Nativity is a hit with its catchy tunes, charm performances, and hilarious plot. It has been an iconic Christmas song for 12 years.
Martin Freeman is the funnyman in the movie, but the real heart of the film lies within its adorable cast of children working toward their Christmas concert, which will be filled with original pop songs.
More than ten years after the release of the movie, these young stars have re-emerged as actors, fashion designers, business owners and offer fans an insight into their private lives through social media.
There’s even an official TikTok trend to find the children in the movie – the hashtag “Nativity Cast” has gotten 21.7M hits.
While some cast members have only one video, others boast 25K+ followers. However videos that are discovered by users’ favourite stars can get up to 2.5 million views.
FEMAIL shares the story of FEMAIL’s favorite Christmas film over a decade.
Ben Wilby, 19, plays Bob
Ben Wilby was the charming Bob. He stole the show with both his funny singing and dancing moves as well as some of his clever one-liners. Right, Ben, now 19, went on to feature in television series’ Father Brown and Cuckoo and is currently studying at drama school Emil Dale Academy in Hitchin
Ben Wilby was an audience favourite as Bob. His hilarious singing and dancing, combined with his funny one-liners, made him a fan favorite.
The young actor, from Cannock in Staffordshire, has already overcome a lot in his life – with doctors warning he may never walk or talk after a nine-hour operation as a child.
Craniosynostosis is a defect of the baby skull that causes bones to join too soon. He was two years old when doctors diagnosed him with Craniosynostosis. His parents were warned by doctors that he might not be able to survive an operation to alleviate pressure from his brain.
Ben defied all odds to join a dance academy in order to improve his balance and strength. He was awarded a host of trophies and the European Freestyle Champion title.
In his determination to make a name for himself in the film industry, Ben beat 500 hopefuls to be the part of Bob. He arrived at the auditions in a bold outfit that included legwarmers, neon green shorts and a shirt with the slogan “Born To Dance” printed on it.
Ben was 19 when he appeared in the movie. He went on to appear in another Nativity! Movies, and appearances on television’s Father Brown and Cuckoo.
He currently studies at the drama school Emil Dale Academy Hitchin, and posts regular videos about his Nativity! His fame is due to the 74K TikTok followers.
Ellie Coldicutt, 24, plays Beth
Ellie Coldicutt, who played the little girl sitting on the moon with tinsel in her hair during Sparkle & Shine. Right, Ellie, 24, has founded a successful fashion business called Elrosé Clothing – an online boutique selling every-day womenswear pieces
Sparkle & Shine was one of the breakout hits from the 2009 movie, and the standout performance went to Ellie Coldicutt, who played the little girl sitting on the moon with tinsel in her hair.
Ellie, who lives in Ullenhall, near Henley-in-Arden, showed performing prowess from a young age and has been acting and singing from the age of eight.
By the age of 13 she had starred in the UK tour of The Sound Of Music and a stage version of The Secret Garden in both Edinburgh and Toronto.
However her life took a different direction when she went to university, deciding to put acting aside and study law and criminology at the University of the West of England in Bristol.
After graduating in July 2019, Ellie began working at a marketing agency in the west Midlands before bagging a job as a marketing executive in Leamington Spa in August this year.
As well as pursuing a career in marketing, Ellie has founded a successful fashion business called Elrosé Clothing – an online boutique selling every-day womenswear pieces.
Ellie posts glamourous snaps from her day on Instagram. She recently went to Marbella for sun-soaked holidays and is celebrating her 24th birthday today. [02/12].
Brandon McDonald, 23, plays Oli
Brandon from Warwickshire played the role of Oli, a cheeky St Bernadette’s student who sang the famous line “extra spicy” in the Three Kings number. He also turned purple during the audition. Right, Brandon seems to have taken a step away from the acting world since his stint in the spotlight, changing his name and keeping a low profile on social media
Brandon from Warwickshire played the cheeky St Bernadette’s student Oli. He sang the famous “extra spicy” line during the three-king’s number, and turned purple as he held his breath.
All three Nativity films he appeared in! In all three films, he appears to have taken an exit from acting after his brief stint in the spotlight. He changed his name and is now keeping a low profile online.
Daisy, the ex-actress, is his girlfriend. They often share their favorite photos and videos via social media.
A video of Brandon eating in a chain restaurant while his famous song She’s the Brightest Star plays over the top recently went viral on TikTok, gathering over 300K likes and 22K comments.
It was a delight to see the progress of Brandon since his film debut and users left hilarious comments on the Christmas movie.
“So nice to see Ollie on phone securing Nativity 4” said one while another inquired “I wonder if Alfie still has beef with him”.
Krista, 22 years old as Becky
Krista Hyatt’s Becky, a student from posh rival school Oakmoor, was a memorable member of the cast thanks to her impressive dance skills. Right, Krista who is thought to be studying dance, has 14.7K Followers on TikTok and often shares her memories of her early career with her followers. In an Instagram photo
While she wasn’t a pupil of St Bernadette’s, Krista Hyatt’s Becky was a memorable member of the cast thanks to her impressive dance skills.
Krista portrayed a student from posh rival school Oakmoor when she was nine alongside her dance partner and best pal Charlie Dixon.
They were the Cheeky Monkeys. Their dance routines earned them fame on Britain’s Got Talent Season 2.
The couple split in January 2011 after Charlie received a scholarship to the Hammond School, Cheshire.
