Perhaps best known for his portrayal of Tony Blair in both The Deal and The Queen, Welsh actor Michael Sheen is soon to hit cinemas in a very different role.

Due to appear on screens opposite British hunk Robert Pattinson in New Moon - the latest installment of the Twilight series, Michael will play menacing vampire Aro.

And it seems ten-year-old Lily, the actor's daughter with Kate Beckinsale, is one of the reasons behind the decision to take the part. She is apparently a huge fan of the Twilight books.

"That made it more exciting," says the dad-of-one.

"The Twilight series has a lot of teenage girl fans. But I think that's mainly for Robert (Pattinson), not me!" he adds.

Michael has also revealed that he has modelled his bloodsucker alter-ego on the terrifying Child Catcher from children's classic Chitty Chitty Bang Bang.

"I've even got the same long black hair in the film!" he says.

The eagerly-anticipated The Twilight Saga: New Moon is due to hit screens in November.

Photo: � PA