Gentile, 37, is a pastry chef who identifies as a hobbit, which are characterised by their stocky build, pointy ears, hairy feet, and their love of food.    

Nicolas has been praised by actors from the original film, including Elijah Wood who played Frodo, who are backing his campaign to turn his land into a real-life Hobbiton.  In a video shared to Instagram, Elijah said: "I hope this finds you happy, healthy and well. I went to your Instagram page and it is incredible what you are doing. I love the costumes, the individual set photos that you have done, in front of fires, smoking a pipe. It’s so beautiful. Well done! I can’t wait to watch your progress and I will follow you on Instagram. That is so amazing. If I’m ever in your neck of the woods, in your shire, I would love to visit.’’  

Scottish actor Billy Boyd, who played Pippin in the films, added: “I know a friend of Nicolas! It’s me, Pippin Took. Let’s help Nicolas build his own shire, which I think would be a wonderful thing!” 

 Nicolas is now planning to transform five acres of Bucchianico countryside, near the town of Chieti in Abruzzo, into a hobbit village. He's even committed to completing a hobbit pilgrimage, by walking over 120 miles to throw a 'one ring' into a volcanic crater, recreating the plot from Tolkien's epic saga - as The Guardian reports.  In an interview with the paper, he said: "Some time ago, I realised that books and films were no longer enough for me to satisfy my passion for the fantasy genre and, in particular, for the Lord of the Rings saga  "I was still reading about the lives of other people. I decided that I wanted to live my hobbit life to the fullest. Some think I am trying to escape from reality. Far from it.  “I am living my dream, my adventure. By purchasing that piece of land, I have removed it from a reality that I don’t like and am shaping it the way I want."

Actor Sean Astin, who played Samwise Gamgee in the films directed by Peter Jackson, also messaged Nicolas. He said: "I know you walked for 300km to throw the ring into Vesuvius…Into Vesuvius! This is an amazing thing! I don’t know if the Italian mountains are Mordor, but all that effort and work is a wonderful thing!”