Catherine Zeta-Jones' big break 'pure good fortune' after chance encounter

Catherine Zeta-Jones' big break 'pure good fortune' after chance encounterImage source, Getty ImagesImage caption, Oscar-winning actor Catherine Zeta-Jones played Mariette in ITV drama The Darling Buds of MayByEleri GriffithsBBC WalesPublished8 minutes agoThe producer of a hit TV show says Catherine Zeta-Jones' breakout role came down to "pure good fortune" after he spotted her by chance.Pip Burley, who worked on the ITV 90s comedy-drama The Darling Buds of May, recalled meeting the Hollywood star in the reception room of his final casting session.He said he spotted "a beautiful girl" in a yellow dress and invited her to audition for Mariette, despite Jones only being in the building for a light entertainment programme."She was a lovely girl, and very smart," Burley explained. He also revealed that American actor Danny DeVito was once considered to play Pop Larkin, among other unexpected casting twists. Burley, who also composed the theme song for the series, said he first spotted Swansea-born Jones on the musical 42nd Street as a second understudy."We were struck with her," he told BBC Radio Wales.Image source, Getty ImagesImage caption, While casting for The Darling Buds of May, producer Pip Burley invited Jones for an unexpected audition Originally from Croydon, Burley revealed he found The Darling Buds of May easier to write than to cast, with the role of Mariette proving especially hard as "lots of young actresses just didn't excite us".At the final casting session at the Yorkshire Television offices in Bloomsbury, he noticed Jones in reception.After three final women auditioned, Burley explained how the casting director told the group to "make your mind up"."I said hang about, there was a girl down in reception, dark hair and yellow dress, and he [the casting director] said she wasn't on his list," Burley said."So I said for heaven's sake ring down to...