In 1980, I was studying Spanish and French literature at St Andrews university in Scotland. I have mixed memories of student life there. After eight years at boarding school in England, I was relishing the relative freedom. But it was a small town with only a few bars, and I hated student quarters as they were too regimented. So I rented a cottage. It was in a dismal state, the ceiling was falling down, and it was so cold I needed to light a fire in July. But it was fun.

I heard at the student union that a film company was looking for extras. I didn’t know anything about the movie, but I thought it might be fun. The auditions were held at the Royal and Ancient Golf Club. They just asked us if we could run; I was part of the rugby 15s so was pretty fit. Straight after the audition they dyed my hair a lightish blond.

The running scene was filmed in the morning. I have hazy memories of it and they are mostly sensory: the wind, the rain, the surf under our feet. We did several takes, so we were quite out of breath by the end, and we were told to keep our heads up. It was all very exciting – a complete contrast to routine student life.

After the run, the extras had lunch with the actors. They were very friendly, but it was intimidating. I was a few feet from Ben Cross, who played Harold Abrahams. I remember him vividly, his dark curly hair and his face. He laughed a lot. In the afternoon we filmed another scene: I was dressed up in 1920s garb alongside my girlfriend at the time, posed by a vintage car in the high street. The costumes were extraordinary: I’d done some theatre at school, but I’d never seen such attention to detail. I’ve seen the film many times and sadly I don’t think that scene made it in.

The producers gave me a photograph of us dressed up, and I cherish it. Caroline was my first girlfriend and I was properly in love. To be honest, she is what I remember most about being in Chariots of Fire: the discovery and elation that comes with first love. We met at a house party; she was studying French literature. I wasn’t very emotionally mature, so our breakup was also memorable; I thought I was going to die. I’m married now but I often wonder what became of her.

I left St Andrews after a year and a half. I’d gone there straight after my A-levels without thinking about what I really wanted to do. I yearned for freedom, and to travel. It was a wise choice.

I saw Chariots of Fire (it was released in 1981) in Rome, where my parents were living at the time, and finally discovered what it was about. It’s a great movie and I had no idea our run was the film’s opening sequence. I’m modest but proud that I was part of that iconic scene, and the film itself. It’s a great story to throw into dinner parties: I’m in Chariots of Fire, and you may or may not recognise me. I’ve lived and travelled all over the world, and the film has resonated wherever I’ve been. I think its story of courage and dedication touched a lot of people.

• Interview by Hannah Booth.

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