being shot by Hollywood superstars Steven Spielberg and Tom Hanks.

Jonathan Young, a stand-up comic on the London comedy circuit, was offered the speaking part of a US Army Lieutenant in the WW II blockbuster `Band of Brothers', starring David Scwhimmer who plays Ross in the sitcom `Friends'.

He won the role after six gruelling auditions -- and a personal interview with director Tom Hanks.

But last night he revealed he was on the verge of giving up hope of an acting career when he was persuaded by his agent -- who talent-spotted him at a comedy venue -- to try one more audition.

Jonathan said: "I got sent to a lot of auditions -- it was getting to the point where I was getting put up for all these roles and I said it was useless and I'd like to leave the agency.

"They said `okay' -- but they said there was one more and I decided to go to it. That was it.'' And the star of `Saving Private Ryan' was so impressed with the 27-year-old, he agreed to work the shooting schedule around his day job as a creator of animated computer web sites.

Now Jonathan -- son of businessman Ward Young and UBP MP Kim Young -- is being picked up by limousine from his home at dawn.

And he is whisked to an old airfield near London for filming of the big-budget film.

He said: "It's hilarious -- it's the funniest thing I've ever done. It's like being in a school play, except everyone's famous.

"You get in costume for this army role with all these actors and military men to make sure it's authentic.

"David Schwimmer salutes me -- these are people my friends in college had pictures of on their walls and they're saluting me. A lot of them are method actors and they really get into it.'' But Jonathan added he was not sure if he would consider more acting roles.

He said: "I don't know -- I work for an Internet company and that's certainly a worthwhile thing. This is one of the things where you just have to wait and see.

Island actor gets major US break "It's tough for me to project acting taking an active role in my career -- I can do the comedy, but I'm not an actor -- I don't even know how I got through the gate.'' Ms Young said: "There are people all over the place he's seen on the movies -- he's really excited about it.

"It's just amazing the way it's all been done.'' The mini-series is centred around the 1944 D-Day landings in France -- the same time period as the multiple Oscar-winner "Saving Private Ryan'' which was directed by Spielberg who is producer of "Band of Brothers.'' Ms Young added: "They're working around Jonathan's work schedule which is really nice.

"They obviously wanted him enough to make a few concessions, which is good.'' And she said: "There's been a lot of information in the newspaper about the Bermuda Film Festival.

"It's nice to see a Bermudian in a role with all these big-time Hollywood people.''