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Jamie Bell has revealed that winning an Oscar for his role in Billy Elliot could have ruined his life.
The 21-year-old actor received praise from critics for his performance in the movie seven years ago, but he has insisted that huge success at such a young age would have been damaging.
"I think it would have ruined my life. Can you imagine going back to school on the Tuesday after winning an Oscar? You'd be nuts," Jamie told the Belfast Telegraph. "It's unsafe this industry to a young person. You need to be protected and to keep good people around you."
Bell, who played a young boy who wanted to become a ballet dancer in the film, admitted that he often worries about current child stars.
"I watched the Oscars last year and I see Abigail Breslin, that little kid, getting nominated for Little Miss Sunshine, and [Best Supporting Actor winner] Alan Arkin said the best thing of the whole evening when he said, 'Thank God she didn't win. We've just saved this kid.' And it's so true," he explained.
"They're so quick to put you on a pedestal. You have to surround yourself with good people who love you for who you are and who you can trust. You're not the one who changes, it's just that people don't know how to deal with you when this stuff happens."
