A Former Monmouth Comprehensive School pupil is rising to fame after featuring in a Hollywood blockbuster.

Olly Alexander (real name Oliver Thornton) can be seen in his latest acting role alongside Jack Black in Gulliver's Travels.

The 20-year-old plays Prince August, a speaking role, in the 20th Century Fox film.

Olly fought off lots of competition to get the part.

Olly said: "I auditioned a lot.

"They saw a lot of auditionees in America and I was very pleased to get the role."

When asked about his experience on set, Olly said: "I was definitely nervous to start, but the atmosphere was really relaxed.

"I was filming for such a long time that I eventually became comfortable.

"Sadly, a lot of the stuff I filmed eventually got cut.

"Everyone was really nice though, including Jack Black, who is funny as you would expect, but also very professional."

Olly was a pupil at Monmouth Comprehensive from 2001 until 2006.

It was there that he got the acting bug, taking on roles in the annual school play.

"I was good at drama when I was at school," said Olly.

"I did dream that I could make a career out of acting, but I never thought I would get there."

After completing his studies at Monmouth Comprehensive, he then went on to study at Hereford College of Arts.

It was during his time here that he was recommended to his now agent, after auditioning in a series of open castings.

He was 17 when he was offered a role in Gaspar Noé's thriller 'Enter the Void', which required him to drop out of college and head to Tokyo.

Olly is proud of all the parts he has played.

He said: "All of my roles have been very different, so it has all been good experience.

"You learn so much on every different set and I have learned to enjoy myself while acting in many different ways."

Currently living in London, Olly's forthcoming projects include a TV series for BBC3, which is being filmed this year.

Olly's mother Vicky Thornton said: "I am very proud of him.

"I have been to see Gulliver's Travels in 3D and it is very good."

Olly can also be seen in Jane Campion's biopic 'Bright Star', Max Jacoby's post-apocalyptic film with a cast of three 'Dust', and teenage horror film 'Tormented'.