Richard Madden transforms into Elton John’s former boyfriend as he’s pictured on set of Rocketman for first time
RICHARD Madden has transformed into Elton John's former boyfriend for his latest movie role.
The Bodyguard star, 32, has been pictured for the first time on the set set of upcoming biopic Rocketman.
The film, directed by Dexter Fletcher, will follow Sir Elton's life his years as a prodigy at the Royal Academy of Music through to his influential musical partnership with lyricist Bernie Taupin, played by Jamie Bell.
The film is likely to be released in the summer of 2019.
Richard plays John Reid, Elton John’s long-term manager and lover.
Richard said: “Between filming, I eat pizza, drink, don’t work out, get fat.
Most read in TV & Showbiz
"Then it’s six weeks until you have to be naked again — if you’re lucky. I have ten days until I take my clothes off again this time.”
Playing the Rocket Man singer himself is Taron Egerton — also a straight actor in a gay role.
Richard says: “I think we’re f***ed if we start going down the route of, ‘You can only play a gay part if you’re a gay actor’.
“Diversity, equality and pay — of course we need to make sure of all that.
"But at the same time I read reports that so-and-so has pulled out of this role because they’re not transgender and you go, ‘Yeah but they’re a f***ing actor and they’re probably really f***ing good in the part and maybe that’s part of the reason why that film is getting made’.”
Richard is no stranger to gritty storylines and controversial topics.
"He got his first shot at the limelight aged 13 in an adaptation of Iain Banks’ novel Complicity.
He recalls: “My first scene saw me getting raped by a big, 50-year-old ginger Scotsman.”
Growing up in a working-class family, Richard had no showbiz contacts to call on.
His mum Pat was a classroom assistant and his dad, Richard Snr, a fireman. After a spell with Paisley Art Centre’s youth theatre programme, he “dodged” a couple years of school, acting in the CBBC series Barmy Aunt Boomerang.
He says: “So I was like, ‘I’m going to be acting and not go to school. And get paid.’ ”
Got a story? email [email protected] or call us direct on 02077824220.
We pay for videos too. Click here to upload yours.