Enigmatic aristocrat was ahead of his time, says It's a Sin star

It's a Sin actor Callum Scott Howells said it was a "genuine honour" to portray an eccentric 19th Century Welsh aristocrat who was "ahead of his time".

The life of Henry Paget will be the focus of the upcoming biopic Madfabulous which charts the extraordinary life of the fifth Marquess of Anglesey.

Dubbed the "dancing Marquess", Paget inherited Plas Newydd on Anglesey, his family's ancestral home, along with a vast fortune, when his father died in 1898.

He embarked on a life of excess and blew the equivalent of £60 million on extravagant ventures - including converting the chapel to a performance space to put on spectacular shows with elaborate costumes.

"He was a cross between David Bowie and Marc Bolan," Howells told The Big Issue.

"Gender fluid and, later, an inspiration to so many."

At the time, Paget's spending habits were considered foolish in a way that challenged Edwardian society.

But he has gone on to become "a bit of an icon" and is now seen as a wild expression of individualism.

Howells, from Pontypridd, said he fell in love with Paget, known as the "Dancing Marquess", after reading the script for the film.

There were many aspects of Paget's life that remained a mystery which made him an "enigma", said Howells, including no conclusive evidence about his sexuality.

"It was never confirmed he was gay, because his diaries were destroyed and, of course, homosexuality was illegal," he said.

"That's what made this role so thrilling for me and I didn't want to impose a sexuality on him."

The actor said he spent "hours and hours" researching Paget's life, but encouraged the audience to go and "discover the man for themselves" when the film is released later this year.

It was shot in just 31 days on Anglesey and in other north Wales locations, and the mansion at Glynllifon estate in Caernarfon doubled as Plas Newydd.

Paget would throw wild parties at the country house, which he renamed Anglesey Castle, as well as hosting lavish stage shows at the property's former church which was converted into a theatre.

Madfabulous director, the Bafta Cymru-winning Celyn Jones, said the entry point for the story was a black-and-white photograph of Paget dressed in one of his flamboyant costumes.

"Naturally, we had an exact replica made for Callum to wear in the same pose," said Jones.

"The costumes were absolutely key to the movie - we couldn't just hire them in, each one had to be handmade."

After living a short life of decadence, Paget was left penniless and fled his debtors by moving to Monaco where he died aged 29.

"It's sad that Henry died so young, but he packed his life with so many experiences," said Jones.

"This was a man with what seemed like endless reserves of money, who just did whatever he wanted."

Madfabulous also stars Rupert Everett, Ruby Stokes and Neath-born Paul Rhys who appeared in Saltburn.