"Auckland landscaper James West, 25, is the lead actor in John, New Zealand's first-ever professionally-produced gay porn DVD,"writes Matt Akersten. He now reveals what it was like behind the scenes, the family crisis behind his decision to have sex on camera, and his thoughts on whether he would repeat the experience with a sequel."

Q: How did you get involved in John?

James West: I saw it advertised in a newspaper, and I needed money for mum. My mum had cervical cancer, and she's had quite a few scares with breast cancer. My father passed away Christmas 2004, so it was sort of like 'oh God, it's happening again'. I thought I'd better step in and help her out. She needed help financially. I asked her whether she would approve if I did this, and she said ‘yeah go for it'. So I went for the audition for the role of 'Darius the stripper'. Four days later, they called me and offered me the full part - John, which I took.

Q: Were you nervous?

James West: It was very nerve-wracking. Before the filming, I'd never played with sex toys before, and never watched a porn movie or read a porn magazine. At first I couldn't get it up! READ MORE