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Exclusive Movie Idol In Daring Mission To Honour Army Girl Star Wars Hero Braves Dangers Of Iraq To Meet Bomb Expert Michelle

ACTOR Ewan McGregor had only been asleep for a few hours when the sirens started wailing.

At 4.30 in the morning, this was the warning of a coming mortar attack - and the signal for everyone to throw themselves to the floor and pull on armour-plated jackets and helmets.

It sounds like a scene out of a film, but this was for real. And even though it turned out to be a false alarm, it was a stark awakening to the dangers that face our brave troops in Iraq every day.

The Scots star had arrived in Basra, southern Iraq, hours earlier to present a Pride of Britain award - given by the Record's sister paper, the Mirror-to Staff Sergeant Michelle Cunningham.

Despite the risks, Ewan was so impressed by the bravery of Britain's only female bomb disposal officer in Iraq that he was determined to present the award to her himself.

The presentation will be part of the Pride of Britain Awards to be shown on Wednesday on ITV1 at 9pm.

Michelle, 32, was nominated for the Mirror award by the Army for "displaying complete disregard for her personal safety" by single-handedly extinguishing a fire at an explosives factory in Middle Wallop, Hampshire, last year.

Firefighters had decided it was too dangerous to go inside.

Even though Michelle knew she could be blown up at any minute, she entered, went to the heart of the fire and got it under control.

It was an incredible act of courage but, for Michelle and her unit, it was just another day at work, where danger is ever-present.

Ewan, 36, said: "I'm just so amazed by Michelle and her unit's courage.

"She's fantastic. I would never have the guts to do what she does. Most people, and I'm one of them, would run a million miles from a bomb.

"But Michelle actually walks towards them and makes them safe. Amazing.

"When I was asked to go and present the award to her in Iraq, I said yes because I really wanted to meet her and show my support.

"It's important that we should pay tribute to Michelle and people like her who are prepared to put their lives in danger like this for others because we all rely on them. And how many of us can match their bravery?"

At the Basra air base, it was immediately clear that Ewan's visit was a welcome morale boost and diversion for the 5500 British servicemen and women there.

It's been some time since a film star landed at Basra International.

Laughing and joking, Ewan happily signed autographs and posed for pictures with the troops as he was given a tour of the base.

One airman, who took his photo on his mobile, joked to the Star Wars actor: "May the Forces be with you, Ewan."

And during a guided tour, the troops gave him an idea of the wide range of dangerous combat operations they undertake. In the dog pound, he was attacked by an Alsatian trained to chase terrorists - fortunately, they gave him a protective sleeve to wear first.

Ewan rode on tanks and armoured personnel carriers and tested their weapons.

He also opened a new medical unit and took to the air in a Lynx helicopter to see the vast scale of the base.

General Graham Binns, the commander of British forces in Iraq, told him: "We really are grateful to you for coming out here.

"I know there's been a lot of excitement on the camp about it.

"And it's been a great morale boost that you've taken the trouble, not without personal risk, to come and show your support for everyone here."

Ewan, whose brother Colin served in the RAF as a Tornado pilot, said: "For acivilian to wake up in Basra airport is very bizarre, but I've been so touched and in awe of the people I've met."

And none impressed him more than Pride of Britain winner Michelle and her colleagues in the Explosive Ordnance Disposal Regiment.

After demonstrating the equipment they use to defuse bombs and carrying out a controlled explosion on a car, they invited him to wear a heavy protective anti-blast suit used when approaching explosives.

He said: "I can't imagine what it must be like to don that suit and walk out there in this heat with an explosive device to try to defuse. Just incredible."

As he presented Michelle with her award, surrounded by 200 cheering troops, Ewan asked why she chose such a dangerous career.

Laughing, she admitted: "I didn't really.

"I used to work in stores, ordering vehicle parts, and was sent on the wrong training course.

"I kept wondering why they were telling me how to defuse bombs but I thought it was a cool job." She modestly added: "I'm no hero. I'm just doing a job. I love it.

"There aren't many jobs where you feel you can make a difference and people thank you."

Ewan summed up his feelings in a broadcast to the troops on British Forces Radio towards the end of his visit.

He said: "I just want you to know you're all very far from home but we're all thinking about you back in Britain.

"And we're all really proud about what you are doing here."

DONT MISS EWAN ON THE PRIDE OF BRITAIN AWARDS, WEDNESDAY, ITV1, AT 9PM


Thanks to Patty for the picture find!

The dvd of Ewan and Charlie's second bike ride form the northern tip of Scotland to the bottom of Sth Africa will be available for purchase from December 3rd at Amazon.com Also available from Amazon is the companion book and available from the 11th of October

Thursday, January 11, 2007 23:59 IST
What’s the best thing about playing the role of Obi-Wan Kenobi?

The light-saber action! It’s surreal. It’s hard to believe that you’re actually on a set being paid to play around with a light saber. I wouldn’t trade it for the world.

I’ve actually become a decent swordsman after working on three movies. I hate that’s it’s all over. I really do miss it.

How much are you being paid by George Lucas (filmmaker)?

George has been very generous. I’m making more than actors Harrison Ford and Mark Hamill combined for what they made for the originals.

Have you been approached to do James Bond?

I’m not really interested. It would be the role of a lifetime, but they want a multi-film commitment.

That would be like almost 10 years of my life. They like to make a Bond film every two years.

I would spend all my time on Bond and miss out on a bunch of tasty roles. Anyway, it would be hard to follow in the footsteps of legends like Sean (Connery) and Pierce (Brosnan).

What made you sing in ‘Moulin Rouge’?

It was something out of the ordinary. A real challenge! I like to do unconventional films and keep people guessing. That film did pretty well. So I have no regrets. I don’t think I sound all that bad.

Did you get to score with Nicole Kidman?

I’m a happily married man and Nicole is a lady. So of course, nothing happened. She’s very lovely and I enjoyed working with her. It was a treat.

How do you deal with paparazzi?

I don’t like it. What I hate more than anything is when they take pictures of my daughter.

I always try and keep her out of everything. I don’t want to soil her childhood. Also, I don’t want people to know what she looks like.

Did you always want to be an actor?

I wanted to be an actor at the age of nine. I remember asking my uncle Dennis (Lawson) as to how I could become an actor. He told me to come back in 10 years. I’ve never wanted to do anything else.

People say that you signed up ‘Star Wars’ for money?

It’s not true. I loved ‘Star Wars’ as a kid. I used to know all the dialogues. I just wanted to be in it. Wherever I’ve been in the world, it’s the one film that most people remember me in.

It’s by no means my best performance. But it’s great with the kids. I love that.

Are you surprised that you have become so successful?

Yes, because I am a terrible actor. Every day I am amazed. I thank my lucky stars that I fooled you all this time. My boyhood dreams have come true with ‘Star Wars’.

‘Star Wars: The Complete Saga’ airs on Star Movies

Tons more HQ images of Ewan and Charley HERE

The 2006 Dakar had its fair share of dramas for Patsy but this time the luck was there.
Among the first to congratulate Patsy was her sister Angie and actor Ewan McGregor, who had also flown out to the finish to support fellow ‘Long Way Round’ companion Charley Boorman who had also took part in the 2006 event.
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