Dave Prowse: I first worked at Elstree Studios on an episode of the Sixties action TV series The Saint, which starred Roger Moore (now, of course, Sir Roger Moore). This was an extra special job for me as it heralded my very first television work.

Prior to working at the studios playing the role of Darth Vader on the first three Stars Wars films, I made appearances in various television productions made at the studios including: The Avengers, Department S and Jason King. Film work for me at the studios included two very different types of film: The Horror of Frankenstein (made by Hammer Films) and Confessions of a Pop Performer, the latter starred the actor Robin Askwith.

My association with the Star Wars film series first started when I met filmmaker George Lucas at Twentieth Century's offices in London. George had first seen me in the 1971 Stanley Kubrick film A Clockwork Orange, and had kept me in mind for five years!

After being shown some conceptual drawing for Star Wars, George offered me either the role of Chewbacca or Darth Vader in the film. Asking why I requested to play the latter role, I said that it was because I was aware that people always remember the villains in productions, for instance those in the James Bond films.

As if to prove my point, thirty years on and many hundreds of convention appearances later, I am still remembered for playing the ultimate villain - Darth Vader.

I have many happy memories of working on productions at Elstree. These include meeting actress Dinah Sheridan and members of the cast of the family film The Railway Children. But while I do recall meeting Shelley Duvall, who was working at the studios on the film The Shining, I sadly never did get to meet Jack Nicholson.

Despite spending a lot of time at Elstree Studios, sadly, I never had much time to socialise there after filming had ended for the day, especially when I was working on the Star Wars film series. At the time I was also running three gymnasiums in London and would get up at 6am, travel to the studios and work all day until 5.30pm. After leaving the studios I would go to work at one of my gyms later arriving home at 11pm. Then I used to grab a few hours sleep before performing the whole routine all over again the following day!

Although I haven't worked at the studios since making Return of the Jedi in 1983, I was delighted to return there for a visit in 2006 when the music mogul Simon Cowell was having a plaque unveiled there in his honour.

Following the unveiling I attended a special Star Wars: A New Hope screening at the nearby Reel Cinema. The Whole event was very emotional for me, and I have lots of great memories of the night. I especially enjoyed speaking to the audience about my time working on the Star Wars films prior to a rare screening of the first film.

Dave Prowse MBE

My special thanks go to Dave Prowse MBE for his time and help.

Feature: © Paul Burton 2009

Please do not reproduce any part of this feature without first contacting Paul Burton to request permission.

To visit Dave's official website, which tells you all you ever wanted to know about his life, career and the role he played in bringing the dark side of the Jedi master to life, please click onto the link above right.