October 24, 2001 9:00

HUGH GRANT DRAWN TO DAMON GOUGH!

He's an actor, and he's very, very famous...

BADLY DRAWN BOY has exclusively revealed his new celebrity fan to NME.COM.

It is none other than Hugh Grant who stars in new film 'About A Boy', for which Gough has written the soundtrack. The film, out next spring, is an adaptation of Nick Hornby's novel about a single thirtysomething male and stars Hugh Grant and Rachel Weisz.

Gough has been writing songs and incidental music in LA and recently met up with Grant. He told NME.COM: "He seemed to be a fan. It was nice of him to show up and see me. The director said 'He's never turned up to any meeting, he just comes and does his acting'. He said it was quite unique that he came along and wanted to meet me and show his support for me being involved."

The singer/song-writer admitted there is some mutual admiration. "When I first saw him act - I think it was in 'Remains Of The Day' - I remember being impressed, there was a quality in his acting that I liked," said Gough. "Obviously he's become a mainstream film actor, people love him, people slag him off whatever. But he is actually a very good actor. In this film I don't think he puts a foot wrong. It's a feelgood film, but it thankfully doesn't go too Hollywood."

For more, see this week's NME, out now.