Action! It's all guns blazing on movie set with Keanu

A mate of mine has been working as a stunt double on a film being shot on the East Coast.

Knowing I write for the Star, he invited me along to experience movie-making for myself.

It just so happened that it was Keanu Reeves's new movie John Wick. What are the chances, eh?

The film is a political thriller about an ex-hit man struggling to leave his old life behind after his wife dies and also stars Willem Defoe and Bridget Moynahan. It's due out later in the year.

When I arrived on set, Keanu's stunt double was in the middle of shooting a scene.

Guns were blazing, lights were flashing and bodies were flying everywhere. It was spectacular.

The real Keanu was sat behind the camera watching everything.

I remained professional and I didn't approach him just in case he was getting ready for his next scene. I know he's a bit of a method actor, you see.

However, a familiar face who did strike up a conversation with me was Alfie Allen, AKA Theon Greyjoy in Game of Thrones (I love that show). He's also Lily Allen's little brother.

"Alright?" He asked me in his thick east London accent. I have to admit, it did make me feel slightly closer to home. We chatted and he soon realised where I was from, teasing me with, "Ow am ya?" in a slight cockney twang. Still, it's the thought that counts, I guess.

As well as getting to meet some famous faces, the best thing about being on movie sets is the buffet.

But it's true. There are always tables and tables full of delicious, freshly-prepared food for when the cast and crew get hungry. It's on tap, anytime. Just help yourself. So I did.

I thought it best to enjoy my last dose of delicious American food before I returned back to the UK for the festivities.

I managed to get a last-minute flight back to Blighty just before Christmas, as a surprise for my grandparents – and they really appreciated it.

Time at home has given me time to reflect on the past two months in NYC. It's been incredible adventure and a very steep learning curve. I really can't wait to see what's going to happen this year.

Before I left the Big Apple I was lucky enough to see the first snow fall there – which turned into an almighty storm.

The arrival of snow did add wintry magic to the city though and, just like any other foreigner, ice-skating in Central Park was top of my to-do list.

Thanks to films such as Home Alone, us Brits are obsessed with the magic of New York at Christmas and it certainly lived up to my expectations.

But now it's all over, it's back to work for me.

While at home, my nan and grandpa gave me a little piece of coal. They insisted I keep it in my purse for good luck. A £50 note might have felt luckier but, oh well, it's right there, as instructed.

Let's see if it brings me good fortune in 2014.