NORTH man Micky Cochrane is probably the best actor in the world . . . after appearing in the new Carlsberg advert. Micky, of Heaton, Newcastle, and his two co-stars have become instant telly hits after taking centre stage in the brewery giant’s latest ad campaign. Titled “Probably the best karaoke night in the world”, the trio are seen arriving at a music festival by helicopter and signing autographs for their “support act”, Washington-born pop legend Bryan Ferry. They strut on stage in front of a crowd of thousands to sing a ropey version of the classic Dancin’ In The Streets with the help of a karaoke autocue. Micky, 31, revealed their deliberately duff performance took place in front of a real-life music festival crowd. He said: “We actually had to film it at the O2 festival in London’s Hyde Park in front of about 25,000 people. It was such a buzz . . . a great experience and a lot of fun. “No one else at the festival knew that we were doing an advert, so we got in the way of quite a few confused roadies and crew members. “Our mikes were set up at the front of the stage, surrounded by loads of bands’ equipment. We did two takes. The first one was just before Mark Ronson was due on, so people in the crowd gave very confused looks when we walked on and started singing the Martha Reeves and the Vandellas’ track. “The second time was great because it was just before a set by Faithless, so obviously it was packed . . . and some people really did shout out ‘we love you!’. “It was something I would love to do in real life — sing in front of lots of people — because I’m actually in a band, the Known World, with my brother Stephen. “We didn’t meet any band members but did get to go into the VIP bit, where we saw Caprice.” Roxy Music front man Ferry showed he was game for a laugh with his comedy cameo appearance and as a fellow Northerner, Micky relished the chance to chat to him. Micky, who had to perform Wham’s Wake Me Up Before You Go-Go and Uptown Girl at the ad auditions, said: “He was good fun. We filmed his bit separately and got to play basketball and table football in between takes. “You have thoughts about stars before you meet them but he walked up to me, asked where I was from and we ended up talking about the music industry and what he’s doing in the future. He was really sound.” The Carlsberg advert represents the biggest campaign Micky has taken part in, but from this Wednesday you’ll get to see him star in another telly ad. He stars in a clip for the Royal Quays shopping outlet in North Shields, North Tyneside, playing a shopaholic admitting to his obsession for sportswear. He added: “It’s a really funny series of adverts . . . all the characters are in therapy talking about why they love shopping, and I play a guy called Steven who is wearing 25 tracksuit tops all at once.” Log on to www. sundaysun.co.uk to see the ad in full. Ferry’s inspiration Page 15 | 
