“He was a cross between David Bowie and Marc Bolan,” Howells told The Big Issue.
“Gender fluid and, later, an inspiration to so many.”
At the time, Paget’s spending habits were considered foolish in a way that challenged Edwardian society.
But he has gone on to become “a bit of an icon” and is now seen as a wild expression of individualism.
Howells, from Pontypridd, said he fell in love with Paget, known as the “Dancing Marquess”, after reading the script for the film.
There were many aspects of Paget’s life that remained a mystery which made him an “enigma”, said Howells, including no conclusive evidence about his sexuality.
“It was never confirmed he was gay, because his diaries were destroyed and, of course, homosexuality was illegal,” he said.
“That’s what made this role so thrilling for me and I didn’t want to impose a sexuality on him.”