A teenager was escorted to prom by her dad dressed as a Star Wars stormtrooper so he could fulfil his childhood dream - despite claiming she's NOT even a fan of the films.
Rebecca Fayers admits she was 'unsure' when her Star Wars superfan father Michael Fayers asked if he and two pals could dress up as characters from their sci-fi favourite to escort her to Year 11 prom. The 16-year-old, who lives in Ipswich, Suffolk, confesses she was initially 'unsure' about such an unconventional prom entrance - but soon warmed to the wacky idea suggested by her sci-fi-mad dad as it was 'a bit different'.
Photos show 51-year-old Michael attending the event in his fan outfit alongside two family friends from his Star Wars costume group 'Vaiders Raiders' who donned a stormtrooper and Chewbacca costume. Michael, who works as a joiner, said he was 'as excited as his daughter' to go to prom and live out his dream of being a real-life stormtrooper.
And Rebecca said her head-turning arrival made her school prom that much more 'memorable' for her teachers and classmates. Mum-of-two Cheryl Fayers said: "We were just sitting at the table and Michael said how would you like Star Wars characters to escort you into prom instead of a car?
"I said to Rebecca 'if you don't want this, you need to say so'. She came down and said she would do it. I've watched the films myself but I'm not obsessed with it. We're not really a superfan family, it's more Michael."
Rebecca added: "I think when the idea was first brought up, I was a bit unsure about it because it's not a normal thing for an entrance so I was really unsure. I wouldn't really call myself a fan. I've watched the films, but I'm not really a fan.
"But I wanted something memorable and a bit different. I didn't care what everyone thought, because I wasn't going to see them again. I felt a bit like Princess Leia. I think some people must've been confused because it's not the normal thing to do."
Despite Michael admitting his daughter has 'had enough of his nerdiness', he says she embraced the idea of a Star Wars-themed entrance. Michael said: "I dress up pretty much most weekends. It's great fun especially making people smile. Initially it was because I always wanted to be a Stormtrooper so when the opportunity came up to buy the kit, I just did it.
"It's nice I got to live out my dream of being a Stormtrooper so when this opportunity came along I snapped it up. I was just as excited as her to go to prom. It definitely filled me with a lot of pride. I didn't want to force anything onto her but she said yes. It didn't really take any convincing. I think she's probably had enough of my 'nerdiness' and got a bit bored of it now.
"It was just something totally different to what everyone else does. Rebecca really embraced it - she wasn't embarrassed, it was her choice. People were totally shocked to see us coming over the brow of the hill. We got some claps. It's nice that people will remember it."
