The Courier & Advertiser (Perth and Perthshire Edition)
Skater Darcy makes small screen magic
An Angus figure skater has become a star of the small screen after appearing in network giant O2’s first ever Christmas commercial.
Darcy Murdoch, from Birkhill, featured on the 60-second advert premiered in a primetime slot on Saturday evening, during The Voice on ITV.
It shows Darcy skating in a winter landscape alongside Bubl, the network’s robot mascot.
Darcy’s little sister Lexi, 7, was also filmed as part of the advert, and her version will hit our screens in the coming days.
The pair were selected out of hundreds of other young hopefuls across the country for the roles.
Darcy and Lexi’s mum, Dawn, said: “It all started a few months ago when the girls’ skating coaches at Dundee Ice Arena, Debbie and Andy Briggs, said that O2 were looking for a 10-year-old to skate and act in their Christmas advert.
“Darcy was keen to apply and went through all the auditions until finally being chosen to take part.
“The team were also then looking for another little girl, and Lexi auditioned and also got the role.”
Darcy and Lexi have both skated with Dundee Ice Club since they were four and two respectively.
Dawn said: “They just loved filming the roles and the producer said that Darcy was a natural.
“Darcy has also stayed very modest about it all, not even telling her friends
that it was to be on television at the weekend.
“However, she was very excited when she saw the finished product for the first time herself.”
It marks a first foray into Christmas advertising for O2, as the company tries to make the most of a market which has been made popular by the likes of John Lewis in recent years.
In the production, Darcy begins to take her first steps on the ice and help is at hand in the form of Bubl the robot.
Bubl and Darcy glide around on the ice, supporting each other.
The dream then fades and reveals Darcy is actually watching Olaf ’s Fr o z e n Adventure on Disney+ via her new tablet.
Nina B i b b y, chief marketing officer at O2, said: “Our story brings to life the power of imagination, and the importance of connectivity at a time when we might be apart from the people and things we love.
“We wanted to bring some Christmas magic to screens this year, and Darcy is a true star.”