Brothers hit the movie big-time

Ellis (r) and Marcus Stothard

TWO brothers got a taste of stardom when their movie debut Spike Island premiered at London’s Leicester Square.

Marcus (6) and Ellis Stothard (9) impressed everyone who saw their movie - about friends who do everything they can to get into a sold-out Stone Roses gig - at the BFI’s London Film Festival.

The Chadderton brothers are all the more remarkable, given that Ellis was diagnosed with autism when he was two, and his parents told he might never be able to communicate normally.

Their proud mum Annmarie said: “He has really defied the odds and I’m so proud of both of them, but Ellis especially because he has overcome a lot to get this far. His confidence has just grown.”

Marcus will be in ITV drama Homefront next week, while Ellis has filmed a role in a CBBC show, due to be screened next year.

The pair began acting less than a year ago, when they joined Lees-based Jude’s Drama, run by Judith Barker.

Annmarie also sent their details to a management company, which offered them their parts in “Spike Island”, due out in March.

They appear alongside Oldham actor Nico Mirallegro, formerly of Hollyoaks, and Shameless actor Elliot Tittensor.

Both Ellis and Marcus are determined to pursue an acting career.

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