The 43-year-old film fanatic produced the screenplay for Sir Michael Caine's new film, Harry Brown, and he was at its launch in London's Leicester Square.

He said: "I'd call it a pleasantly surreal experience.

"Turning the corner into Leicester Square and seeing a gigantic Harry Brown poster was just incredible.

"I was walking down the red carpet just behind Sir David Frost, past hordes of paparazzi and into the screening of the film I wrote.

"It was even more bizarre at the after-party where I was stood at the bar and Kevin Spacey was standing next to me."

The highlight of the night for him came when he approached Sir Michael to thank him for taking part in the film.

"He turned round to me and 'no, no, no, thank you. I did this because of your script,'" said Mr Young.

"Having Sir Michael thanking me was just incredible."

The father of one, of Stanhope Road, South Shields, wrote the gritty thriller last year with Sir Michael, star of big-screen classics such as Get Carter and Zulu in mind, but he was shocked when the actor agreed to take the title role.

Mr Young has been a writer for the past 17 years after training in photography at South Tyneside College.

Described as an urban western, Harry Brown is the tale of an elderly widower and former Royal Marine whose neighbourhood is overrun by gangs, drugs and crime.

After his best friend is murdered and the gang leader responsible walks free, Harry becomes an unlikely vigilante.

The movie, which co-stars Iain Glen, Emily Mortimer and Liam Cunningham, opens tonight at cinemas nationwide.

Celebs at its premiere included new world heavyweight boxing champion David Haye, artist Tracy Emin, former Rolling Stone Bill Wyman and James Bond actress Gemma Arterton.