Harry Potter and Daniel Radcliffe are names that are set to become synonymous.

Daniel, 11, will appear in the first film adaptation of the hugely successful Harry Potter books.

The schoolboy achieved his first major role alongside Bob Hoskins, Maggie Smith and Sir Ian McKellen in last year's BBC adaptation of David Copperfield.

But the winner of the highly-coveted Harry Potter role almost didn't make it because his parents didn't want him to act.

Enthusiasm

Radcliffe first got his hopes up when some friends encouraged him to go to a casting for ITV's Oliver Twist.

Daniel Radcliffe stars alongside ten year old Emma Watson and eleven year old Rupert Grint

"My mum and dad never thought it was a very good idea," he explained.

Worn down by his enthusiasm, they finally let him have a go when David Copperfield was being cast.

"My mum sent in a Polaroid of me to the BBC, because I've always wanted to act since I was five," says Daniel.

Unfazed

The youngster survived five auditions and had no trouble making friends on the set.

"Bob Hoskins taught me loads of rude rhymes, and tried to make me laugh. Ian McKellen was really cool," he said.

The producer of David Copperfield, Kate Harewood, wished the schoolboy actor well.

"I'm so thrilled for Daniel and feel sure her will rise to this challenging job as he did on David Copperfield," she said.

At the tender age of eleven, the schoolboy has few creature comforts.

"The best thing about filming is going to all the different locations and staying in hotels. They have Sky and I haven't got that at home," he says.

Radcliffe will next be seen in the John Boorman film The Tailor of Panama, based on a John Le Carr� novel.

He appears opposite Pierce Brosnan, Jamie Lee Curtis and Harold Pinter in the film, which comes out later this year.