HE is regarded as one of the greatest war poets, whose vivid descriptions of life in the trenches continue to drive home the horrific realities of battle.

Now the life and works of Wilfred Owen are being brought to the stage in a new musical, Bullets and Daffodils, and the role of playing Owen has gone to a St Helens actor.

Phil Gwilliam, 33, from Blackbrook, has landed the leading role in the musical, written by Dean Johnson and directed by former Brookside actor Dean Sullivan.

The musical follows the story of Owen, a soldier killed in action in France aged 25, whose poems led to him becoming recognised as one of the greatest voices of the First World War.

Owen spent most of his life in the Birkenhead area before joining the British Army. He was awarded the Military Cross for his courage and leadership, but was killed in November 1918 during the battle to cross the Sambre-Oise canal at Ors, just a few days before the final shots of the conflict.

Phil told the Star: “It’s a huge responsibility. I felt it during the audition, as it took place at the Wilfred Owen Story museum in Birkenhead.

“As well as being a genius, Owen is an absolute hero to people from Wirral.

“The two Deans are great to work with.

“It’s an honour to have been chosen by them to help bring their vision and Owen’s poetry to life.”

Securing the role is an exciting step for Phil, the son of Alan Gwilliam, a former professional rugby player who played for Saints in 1970s and Warrington.

His entertainment career started as a Butlins Redcoat, and he pursued a singing career before settling on becoming an actor.

After Bullets and Daffodils Phil’s next project is a film called Grid Iron – a sports comedy set in 1985 which will feature St Helens’ own Johnny Vegas and Emma Rigby in the supporting cast.

As well as acting, Phil will also be an associate producer on the film.

The first two performances of Bullets and Daffodils take place at 2pm and 7.30pm on September 24 at the Lyceum in Port Sunlight. Tickets are £6 (£4 concessions), from The Wilfred Owen Story in Birkenhead, wilfredowen story.com or 0753 937 1925.