Tickets to see the much-hyped Slumdog Millionaire sold out on its opening weekend at a Harrow cinema as thousands flocked to see home-grown star Dev Patel.

More than 2,600 people managed to book seats at Harrow Vue cinema in St George’s Shopping Centre to watch the former Whitmore High School pupil star in Danny Boyle’s new film.

Dev, 18, of Rayners Lane, Harrow, has already won the Critics’ Choice Award for best actor and newcomer of the year at the British Independent Film Awards, he has also been nominated for the best leading actor gong at the Orange British Academy Film Awards.

And the teenager vied with stars including Kate Winslet and Leonardo DiCaprio at the Golden Globes on Sunday, where the movie picked up best film award.

A spokesperson for Harrow Vue said: "Last weekend we saw a massive demand for tickets for Slumdog Millionaire with all of the Harrow screenings selling out. Sales for the over 18 screening were also expected to sell out on Tuesday evening.

"The star, Dev Patel, is from Harrow, so it is fantastic to see the local community getting behind the rising star. Slumdog Millionaire is already tipped to be one of the biggest films of the year."

Teachers at Dev’s old schools have been surprised to see their former pupil lighting up the big screen.

Judy Moss, a teacher at Longfield First School, in Duke’s Avenue, North Harrow, taught him when he was six years old.

She said: "I went to see the film at the weekend and he was very good. I am very excited for him. He has been our most famous pupil yet. He hasn’t changed, well he’s taller, but I remember his face."

The acting assistant head revealed Dev was not known for his acting talent. She said: "He was an unremarkable little boy, he didn’t stand out in any way, so it is interesting he has done so well.

"I think when he went into the middle school was when he came into his own."

Now Mrs Moss hopes he will inspire actors of the future.

She said: "I think he will be mentioned as a great role model in our school and children will identify with him and see it is an opportunity for them too."

Dev started his acting career in the Channel 4 teen drama Skins, but before he won the role he wowed teachers at Whitmore High School, in Porlock Avenue.

Teacher Niamh Wright said: "Dev was a gifted student who quickly impressed me with his innate ability to communicate a wide variety of characters imaginatively and creatively.

"He was awarded full marks for his GCSE performance, and the visiting examiner was moved to tears by his honest portrayal of a child in the Beslan school hostage crisis in Russia.

"We are extremely proud of Dev, who was a dream to teach."