Paul Harper, 53, will appear on the silver screen as a specialist extra, alongside rising star James McAvoy.

Paul, who lives with his wife, Maria and two daughters, Natasha and Melissa, is known locally as an entertainer, playing his ukelele and performing musical impressions of 1940s greats such as Max Miller, George Formby, James Cagney and Al Bowlly at events all over the country.

But when British film makers saw Paul's website, advertising his services as a 1940s entertainer, they asked him if he would consider a role as a specialist extra. Paul jumped at the chance.

He said: "What attracted me to the role was mainly the fact that part of the film is set in the 1940s and it is a time in history which I love.

"I was more looking forward to seeing the £3.5m set, which was built on Redcar beach, than meeting the stars of the film, but James McAvoy was a very nice bloke. I was even talking to his grandparents who were on set!"

Paul, who plays a sergeant in the British Expeditionary Force, said that Joe Wright, the director of the film was impressed with how much he knew about the 1940s and even asked him for his advice on what song the cast should sing in the cinema scene.

Paul said: "He came up to me and asked me if I'd like to have a singing part in the scene set in a French bar. When I accepted, he asked me what song I thought we should all sing.

"I suggested Bless Them All, but not the normal version - the army version which is a lot ruder! Joe Wright agreed and then I was miked-up and put on set.

"The next day, Joe said he was really happy with the scene and asked me to look at the rushes. This was a big deal, the fact that Joe Wright acknowledged me and he asked me my opinion."

Paul said he also used his musical talents to teach the cast a song on set: "We were in the cinema scene and not everyone knew the words to the White Cliffs of Dover so I was asked to get up on stage and teach them it. This was hair-raising."

Paul, who works at PP Profiles Steelworks in Batley, was asked to perform at the 'rap up' party, when all the filming was completed.
He said: "I got up on stage and sang to all the cast and crew. I got a really good reception!"

Paul also met Ian McEwan, the author of the best-selling novel on which the film is based. He told Paul that the scenes he saw were very close to how he imagined them when he wrote the book.

But Paul hasn't let the experience go to his head and he will still carry on with his 1940s act.

He will be appearing at Roberttown Community Centre on Saturday, September 22, from 7.30pm to 11pm.

Tickets are £6. Call Keith Benson on 07816 681422 for more information.
Atonement is in cinemas now.