I've got my joyboy

LIFE couldn't be any better for Scots film beauty Kathleen McDermott. She's got the BAFTA, the big film role - and now even a teenage toyboy.

With long strawberry blonde locks, gorgeous green eyes and cheekbones to die for, she's the rising star of Scottish cinema.

She's just picked up a BAFTA for her role as Lana in the movie hit Morvern Callar and now she's starring with Johnny Lee Miller in The Flying Scotsman, the story of cyclist Graeme Obree.

But it's Kathleen's barman boyfriend Stephen Irvine, 19, who keeps her feet on the ground. "He's my toy-boy," says the 26-year-old from Glasgow. We've been going out for a year. I met him because I was in his bar one day and I'd bumped my car. We just started talking and he asked for my phone number.

"When we got together I didn't tell him I was an actress. I get embarrassed saying that. He found out from a taxi driver.

"Stephen takes a back seat when it comes to my career. He's been to a couple of premieres but that's it. He's always very supportive and he's really chilled out.

"We have a strong relationship. But I try not to think about things too seriously because my life has changed so much in two years."

The changes began on a shopping trip with her sister when the mighty hand of fame literally reached out and grabbed her. It belonged to casting director Des Hamilton who plucked her from the cold streets of Glasgow, offering her the chance to fulfil her dreams.

Celtic-mad Kathleen, daughter of an engineer and a bakery worker, was working as a barber at the time and it never occurred to her that she could cut it as an actress until that fateful day. Two years later and she's won four film gongs.

"Aye, I've done no' bad I suppose," allowing herself a hint of pride.

She's hung out with Jack Nicholson and Leo DiCaprio in Cannes and even kissed Ewan McGregor. "I had to go to London to audition for a part in Young Adam. In the scene I'm naked at the sink and he comes up and talks to me.

"Anyway, it was Valentine's Day, so when I said 'bye', I thought: what the hell! 'Give me a kiss,' I said. He started laughing. So I kissed him on the lips - and he then kissed me on the cheek."

Despite such famous friends, her head never gets near the clouds. Having grown up in a tough east- end neighbourhood, she has learned not to take anything for granted. "Old friends say I haven't changed and I don't want to either. I'm just the same person. I'm not going to pretend to be someone I'm not.

"All some actors can talk about is the business. That's really dull."

Modest she may be, but Kathleen admits she sometimes falls under fame's spell: "Anyone who says they don't like being recognised in the street is lying because it's brilliant. I love it. It makes you feel great."

But after filming on Morvern Callar, Kathleen completed her barber training course and returned to her job as a karaoke singer in a Chinese restaurant.

"I wanted something to fall back on. I still want to open my own barbers' shop some day. And I am still working as a karaoke singer."

Currently enjoying a break from filming The Flying Scotsman, Kathleen is delighted with her new role. "I play Graeme Obree's wife's best friend. I get to ride about in a motor bike in leathers so it's great fun. The script is brilliant."

Since exploding onto the acting scene, she has played a lesbian in an Irish movie and a French teacher in a short film. Does she worry about being thrust into the movie limelight without acting lessons?

"I was considering drama lessons and I'm having voice coaching. But some- times it's good to have natural ability and to be able to improvise. That's what Robert Carlyle said when I asked his advice."

The story of how Kathleen got swept up into stardom is like a fairy tale... "I was out in the January sales with my sister Karen and this guy came up and said: 'Excuse me'. He tsaidhe wanted me to audition for the part of Lana in Morvern Callar. I thought he was winding me up but I went along for a laugh. I never thought I'd get it."

Suddenly feeling out of her depth, she headed for the door but was persuaded to come back and was singled out by director Lynne Ramsay, who was bowled over by her camera interview.

"After that I got called to come and film some scenes, and then I got the part. I just couldn't believe it."

So has she now set her sights on a penthouse pad and a sports car?

"To be honest I'd love to just go into a shop and buy something and not have to worry about it," she says.

Copyright 2003 MGN LTD
Provided by ProQuest Information and Learning Company. All rights Reserved.