A new film about British Olympic hero - and De Montfort University Leicester (DMU) alumnus - Eddie 'the Eagle' Edwards has landed at cinemas across the UK.
The film is inspired by the true story of Michael "Eddie" Edwards, the ski jumper who won the hearts of the nation when he represented Britain at the 1988 Calgary Winter Games.
Eddie at the European premiere of the movie. Picture: Ian West/PA Wire
Directed by Dexter Fletcher and starring Taron Egerton in the title role with Hugh Jackman as his 'fictional' coach, the result is a feel-good biopic - and Eddie is delighted.
"It's a great film. They've done a fantastic job. Taron plays me so well. He looks and sounds like me and it's very easy to watch."
Eddie the Eagle the movie has been a long time coming. Eddie said: "The project kept stalling - it has been ongoing for 17 years. Then producer Matthew Vaughn rang 15 months ago and said they start filming in three months!"
After retiring from ski jumping, Cheltenham-born Eddie decided to go back to school. He was interested in the law after taking out a civil action against the trustees of a fund for his earnings, which he claimed was not set up properly.
Eddie said: "Unfortunately I was made bankrupt. I was interested in what the lawyers and barristers did to put the case together.
"I chose to study law at DMU because it had the highest intake of mature students."
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Eddie said his arrival created a bit of a buzz, but people in his year were used to seeing him. "I was just Michael," he said.
"I loved the experience - being a student and being at university.
"It was hard work and I spent a lot of time reading and researching, but I never missed promotional work, because that's how I earned my money, and I never missed a lecture or tutorial."
Great Britain's first Olympic ski jumper also joined several societies, including the ski club, although his work meant he couldn't participate as much as he would have liked.
STUDENT: Eddie in July 2003 considering his career options
After graduating in 2003, he returned to his old job as a builder and a plasterer, because it gave him the flexibility to continue his PR work. More recently he has appeared on TV shows including Let's Dance for Sport Relief, Splash! and Winter Wipeout.
However, Eddie has still reaped the rewards of studying for a degree.
He said: "It benefited me especially in terms of discipline and getting on with a project and sticking to things.
"It's good for social and academic skills, meeting people and making new friends.
"The highlights of my life and career are having my two daughters, competing at the Olympics and my law degree," added Eddie, who is busy promoting the movie around the world.
Tim Hillier, Associate Head of Leicester De Montfort Law School, remembers Eddie because he was a good student, not because he was Eddie the Eagle.
"He was someone who fitted in really well," said Tim.
"We knew he was coming and there was excitement he was going to be a student, but he didn't make a big thing about his celebrity status.
"He was hardworking, a model student."
Posted on Friday 1 April 2016