Already a world-wide sports star, he became a crossover phenomenon with the release of the 2002 comedy film "Bend It Like Beckham, " in which a British-born Indian girl dreams of playing with her hero.

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One woman added, "U got some brass balls, girl ... u r my hero!!!!"

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The second film was 'The Night Flyer', the story of a hero who goes out in search of the girl of his dreams, involving trains and birds - lots of birds.

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South Wales Police said that as a 10-year-old, Joshua was hailed a local hero in the local newspaper when his quick thinking helped save the life of an eight year-old girl who suffered a serious head injury after falling.

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