Country’s favourite trolley collector on fame, acting and signing on for top model agency
Heather Greenaway He sent temperatures soaring as hunky trolley collector Ted 2 in Peter Kay’s award-winning comedy Car Share.
So it stands to reason that Danny Swarsbrick’s day job is as one of Scotland’s top male models. The chiselled 29-year-old, who returns to TV screens when the new series of the hit show airs in May, is signed to top Glasgow model agency Colours. Despite living in Bolton, Lancashire, Danny does most of his modelling work in Scotland and has fronted campaigns for Loch Lomond Whisky, Balmoral Knitwear and Buchanan Galleries. In Car Share, Danny is trolley attendant Ted 2 who takes over from Old Ted, who died of a heart attack in episode two. The strapping six- footer, who is also signed to Manchester-based Boss Model Management, said: “I was wandering round the Girls Day Out event in Manchester a few years ago when I got discovered by Colours. Schofield, 23, won’t reveal just how much wi l l be on display but says viewers won’t be disappointed. He said: “I am so excited about the second series. I had so much fun filming it and I know fans are going to love it as much as the first. “I don’t want to say too much but there is some ice-lolly licking, topless hedge trimming and a fancy dress costume that doesn’t leave much to the imagination. “I was over the moon about appearing in the first series and getting to come back for the second is the icing on the cake. Hopefully Ted 2 will make it to series three if there is one.” Despite the pedigree of the show’s creator, Danny had no idea just how big Car Share was going to be. He said: “I was in a restaurant the night after it first aired and I overheard two girls at the next table saying, ‘Did you see that trolley guy Ted 2 last night in Car Share?’ “I went over at the end of the night and introduced myself and they went a deep shade of red. It was very surreal. I never dreamed so many people would watch it. “When we were filming the second series last year, I was given a caravan with my name on the door. That’s when it struck me just how proud I was to be a part of the programme.” Danny leapt at the chance to work with his comedy hero. He said: “My agent phoned and said he had a role I would be perfect for and it was with Peter Kay. I couldn’t quite believe it.
“I’m Bolton born and bred and to my family he is a national treasure.
“At the audition I had to take a trolley from Sian Gibson, who plays Kayleigh, and swagger off. My agent phoned that night to say Peter Kay loved me and I’d got the job. I was beside myself.”
The fitness fanatic, whose first acting role was in a TV advert for Seven Seas vitamins, found the Phoenix Nights star a dream to work with.
He said: “Peter is exactly the same in real life as he is in the show. He’s friendly, down to earth and makes time for everyone.
“He directed me and walked me through all my scenes and would chat with me in between takes.
“Sian is lovely too. I was in make-up with her the night after Car Share won the Bafta for the best comedy series and we posed together for a picture with the trophy.”
Danny, who also helps out with his family’s heating, air conditioning and ventilation business, would love to become an international model. He said: “My dream is to follow in the footsteps of David Gandy and model for Dolce & Gabbana and Calvin Klein. You never know, Car Share might open doors for me. I really hope so.”
Rosalynd Ramage, of Colours, said: “Danny has star quality. He has an incredible work ethic and deserves every success.
“We were not surprised when he landed the role in Car Share. The sky is the limit for this extremely talented and hard-working model.”
Peter Kay is exactly the same in real life as he is in the show