080602 Express

August 6, 2002
The Express
Hollywood role for David as he flies the family nest
by Gavin Docherty

THE heartbreaking story of the Boy David is set for Hollywood.

With his face ravaged by disease, the abandoned Amazonian boy who was rescued from a Peruvian hospital and had his face rebuilt by renowned Glasgow plastic surgeon Ian Jackson is now the star of a movie version of his life. The television producers who made all six documentaries about David's plight over the past 20 years have been asked to enter the film for a nomination in the documentary section of the Hollywood Oscars.

As well as existing film material they have added new footage of David, now 26, leaving the family nest of his adoptive parents, Ian and Marjorie Jackson, in Detroit, and setting off for a new life in Los Angeles.

Narrated by Mission: Impossible 2 star Dougray Scott, the 95-minute feature, entitled The Boy David Story, will have its British premiere in London on Thursday.

"We have basically rounded off the amazing story of this very brave young man," commented director Alex McCall.

"There is film of him leaving the nest and heading off into the sunset to make his way in the world."

Arts college graduate David is setting up a graphic design business in Los Angeles with friends from Detroit. It is very much his ambition to marry, settle down and have children.

He has told the producers this is the last time he will allow them to film him.

Millions of British viewers followed David's story told over six programmes made by the late Desmond Wilcox since 1983, charting his painful journey through the reconstructive surgery needed to rebuild his face.