INVERCLYDE’S very own Hollywood star is a new kid on the block – after being immortalised in Lego.

Teenage actor John Bell described the honour as the ‘coolest thing ever’ after Bain, the character he plays in blockbuster movie series The Hobbit was brought to life by the popular toymaker.

In an exclusive interview with the Tele, John, who recently rubbed shoulders with comedy legend Billy Connelly, says it is ‘bizarre’ to think that he will be the centre of children’s games across the globe.

He told the Tele: “This is honestly one of the coolest things that has ever happened to me – I can’t believe I’ve got my own Lego character.

“I’ve been Instagramming and tweeting about it. I’m absolutely buzzing and have placed ‘me’ on the mantlepiece at home.

“It’s like making a little piece of history and it’s bizarre to think that kids will be picking me up and making up stories using a figure based on me.

“I actually took my Lego figure out the other day and nearly lost him – so I’ll keep him safely inside from now on.” John, who stars in The Desolation of Smaug, the second of the Hobbit films, and the hotly anticipated third film The Battle of the Five Armies, says his dad Iain is also thrilled.

He said: “My dad is a huge Lego fan so he’s so delighted.

“We used to bond over Lego when I was younger and nowadays we still build the bigger sets such as the Sydney Opera House.” The tiny replica is part of the ‘Attack on Lake-town’ Hobbit set which is set to top children’s Christmas wish lists this December.

John, 17, added: “The detail on it is incredible. Even one of the buttons is squint, which is just like my character in the film.

“You can also swap my head so you can have an angry face or a happy face which is funny.” John also got some top acting tips from fellow Hobbit actor Billy Connelly when he was invited backstage at his show in Glasgow.

He said: “I sent him an email saying I was going to see his show to celebrate my 17th birthday and he said ‘make sure you come and say hello’.

“Billy plays one of the dwarf kings in the upcoming Hobbit film so he knew me as the wee Scottish boy on set. We spent about 40 minutes chatting and he gave me one great piece of advice.

“He said if I get turned down for a role, it’s never because of my acting ability, it’s always down to how you look or your height, so don’t take it to heart if I don’t get a part.” Last year, John made headlines around the world when he attended the Berlin Hobbit premiere wearing a kilt – and was the envy of men everywhere when he received a kiss from Evangeline Lilly – the stunning actress who plays elf Tauriel in the Tolkien film adaptation.

John is looking forward to stepping out on the red carpet again when the final Hobbit film is released on 12 December.