Intergalactic enemies were once flatmates

Their characters in Star Wars were sworn enemies on opposing sides of a galactic battle.

However, it has now been revealed that, despite their onscreen animosity, Scottish actors Denis Lawson and Ian McDiarmid were once flatmates.

Crieff-born Denis played rebel pilot Wedge Antilles in the film while Ian took on the role of the villainous Emperor Palpatine.

But while their characters hated each other, Denis and Ian were best buddies.

Denis said: “Ian McDiarmid, the Emperor, and I started off in amateur dramatics in Dundee.

“I met Ian when I was 17 and we did five or six productions together.”

“We both auditioned for Glasgow drama school the same day.

“We both were accepted, we went through drama school together, we shared flats together, so when I meet him now it’s kind of surreal the journey we’ve been on.”

Denis added that, contrary to rumour, he never told his nephew Ewan McGregor, who played Obi Wan Kenobi in the prequel films, not to take on the role.

He said: “I have that privilege to be Ewan’s uncle and he’s fabulous.

“He did see me when he was eight or nine, in Star Wars and he was terribly excited by that.

“All I said was, ‘Be careful’. You can get so identified with a role it can be hard to move on’.”

Denis Lawson.

Ian McDiarmid.