Porn panto star Craig Chalmers in 50 Shades of Grey

A FORMER panto star sacked from his role as Prince Charming after it emerged he appeared in adult movies has now landed the main part in an X-rated version of box office hit Fifty Shades of Grey.
Craig Chalmers is to star in an even more explicit version of Fifty Shades of Grey. Picture: Ian GeorgesonCraig Chalmers is to star in an even more explicit version of Fifty Shades of Grey. Picture: Ian Georgeson
Craig Chalmers is to star in an even more explicit version of Fifty Shades of Grey. Picture: Ian Georgeson

Craig Chalmers, who performs under the name Ryan Ryder, shot to fame after making it to the finals of BBC talent show Any Dream Will Do but he was axed from a Dunfermline production of Cinderella after his secret double life was revealed in the Evening News two years ago.

The 32-year-old, from Clermiston, has since risen to become one of the UK’s leading porn actors, and his latest role is that of Christian Grey in Television X’s The Real Fifty Shades, premiering tonight for St Valentine’s Day.

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Chalmers stars opposite Geordie industry newcomer Sienna Day in what has been billed “the most anticipated adult movie of 2015”.

Speaking about landing the role, the former squeaky clean star said: “I’m really passionate about acting. Anyone who has seen the films I do will know that for me it’s about the acting and performing as well as the sex side.

“That’s why it’s an ideal job for me, especially when you get to do films like this.

He added: “This movie is going to be bigger than the Hollywood version as there’s going to be a lot more flesh and other parts of the body, you can see, of an intimate nature.”

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Publicity for the film claims that it “bursts beyond the vanilla restraints of Hollywood convention” and is directed by ex-English teacher Liselle Bailey, who hit the headlines herself five years ago following the shock announcement she was quitting the classroom for the adult entertainment business.

She has since directed a string of award-winning series for Television X. She said of her unofficial adaptation of the bestselling book by EL James: “This is the first time in ages that I’ve got really turned on writing a script.

“There’s serious, sexual tension in this movie – very, sexy sex. Sometimes porn isn’t always that, so I think this will appeal to couples and women that bit more.”

Last month Chalmers was nominated for the Best Foreign Male award at the AVN Awards – known as the Oscars of porn.

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His wife Jennifer Smith, who performs under the name Jasmine Jae, was also nominated, as Best Foreign Female.

However, both lost out in their respective categories at a glitzy ceremony in Las Vegas.

Chalmers lost his role in Cinderella two years ago after the News’ revelation.

The Alhambra Theatre in Dunfermline was forced to remove his face from posters and replace him with CBBC star James Mackenzie.

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Chalmers became a household name in 2007 when he took fifth place in Any Dream Will Do – which searched for a lead to star in Andrew Lloyd Webber’s classic musical Joseph and the Amazing ­Technicolor Dreamcoat. The family show returns to Edinburgh Playhouse this week.