Star Wars 7: Lucky fan joining JJ Abrams' cast revealed in tweet along with movie hint

DC Barns from Denver will be flown to the UK for a minor role in the movie

Star Wars: Episode VII, directed by JJ Abrams, will be released in December 2015 (Getty Images)

The lucky Star Wars fan heading to London to take up a minor role in JJ Abrams’ forthcoming seventh instalment has been revealed in an online video and tweet.

DC Barns, from Denver, Colorado will be flying to the UK with a guest for a behind-the-scenes tour of Pinewood Studios, a meeting with the cast and a costume fitting, before starring in a scene.

The competition, organised by the Force for Change charity, promised sci-fi lovers the once-in-a-lifetime chance to win in exchange for donations of $10 or more. To date, the popular contest has raised more than $5 million for UNICEF worldwide.

Take a look at DC Barns receiving the surprise of his life from the Force for Change team.

“This, this is my new favourite Star Wars moment!” says an overjoyed Barns, whose first encounter with the franchise was in a cinema aged 5 back in 1977.

Director Abrams tweeted a handwritten message from the Bad Robot account, thanking all contributors and name-checking lifelong fan Barns, while dropping another possible hint in the form of the mysterious mechanical hand seen holding the note.

“The Star Wars fans are some of the most passionate and committed folks around the globe,” Abrams said in a video recorded on set in Abu Dhabi.

“We’re thrilled to offer a chance to come behind the scenes as our VIP guests and be in Star Wars: Episode VII.,” he added. “We’re even more excited that by participating in this campaign, Star Wars fans will be helping children around the world.”