‘Billionaire Boy’ gets a big surprise
STAR OF TV ADAPTATION GETS IN TOUCH OVER COSTUME
A Sunderland youngster got an extra special surprise from a film star on World Book Day.
A chance conversation, which began over a quilt cover, ended in Bobby Hudson getting a birthday message from the real Billionaire Boy, the character he was dressing up as on World Book Day.
The Washington youngster, who celebrated his tenth birthday on World Book Day, was thrilled when he got the good wishes from Elliot Sprakes, who played the role of Billionaire Boy in the BBC’s adaptation of David Walliams’ popular children’s book.
Elliot said: “Happy Birthday Bobby. Enjoy being me on World Book Day.”
When Bobby’s mum, Carol Hudson, placed a message on Facebook saying she had picked up a bargain quilt cover for £1, it set off a chain of events which led to the message.
Linda Reed, a neighbour and Facebook friend of Carol, saw the message and got in touch.
She explained: “I make costumes for a re-enactment group I am in and I am always looking for cheap material to make the underskirts, so I messaged Carol to ask if the shop had had anymore.
“We got chatting and she asked if by any chance I had any of those fake bank notes lying about.”
As luck would have it, Linda did have some and told Carol to pop up to her Horsley Road home for them.
“It transpired she needed them to make a costume for Bobby, a pupil at Barmston Village Primary School, for World Book Day so he could go as Billionaire Boy.
Linda said: “I couldn’t believe it because I have been friend’s with Elliot’s family for years, because we are in the same re-enactment group.
“I phoned his dad, Christian, to see if I could get a copy of the book signed by Elliot for Bobby, but he said he could do one better.”
Christian filmed Elliot wishing Bobby a happy birthday and hoping he had a good day as Billionaire Boy, which Linda passed on to Carol.
Linda said: “It was absolutely nuts that this all came about because of a quilt cover! It really made me smile.”
Carol, who lives in Waskerly Road, said: “I couldn’t believe it. Bobby was over the moon. He couldn’t believe it was Billionaire Boy himself sending the message.”
World Book Day costumes ... Pages 8&9
“It’ s absolutely nuts this all came about because of a quilt cover!” LINDA REED