Fireman Pat lifts Milk Tray ad man role

A FIREMAN has seen off more than 20,000 hopefuls to clinch the role of Cadbury’s new modern Milk Tray Man by impressing judges with a line in thoughtful banter while performing a rescue lift.

Patrick McBride, a 39-year-old husband and father, was so determined to win the role that he donned his full firefighting kit for the London audition and swung a bystander into a fireman’s lift.

Liverpudlian Patrick ( above) – who has combined modelling and TV ad work with a 14-year career with the Cheshire Fire and Rescue Service – ticked all the boxes for choc giant Cadbury, which launched the search last year for a new recruit to don the famous black polo neck.

Patrick said: “At the castings I had to talk about myself and what I do in the fire service.

“I decided to put my full fire kit on and asked if anyone minded a fireman’s lift, and presented a box of Milk Tray.

“My wife’s so happy for me. She’s made up. I think it will sink in when the billboards are up and the ads are on TV. I think she’ll be pleased she’s married to the Milk Tray Man.”

He added: “I’d expect some playful banter at work. Maybe they’ll come to work wearing black polo necks.”