THE MAN BEHIND THE MASK

If Dave Prowse had taken up George Lucas’s first offer, all sci-fi history would have been changed.

After auditioning in 1977 for his up and coming film, Star Wars – which was at the time not expected to do too well at the box office – the 6ft 7in former Mr Universe contestant was offered the part of Chewbacca, but instead plumped for Darth Vader.

And there, as they say, history was made.

Dave may not have voiced the role, as that was done by American actor James Earl Jones, but he has since forever been linked with the franchise, which did, in fact, do quite well at the box office.

It wasn’t his only famous role – he was also the Green Cross Code Man in adverts in the 1970s, a superhero designed to teach children about road safety, a role he reprised three years ago briefly. He was also in A Clockwork Orange before he landed the role in Star Wars. During his weightlifting days, he became friends with Arnold Schwarzenegger and Lou Ferrigno, who later played the Incredible Hulk. He had a gym in London, which was later run by his brother Bob, who now runs his own gym in Armstrong Road, Maidstone.

He also famously trained Christopher Reeve for the title role in the first Superman movie (1978).

Dave will be meeting visitors at the festival. It will cost £30 for an autograph.