Dwarf actor Kenny Baker has blasted his rude Star Wars co-star ANTHONY DANIELS, insisting their close characters R2-D2 and C-3PO are virtual strangers behind scenes.

R2-D2 star Baker has refused to mix socially with Daniels ever since the C-3PO actor viciously chastised him for saying "hello" one morning on set.

And Baker - who first teamed up with Daniels in the original 1977 GEORGE LUCAS movie STAR WARS: EPISODE IV - A NEW HOPE - insists he's never regretted not forming a friendship with the British star, because he's both boring and infuriating.

He says, "Anthony doesn't mix at all - he keeps himself to himself. He never wants to have a drink with any of us. Once when I said hello to him he just turned his back on me and said, 'Can't you see I'm having a conversation?' I was blazing with rage.

"It was the rudest thing anyone had ever done to me. I was furious. It was unbelievable."

And according to Baker, his communication with Daniels was further hindered by the hours in wardrobe they spent preparing for the robotic roles.

He adds, "By the time Anthony is in his costume I don't see him. I turn up five minutes before filming starts and they pop me into the R2-D2 shell. There's no talking once you're inside.

"He's had 30 minutes getting out at the end and by that time I'm away. We never meet socially - we don't live anywhere near each other."

16/05/2005 13:44