It was every young actor’s dream to land a starring role in the new Star Wars film.

But Alex Rolt bit off more than he could chew when he claimed he had played a stormtrooper who has become a fans’ favourite in the latest box office record breaker.

The 23-year-old hitherto unknown actor from West Sussex became an internet sensation when he revealed he had played the masked stormtrooper who shouts ‘traitor’ in an intense fight scene with John Boyega’s character, Finn.

An aspiring actor from West Sussex bit off more than he could chew when he claimed he had played a stormtrooper who has become a fans’ favourite in the latest box office record breaker

Alex Rolt (pictured), 23, had a small part in the film but did not play the stormtrooper in the film as he claimed

But Rolt was forced into a grovelling apology last night after he was unmasked as a fantasist who only had a bit-part as an extra in the hit movie.

Fans were impressed when Rolt said he had played the stormtrooper in an interview with his local paper.

The drama school graduate claimed he had been chosen to face off against Boyega because of his fencing experience.

He said: ‘They got me in the stormtrooper outfit but the prop didn’t have a clip or anything on the uniform, so I had to hold it in a certain way then deliver the line: “Traitor!” ’

Lucasfilm revealed the role in Star Wars: The Force Awakens was really played by veteran stuntman Liang Yang (above)

The interview was picked up on social media, and Rolt was lavished with praise from fans around the world.

He tweeted: ‘Response I’ve had to playing this character has been phenomenal, thank you.’

But the young pretender was exposed by the film’s production company Lucasfilm when it revealed the role in Star Wars: The Force Awakens was really played by veteran stuntman Liang Yang.

Rolt apologised on Twitter, saying: ‘Sorry for doing this to all the fans.Was a joke that got out of hand. My career is tarnished.’