A FORMER Preston bouncer is being hailed the star of Leonardo DiCaprio's latest film for pulling the Titanic star from shark-infested waters off the coast of Thailand.

And Leo, who is set to make millions from the movie The Beach, owes thanks Paul Davies, whose quick thinking averted a tragedy during filming last year.

Paul, who worked at the University of Central Lancashire's Students Union until two years ago, was a security guard on the movie set when a monsoon shattered a quiet day's filming.

Paul gave instructions to the crew and cast, including Leo, to abandon the small fishing boat they were using to film a scene in the Indian Ocean after 15ft waves flooded the wooden vessel.

The hero dived into the shark-infested waters and issued instructions as Leo and his colleagues clung to passing debris. They were rescued from the rain-lashed Indian Ocean 30 minutes later by coastguards, scrambled from nearby Phuket. The film's director Danny Boyle said: "It was very frightening. It is impossible to describe how bad it was. Huge waves were appearing from what had been a calm sea just 10 minutes before.

"We were in the water for ages because the boats couldn't come close to us because their propellers would have chopped us to bits."

A spokesman for 20th Century Fox, who employed Paul, confirmed details of the incident.

Friends still based at the University of Central Lancashire say they aren't surprised by his heroic role.

One said: "We didn't know he was working on the film but he always said he wanted to travel. He always had a cool head and was great to have around if anything ever went wrong."

Rob Clarke, he former colleague of 27-year-old Paul, said: "He used to a be a lifeguard in Wales so that is probably how he got this job. He was extremely efficient in Preston."

Distributors 20th Century Fox refused to say whether he was invited to last week's premiere in London.

The film is expected to propel Leo into the $20 million-a-movie category.

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