare.

He said it was a "huge thing for an up-and-coming actor".

"I don't think I'm going to stand much of a chance" he added, "but it is all through a public vote, so you never know".

The award ceremony is due to take place on 2 July and Mr Portlock said even if he did not win, "there may be career opportunities that come from it".

His creepy portrayal of a witch on Britain's Got Talent in 2022 was watched on Youtube more than nine million times and helped land him the role in the Peter Pan movie.

He said he had been working on another movie, Gallowmere, when a make-up artist mentioned his performance on the show to the director of Peter Pan's Neverland Nightmare, Scott Chambers.

Mr Portlock got the role and he said the horror industry seemed to be taking an interest in him.

"One day I hope to do something different, but for now its a good path," he said.

Mr Portlock said he really enjoyed fantasy or science fiction roles, but joked: "For some reason I get typecast, maybe it's because I look so pretty."

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