Alec revealed his resemblance to the famous actor had helped him land the part, which sees him play Snape in a flashback to the Hogwarts teacher’s youth. A former Kennet School and Newbury College pupil, Alec was put forward for the role by the director of the local Shining Lights theatre group, Peter Watt. After sending in some pictures, Alec was called in for an interview, but faced a nerve-wracking four-month wait for news that he’d secured the part.

“Alan Rickman spent a couple of hours having a chat with me about the part and obviously that was nerve wracking; there was me as a nobody and then this famous actor. He’s very serious about acting but he likes to joke around. It was really nice and it surprised me - I thought a big star would be different but he was so nice.”

“The part is pretty easy as it’s such a small scene, but because the character has been portrayed by someone before, it’s about taking someone’s characteristics and trying to copy them. I watched how he moved, spoke and the emotions he goes through. He also gave me some pointers about the character – how he would walk and hold himself, like keeping a straight back.”