WHAT’S IT LIKE BEING PSYCHO BEGBIE’S DOUBLE? MAD!
Rutherglen actor Andy is a stand-in star for new Trainspotting sequel
A Rutherglen man is set to be watched by millions of movie goers across the world as body double to Trainspotting’s iconic psychopath Francis Begbie.
Andy Ferguson, from Dalmarnock Road, was left stunned when the makers of Trainspotting 2 asked him to fill in for Robert Carlyle in certain scenes.
The 31-year-old was on set as an extra when producers spotted his similar build to the actor, who has brought the character back to the big screen.
Still just a student of acting and performance at Glasgow City College, Andy said: “I’m just dumbfounded by the whole thing.
“I went in for a day as an extra and was just asked out of the blue if I wanted to audition as Robert Carlyle’s body double. I don’t actually look like him, it was just our build, but when I put the wig and moustache on, there was a likeness.
“It was only supposed to be three days running about Edinburgh, but I ended up going in 14 times in all.
“It was mad. You’re very aware that you’re on camera and portraying a character someone else is playing.
“I didn’t really need to get into character. I had an understanding from reading the books and watching the original film, so I knew how to carry myself and I had plenty of direction on set.
Andy was introduced to Robert Carlyle and Ewan McGregor, with whom he shared a scene, on set.
But he admitted it wasn’t all plain sailing throughout filming.
“It was hellish running in those loafers,” he laughs.
“There’s a scene where I’m chasing Ewan McGregor through Edinburgh and we were laughing so much that my fake moustache fell off.
“Robert Carlyle didn’t really speak much but when I met him he gave me a pat on the shoulder and went to watch how I looked on screen.
“I didn’t really bother them, I just kept to myself.”
Trainspotting 2 is the most hotly anticipated British flick in years.
It catches up with Renton, Sick Boy, Begbie and Spud 20 years after the original film which ended with Renton making off with the money they had made from a drugs deal.
Andy has already seen the finished work, heading along to an early-morning showing last Friday.
And he reckons fans of the original will not be disappointed.
“It’s really good, although it’s weird for me because I knew which bits were me,” he said. “I would suggest people watch the first one, if they haven’t already, and read the books.”
I was chasing Ewan McGregor and we were laughing so much that my fake moustache fell off!