Hopkins and his wife Stella were at Margam Castle to make arrangements for his 70th birthday party on New Year’s Eve. The couple, who live in California, did not know that Geraint Hopkins, a local snake enthusiast, had just finished a children’s show at the castle with his African rock python, Socrates.

Geraint Hopkins -- despite sharing the last name, the two men did not know each other -- decided to introduce the film star to his snake and vice versa.

"Sir Anthony was not nervous at all -- he let Socrates curl itself round his neck and looked as if he was really enjoying himself,” Geraint told The Evening Post. "He was really friendly and down-to-earth -- not like the character he played in 'The Silence of the Lambs.'”

Geraint may get a party invitation. Hopkins’ guest list includes friends from early childhood, including some he has not seen for more than 60 years.