Wahlberg hopes lessons are learned from Deepwater Horizon film

Mark Wahlberg has said he hopes big oil companies will learn from the Deepwater Horizon explosion, as a new film about the 2010 disaster debuts in UK cinemas.

The Oscar-nominated actor plays Mike Williams in the film, who was the last person to make it out alive from the BP oil rig in the Gulf of Mexico.

Wahlberg posed with Williams on the red carpet, and said: "He's an amazing guy and has done some extraordinary things. He doesn't like being called a hero but he certainly is in my eyes."

Eleven people were killed after the Deepwater Horizon explosion, which caused the worst oil spill in US history.

Wahlberg said the movie teaches the importance of being calm under pressure, and expressed hope that enough has been done to ensure such a disaster never happens again.

The star said he was fascinated by Williams' story and the heroic things he did - adding that he took his role "very seriously" as he needed to earn the electrician's respect.

"You've got to show them how committed you are to getting the story right and doing the work and thankfully Mike and I became very close," Wahlberg added.

The lifestyle of oil rig workers also struck a chord for Wahlberg on a personal level, as his job also takes him away from his family on a regular basis.

:: Deepwater Horizon is released in cinemas across the UK on Thursday.