A MAN originally from Anglesey who gave a helping hand in the remake of one of Disney’s most well-known films says he is “absolutely delighted” to hear that the movie is now up for an Oscar.

Former Holyhead merchant seaman, Graham Wyn Jones, was hand selected to be part of a team of story board artists for Beauty and the Beast movie which was released last year.

Now, the film is up for an award in the production design category, which Graham lent a helping hand to.

“It was my job to bring the script to life so I’m delighted by the news.” said 58-year-old Graham.

“I helped give the director an idea of how the film will pan out so they can plan the sequence of their shots.”

The four month job is one of Graham’s long list of credits which includes Dad’s Army, tv series Da Vinci’s Demons and the remake of The Mummy, where he worked with actor Tom Cruise.

He worked as a merchant seaman from 1976 on the Holyhead ships Cambria and Hibernia as a catering boy.

Aredundancy lead to an opportunity to go back to school in 1993 and Graham decided to study a foundation course in art and design at Coleg Menai.

“I was always interested in drawing and after my first few lessons my teachers told me my destiny was in the film industry.” Graham said.

The artist, who now lives in Bracknell, does return home when he can to visit family members living in the area.

Graham now teaches art in colleges all over Britain and tells them the same messages that his tutor at Coleg Menai, Ed Davies, had once told him.

“I tell my students hard work will pay off if you dedicate yourself.” Graham said.

“My tutor told me to believe in myself and go for it.

“Hard times did follow, but I look back with no regrets.

“It just goes to show how someone from Anglesey can make it to the big time. I am living my dream.”

The Beauty and the Beast film is up against Blade Runner 2049, Darkest Hour, Dunkirk and The Shape of Water in the production design category of the 2018. Academy Awards.

Sarah Greenwood will be representing the team at the 90th annual ceremony, which will be broadcast live on Sunday, March 4.