A HARRY STYLES superfan says it “meant the world” to have a fleeting meeting with the star at the set of his new film.

Francesca Thornton, 23, had been hoping to catch a glimpse of the musician while he was filming a scene for his upcoming movie My Policeman at Brighton's Royal Pavilion on Sunday.

After managing to secure a great vantage point from which to watch Harry with his co-star Emma Corrin, Francesca said she decided to wait by the gate of the Pavilion Gardens to watch him leave.

She was thrilled to not only see her idol leave the set, but also to get a wave and a smile as he drove by.

She said: “I was next to the car while it was at the traffic lights and I was jokingly waving, blowing kisses, saying thank you, while my friend showed him a painting she did.

“Then, just as the lights changed to green, he rolled his window down and waved to us. He was really sweet.

The Argus: Harry Styles has been filming at locations across Brighton and HoveHarry Styles has been filming at locations across Brighton and Hove

“To have even the smallest of interactions with someone who I’ve looked up to all these years was truly amazing.”

Francesca, who identifies as queer, said getting an acknowledgement from Harry “meant the world” as she sees him as an ambassador for challenging gender norms.

She said: “I think Harry as a solo artist really resonates with me because as someone who is queer, it’s so reassuring and heart-warming to see other influential people being so accepting and embracing of their identity.

The Argus: Harry Styles and Emma Corrin filming My Policeman in BrightonHarry Styles and Emma Corrin filming My Policeman in Brighton

“He really lives out his mantra ‘treat people with kindness’. He seems like one of the nicest people in the music industry, and film now.”

Francesca, a Brighton University graduate, thinks the film will be a “boost” for the city and encourage people to visit locations used as sets.

She said: “The film has given job opportunities to people working with the crew and set and it has increased business for some places such as The Vine pub, where Harry filmed in Worthing.

The Argus: My Policeman stars Harry Styles and Emma CorrinMy Policeman stars Harry Styles and Emma Corrin

“I’m excited to see how Brighton will look in the film. Once the film is released it will continue to be a boost of promotion for the city with more tourists visiting, and perhaps visiting places they wouldn’t usually consider to go to such as Brighton Museum and Art Gallery and further afield like Worthing and Newhaven.”

Harry Styles, known for being of the most successful members of One Direction, plays Tom, a police officer, in My Policeman.

The story takes place in the late 1990s when the arrival of Patrick, an elderly invalid, triggers an exploration of events from 40 years earlier – Tom and Patrick’s relationship at a time when being gay was illegal.

Emma Corrin, 25, who played Princess Diana in The Crown, plays Marion, Harry's on-screen wife.