R2-D2 replica moves to Hull store for starring role

'I'M PICKING UP A REPLICA OF C-3PO SO HE'LL HAVE HIS BUDDY'

- By COREENA FORD

A STAR Wars legend is set for a new starring role - as the lead star at a Hull DIY store with a difference.

This may not be the real R2-D2 that provided a costume for Kenny Baker in the original 1970s Star Wars series - but sci-fi superfan, model maker and actor Ricky Butler is famed for his replicas.

He spent more than a year building the model of the famous faithful droid so it could appear at the London premiere of The Rise of Skywalker in 2018, rubbing shoulders with its stars including Mark Hamill, who plays Luke Skywalker through out the movie franchise.

However, the 70-year-old actor has now parted with the replica, which he says has been his most prized creation, selling it to Hull shopkeeper Mani Singh, the owner of Cheap N Cheerful DIY, household, pet and garden store in Horseshoe Park.