Ooh-aah,film star... Johnny’s a film star

Oldhamers team-up with United legend Cantona in new film ‘Looking For Eric’
FILM fans are eagerly awaiting cult director Ken Loach’s new movie which captures the spirit of Manchester and stars former United icon Eric Cantona. There are many Oldham connections in “Looking For Eric”, including an acting debut from Chadderton singer Johnny Travis as well as an appearance from Saddleworth’s John Henshaw. Chronicle reporter Richard Hooton found out more . . .
TO meet acclaimed director Ken Loach and Old Trafford legend Eric Cantona was a dream come true for Oldhamer Johnny Travis who had never even contemplated a career as an actor.

Now the pub and club singer (46) is hoping the Manchester-based movie will earn him more roles and even catapult him into the big time.

“Looking For Eric” has a Manchester cast featuring a host of local comedians, including Derker-born Mick Ferry, Justin Moorhouse, Smug Roberts, Greg Cook and Des Sharples.

English director Ken Loach is renowned for his gritty, realistic films with a social conscience such as “Kes”, “Cathy Come Home” and Palme d’Or winner “The Wind that Shakes The Barley”.

Salford actor Steve Evets plays the main role of Eric with Saddleworth’s John Henshaw, he of the Post Office commercials and star of cult BBC comedy “Early Doors”, also taking a major role.

“Shameless” star Gerard Kearns (Ian Gallagher), from Mossley, and former “Coronation Street” actress Lucy-Jo Hudson, who played wild child Katy Harris, are also in the cast.

It was a fellow Oldhamer who set Johnny on the way to winning the lead role of his namesake “Travis”.

When a casting company told agents they were looking for a singer, Fiona Hallshaw, who runs an agency in Blackpool, thought of Johnny.

The 46-year-old said: “She had seen my Manchester show and put me forward. It was quite strange as I got talking to Fiona after and found out we were both born in the same place, Werneth Park. It was an Oldham girl looking after an Oldham lad.

And after countless auditions, Johnny beat a horde of other hopefuls to the part.

“Ken said he picked me as singers make the best actors,” he added.

“I wanted to sing in the film and thought that’s what my part would be. I thought I would sing some old cabaret tune but that’s not what he had in store for me.”

The film, which mixes comedy with emotional drama, is about a football fanatic postman on the verge of a nervous breakdown who finds a special life coach in the guise of his hero Eric Cantona (pictured).

It also has a sub-plot about the FC United of Manchester breakaway club and features their players.

“Legend has it that footballer-turned-actor Cantona approached Loach to make a film based on the special relationship he has with his adoring Old Trafford fans.

As a Red, Johnny was over the moon to work with the enigmatic Frenchman.

He said: “Cantona is quite tall. He’s deceiving. He has his beard and he’s quiet and brooding. He was idolised on set.

“I was quite curious as to what his best ever goal was and he just said ‘ze next goal is ze best.’

“But this is a proper Manchester film, which makes it so good. It is a great city. It’s vibrant and the place to be. The music and nightlife is fantastic.”

The movie, which Cantona also co-produced, will premiere in June before going out to cinemas.