TOM HANKS is an Aston Villa fan. Jay Z is an Arsenal supporter. Sylvester Stallone is a keen follower of Everton FC.
And last week I thought I had a new superfan for Europe’s mightiest side, Partick Thistle.
I was chatting to the stunning Nicole Kidman ahead of her latest movie, Lion.
It’s a real-life tale of a remarkable boy called Saroo and his search for his family.
Nicole plays Sue Brierley, Saroo’s adoptive mother. As we chatted I asked the Aussie superstar how she bonded with Sunny Pawar, who plays the boy in question.
“I played cricket, I played sports,” Nicole laughed.
“I did actually! There are different ways in which you get on with children and with Sunny he loves cricket and he loves soccer. So I said, ‘OK! Out we go!’
“I have little girls myself so that’s not my forte but I gave it a good go.”
My mind was racing – perhaps I could give big Alan Archibald a ring and get Nicole along to Firhill for a trial with the mighty Partick Thistle.
Or maybe even get her along on match day for a pie and Bovril in the Jackie Husband stand.
Alas, it wasn’t to be.
“No, I’m terrible at soccer,” laughed Nicole. “But at least I made Sunny laugh.”
Sorry, Jags fans! She probably saw mascot Kingsley and didn’t fancy being in a horror film.
Nicole’s new movie is a cracking drama, which also stars British actor Dev Patel as the older Saroo.
I wondered if it was difficult playing a real-life character.
“It’s different. I’m lucky I have the opportunity to play these people and to try to find their essence as a person,” said Nicole.
“Sue was such a special person that it was an honour to play her.”
Sue Brierley adopted Saroo and Nicole is an adoptive mother herself. So I asked if she drew upon her own experiences.
“For this story it’s different but I think the theme of just being a mother whether you’re related or not – I think the world needs mothers,” she told me. “We need to support mothers.
“The power of the loving, healing, beautiful mother – there’s nothing like it!”
Well said Nicole, very eloquent.
Next week I’ll bring you more from my old pal The Rock and his new animated film, Moana.
Rock and roll … on next week!
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