Billy Elliott Steals Into London

The star of last night's Billy Elliott premiere in London was lucky to be there at all. 14-year-old Jamie Bell, who plays the title role was a year short of the 15 certificate awarded to the film, but cinema chiefs looked the other way as the teenager took his place in the Empire cinema in London's Leicester Square. 'I just hope they don't send me back out the door,' he joked to reporters. A generous smattering of stars turned up to f e the British film that's being hailed as an Oscar-winner, including the film's director Stephen Daldry, and Bell's co-star Julie Walters as well as Alan Rickman, Jonny Lee-Miller, Kathy Burke and comedian Vic Reeves. Hugh Grant, who spent the evening chatting to his companion - Liz Hurley's sister Kate - spared a moment to chat to Empire Online about the movie. 'It's fantastic,' he enthused. 'The first time I was in a screening room on my own and I absolutely wailed.' Now that he's finished Bridget Jones, the actor is poised to sign up for a new British movie in the next week or so. 'I promised myself I'd never act after the age of 40, but I'm in imminent danger of signing up for a new film.' he told us. 'It's UK based and we'll be filming in the UK but it's financed with American money.'