IAN Virgo can't stop smiling. On a night out with friends in Caldicot his life changed forever - with one phone call.

It all started when the 20-year-old was spotted by movie moguls when he was performing in a play during his college days.

Ian was spotted by the casting director of Ridley Scott's new film, Black Hawk Down. "I was playing an American soldier in a play called Little Me," Ian said.

"The director was watching another actor and she noticed me. She called me over and asked me to audition for a part in the television series Brothers in Blue, directed by Steven Spielberg.

"I was not successful with that audition, but a few weeks later, when I was out drinking with my mates in Caldicot, I had a call to say I had got a part in Black Hawk Down. Then, in a drunken state, I had to organise everything because I had to fly out to boot camp in the United States the next day."

The movie, based on a book by Mark Bowden, is a true story about the events of two days in October 1993, when the American army invaded Somalia, where the US Army special operations command soldiers fought their bloodiest battle in decades. The young actor plays American soldier John Waddell.

This film, which promises to be a smash hit, is Ian's first movie project after his graduation from the Royal Academy of Music in London. "I cannot complain about working with people like Ridley Scott and Ewan McGregor on my first film," he said. "It is a true-life war epic."

And he doesn't complain about boot camp, either. It was at Ford Benning, in Georgia, and the cast of the film were put through intensive army training to show what real soldiers have to put up with. "Boot camp was real hard graft but it was awesome," said Ian.

"I used to jump out of bed at 6am, put on my army uniform and join the others for a three-mile run. Then we used to stop and do push-ups, press-ups and pull-ups. "By doing a lot of team-building exercises it brought us all closer together and helped us build a strong rapport.

"It's every boy's dream to star in a film like this. It is hard work and very long hours, but I love it.

"It's non-stop action. People getting shot, lots of bloodshed and battle scenes. Black Hawk Down is like the first 20 minutes of Saving Private Ryan over and over again. "Filming is hard work. I've got a six-day week, working for 12 hours a day, but I love it." Speaking about Ridley Scott, Ian said: "He is an excellent guy but is very hard-working."

He also gives glowing compliments to co-stars Ewan McGregor, Ioan Gruffudd and the rest of the cast, saying: "They're real level-headed, down-to-earth lads."

Ian started filming in late February and is currently at home having a break with his family and friends. He will fly back out to Morocco next week to finish the movie. "It is great to be back home among family and friends," said the former Caldicot Comprehensive School pupil.

"It is not lonely filming, but it's nice to see mates who you grew up with and know you well. During my break I have been going out with my mates a lot, going camping up Wentwood. It's been great."