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Manchester Evening News
Manchester Evening News
National
Thomas Molloy

Apprentice barber from Greater Manchester swaps scissors for TV screens in McDonald's advert

If you've watched TV in the past week, you'll have no doubt seen the newest McDonald's advert.

In the minute-long clip, a teenager gets his mum's old car for his birthday and is initially ridiculed by his friends.

The boy then visits the drive-thru and returns home with a new found sense of confidence, before thanking his mum by handing her some chicken nuggets.

Joshua Ord, a barbering apprentice from Tottington, is the unlikely star of the advert, not least because he's not actually old enough to drive.

Joshua Ord (Chloe Maylor/Warwick Management)

The 16-year-old, who works four days a week at Slate Barbers in Ramsbottom, told the Manchester Evening News: "It's been crazy. I've had so many messages and the response has been very positive.

"My agent Lauren Warwick put me forward for it and I got asked to do a self-tape. I did that and they recalled me to a Zoom call with the directors and I got the role.

"I was pretty gobsmacked when I got it. At the time, I wasn't expecting to get it because it's an 18-year-old character, I'm only 16 and I obviously can't drive!

"I've had loads of messages asking if I was actually driving and I've joked saying that I was. It's quite cool because I know what I look like when I drive now."

Joshua joined agency Warwick Management four years ago and has previously appeared in the Department for Education's Get Into Teaching adverts.

He was initially set on studying drama at Pendleton College but decided to do barbering as a 'plan B' from acting, after enjoying it on a college open day.

Joshua Ord (left) in the McDonald's advert with his on-screen mum (McDonald's)

The Bolton College student beat thousands of auditionees to land the role and he's hoping it will propel him towards more acting jobs.

"I'd like to get a serious role that can show how much I can act," Joshua added.

"Something like a war film would be the dream. Hopefully this just raises my profile a bit more."

The advert is directed by 32 from Pulse Films made in collaboration with advertising agency Leo Burnett.

Joshua's dad Phil added: "It's been a bit surreal seeing him on there and the fact it's such a big company, it's absolutely crazy."

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