Starring role with 'Captain Slow'

Former Kennet School pupil Tom Small (pictured with James May) became involved in the filming of the programme while studying at Brunel University.
The 21-year-old helped James May build a model plane that the duo attempt to fly across the English Channel during the Christmas special, which is due to be aired on BBC 2 on Sunday (tomorrow) at 9.30pm.
However Mr Small nearly had to let the Top Gear presenter down because he was due to work at Waitrose in Newbury the day filming was scheduled.
May himself begged Mr Small’s management to let the 21-year-old have the day off.
“I wrote a piece about my experience for the Waitrose magazine, so I made it up to them,” Mr Small said.
“To be asked back to do the filming was unbelievable. It was an honour. When I think about it now I still can’t believe I did it.
“James was no different to how he portrays himself on the television. He was smart and quite quiet. He was modest and a pleasure to work with.
“The Brunel team built the wings and James and his friend built the fuselage.”
During the filming Mr Small, who has a license to fly light aircraft, piloted the model aircraft from a helicopter.
“The only helicopter I had been in before was a Royal Airforce helicopter when I did work experience while I was in year ten at Kennet.
“This was a smaller helicopter and the views were just amazing.”
Mr Small graduated with a 2:1 from Brunel University in the summer and is now looking for work in the aviation industry.