Now 22, Krista has had an incredible transformation, often sharing glamorous snaps on her social media pages and amassing a huge number of followers on TikTok.
Krista, who is thought to be studying dance, has 14.7K Followers on the app and often shares her memories of her early career with her followers.
Sydney Isitt Ager, 22, Sadie
Sydney Isitt – Ager played Sadia the shy student who told Mr Madden she was too nervous to participate in the lavish show. Now, she’s a student at Laine Theatre Arts Epsom. She also owns her own Coventry beauty and cosmetics firm offering eyelash extensions and make-up.
While she may have played Sadia, the shy pupil who tells Mr Madden that she’s too nervous to perform in the extravagant show, 22-year-old Sydney is far from sheepish.
Sydney, who is the daughter of Debbie Isitt, who wrote and directed Nativity, has been very busy since her first on-screen appearance, having enrolled in drama school and started two businesses.
She is studying at Laine Theatre Arts in Epsom where she recently starred in her school’s version of Legally Blonde as Paulette – with her mum branding her ‘fabulous and funny as hell’ on social media.
Sydney is also a trained actress and runs her beauty and cosmetics business in Coventry, offering eyelash extensions and make-up.
Sydney boasts more than 25K TikTok followers and runs a jewellery shop selling custom-made jewellery that is ‘custom made’ to fit your spirit online.
Instagram has seen her gain a large following and she often posts glamorous photos of herself in stylish outfits and enjoying lavish holidays with friends.
Cadi Mullane, 21, as Crystal
Cadi was memorable as Crystal.
Welsh-born, the actress currently studies at Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama. She has an avid following on social media with over 1,500 followers on Instagram and more than 5,000 TikTok users.
Cadi was memorable as Crystal.
Welsh-born, the actress currently studies at Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama. She has an avid following on social media with over 1,500 followers on Instagram and more than 5,000 TikTok users.
Cadi, who is currently in a relationship with long-term boyfriend Morgan, explained in one of her social media videos how she came to bag the role of Crystal in the Christmas classic.
Cadi shared her story with TikTok by explaining that she auditioned at seven years old, searching for “chatty children who can dance and sing a bit” through the agency to which she belonged.
She had to travel up to London from Wales seven times for auditions and was tested on her singing ability and how well she interacted with other cast members.
Recalling one of her favourite moments on set, she revealed that A-lister Martin Freeman sang happy birthday to her the day she turned eight, and says she has fond memories of living with co-stars in a hotel and improvising lines.
What about her Nativity? Cadi says that while she and her co-stars don’t stay in touch regularly, they still follow one another on social media.
Maeve Dolan (20), as Sam
Nativity is forever captivated by one hilarious scene. The hilarious audition of Sam (a young girl) for the school’s play was a hit with fans. Sam performed a song by Wheatus, the Teenage Dirtbag. Right, Maeve studies at London College of Music and has gathered over 4,000 followers on TikTok, where she uploads videos doing viral dance routines, playing guitar and cooking
Nativity is forever captivated by one hilarious scene. fans is the hilarious moment a young girl called Sam auditions for the school play with a rendition of Wheatus’ Teenage Dirtbag.
And the little girl, famous for her striped beanie hat, was played by 20-year-old Maeve who is a Coventry local who moved to London to study music at university.
Maeve attended West Coventry Academy before studying at London College of Music and has gathered over 4,000 followers on TikTok, where she uploads videos doing viral dance routines, playing guitar and cooking.
After another TikTok user requested that cast members duet their video, Maeve shared her film role with her fans.
‘You still rock the beanie though Maeve’, wrote one. A second added “Out of all the others I ever wondered how YOU were doing”
Jake Pratt (25), as Alfie
Alfie Scarborough was the actor who is best remembered for fighting with Oli over Joseph’s role. Right, Pratt went on to star in the West End’s Billy Elliot the Musical, where he played the role of Michael before bagging the part of Nigel Hicks in the Stratford production of Matilda the Musical
Remembered for his fight with Oli over the coveted role of Joseph, Alfie was played by 25-year-old Jake from Scarborough.
Jake first entered the public eye in series one of Britain’s Got Talent where he reached the semi-finals doing stand up comedy.
Following his stint on the reality show he appeared on kids’s show Green Balloon Club and did voice over work before landing the role of Alfie in the comedy Christmas film.
After Nativity! Pratt went on to star in the West End’s Billy Elliot the Musical, where he played the role of Michael before bagging the part of Nigel Hicks in the Stratford production of Matilda the Musical.
Jake is in a long-term relationship with Olivia and would play Tommy in the West End version of Tommy.
Tom McGarrity (27), as Zack
Tom, from Coventry, was Mr Poppy’s fictional teacher and was referred to as Zack Efron. Right, Tom is a talented dancer and has spent the last few years working as a dancer performing on cruises and in holiday parks
According to Mr Poppy, Zack is the fictional “Zac Efron” of the school. Tom, a 27-year-old Coventry native, played Zack. He has since pursued a career as a showbiz star.
Tom is a skilled dancer, and has been performing as a cruise and holiday park dancer for many years.
He performed at Birchington Vale Holiday Park, Kent for a season and then embarked on a cruise with Mirage Shows.
Over the years he’s travelled all over the world performing, posting snaps from Australia and South Africa while working as a cruise ship singer.