Love Actually was the 2003 romantic comedy film, written and directed by Richard Curtis, which has grown in popularity over the years to become a Christmas classic.

It featured a stellar cast, but also many supporting actors who have gone on to have successful film careers. With multiple overlapping storylines, the film drew inspiration from Robert Altman’s Short Cuts and Quentin Tarantino’s Pulp Fiction, and features numerous memorable scenes and one-liners. It was a box-office smash, grossing $246 million worldwide and was nominated for the Golden Globe Award for Best Motion Picture (Comedy).

Kirsty Wark brings together stars from the film including Bill Nighy who became a household name after playing ageing rocker Billy Mack.

After a difficult few years in the media spotlight, EastEnders actress and pop singer Martine McCutcheon reveals how she was set to give up on showbusiness - until she got a call inviting her to play opposite Hugh Grant in Curtis's new film.

Child actor Thomas Brodie-Sangster played Sam, who learned to play the drums to catch the eye of his school crush. Thomas explains why he was reluctant to even come to the audition.

Olivia Olson was the 10-year-old who played Sam's love interest. She tells Kirsty how she had to record her scene-stealing song again - because it was too good the first time.

Lucia Moniz, was better known as a pop star in her native Portugal when she was cast to play Colin Firth's housekeeper, but only after her audition where she had to swim in thin air!

And producer Duncan Kenworthy, long-time collaborator of Curtis, explains how he encouraged him to change the storyline between Emma Thompson and Alan Rickman to make it sad.

Producer: Karen Pirie
Series Producer: David Prest
A Whistledown production for BBC Radio 4 Show less