film news

What's it like being in Cannes?

Keith Lemon: It's the first time I've ever been. I didn't know what to imagine - it's crazy, innit? And I've only been here for a day! I came with Kelly Brook this morning - almost didn't get here because I brought the wrong passport - I brought my girlfriend's! (laughs) It's weird down there (points to the Croisette) having your photograph taken - actually, it's just weird having your photo with Kelly Brook! I don't know what my mates are gonna say - they'll either be happy for me, or go 'you w****r!'

So you're here promoting your first film - what can moviegoers expect from it?

Keith Lemon: I think you'll expect everything you're hoping to expect and probably a bit more... (laughs) I'm not like I am on Celebrity Juice - there's elements of that but [in the film] I'm not just [making fun of] Holly [Willoughby] and Fearne [Cotton]. There's a 'journey' - this is so rubbish, but I always say 'I showed it to my mum...' (laughs) and she was shocked at how much of a proper film it was. I think she was expecting some sort of mockumentary. I don't think she knows what that is, she'd probably say 'Is it one of them documentaries where it's not real?' (laughs). It's set in a hyper-real world and it's like an origin story.

How did you find the experience of making it?

Keith Lemon: This has been three years in the making! I've never made a film and it's the director's first film, so they didn't trust us... So it starts with me coming to London in search of success, and I don't get it, and then I come across a product which I rename, and have overnight success, and then it goes to my head. So I forget all about where I came from and who me mates are and who me girlfriend is and I get hooked up with the gold-digger Kelly Brook...

Playing herself?

Keith Lemon: Yes! Art imitating life, the gold-digging wench! (laughs) She's been amazing though, I told her 'Don't do any other films apart from with me', because I'd like to recreate what the Carry On... movies were and just do a series of films with the same cast in different scenarios.

Like a 'Keith Lemon company'?

Keith Lemon: A little bit!

Were the Carry On... films an inspiration for you?

Keith Lemon: Totally. And every time one of those films was on telly, I felt a bit lucky - you know even if you own Jurassic Park on DVD, if it's on ITV2, you watch it! Or Gremlins is always on Channel 5! (laughs) It's like a gift.

Now you're best known for Celebrity  Juice - are there going to be starry cameos in the film?

Keith Lemon: Many celebrity cameos! Every guest - well, not every guest - that's been on Juice is in the film. I think there's about 14 cameos. Holly and Fearne are two of the cameos, and I wanted a connection to the Celebrity Juice audience. But also, there's some Bo! Selecta cameos as I thought 'I've gotta do a thumbs up to that audience'.

David Hasselhoff and Verne Troyer are confirmed cast members - what was it like working with them?

Keith Lemon: 'Hello, Knightrider. How are you this morning, Knightrider?' (laughs) It was surreal! And now it's a bit more normal 'cos I know him and call him 'Dave'.

He's in London a lot though, isn't he?

Keith Lemon: I know - I think Verne, and 'Dave' and people like Pamela Anderson, it feels like they're all coming over! They've rinsed America and now they're taking on the UK - we welcome them with open arms 'cos to us they're still massive Hollywood names.

It was your first time and the director's, but Verne's very experienced - was he helpful on set?

Keith Lemon: Not really! (laughs) A lot of films he's done, he doesn't speak! He's either a goblin, or a baby monkey, or Mini-Me, so I think this film is the most dialogue he's ever had. He's such a lovely fella though, he said 'I've got a really good feeling about this...'

Well, it's coming out in August, that's a good release date - The Inbetweeners came out then...

Keith Lemon: Well, it's a real film with a story and stuff! Not just loads of p*****g about...

A lot though, presumably...

Keith Lemon: Yeah, a lot... But we've done a few test screenings and we did one that went well, I was sat at the back with a hat on and I couldn't believe it - they were laughing all the way through, even the bits where they're not supposed to! 'Don't laugh there, I've just got beaten up!' (laughs)

Have you got any ideas for a sequel?

Keith Lemon: It's in me head now. When I've done my book, that's the next thing I'm doing. The book's supposed to be out in November, and then I'll write a story for the next one, and if it happens, it's ready to go.

Finally, who would you take to the cinema with you on Orange Wednesday?

Keith Lemon: Kelly Brook! I've fallen in love with her, no two ways about it. Not like I wanna bang her - we've become right good mates. So I'd take Kelly Brook. Or Michael J Fox. Or Sylvester Stallone.