Friday, April 26, 2024
1Rock geek about to hit the big time

Rock geek about to hit the big time

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qw9rHM9BYZY]

By ALEXANDER LAWRIE

BRITAIN’S GOT TALENT superstar Susan Boyle will have a new Scottish rival to contend with during Saturday’s final extravaganza.

Rock geek William Swales, 22, will be appearing during the popular show’s ad break alongside bonafide guitar god Bruce Watson from Big Country.

The advert for a Glasgow music shop will be aired for the first time on Saturday and is all set to propel William to superstar status.

The Jack Black look-a-like wears a tweed jacket, bow tie and thick, dark-framed glasses and the unlikely looking axe hero has proved such a hit with the music shop, Merchant City Music, they have just signed him up to become the public face of the company.

The tongue-in-cheek video for the renowned Glasgow guitar shop is made by Plum Films and features William and Bruce amongst a wide range of people playing guitars and rocking out.

Talent spotted

Tina Foster, Plum Films co-founder, said: “William might be a bit late for Britain’s Got Talent this year, but who knows – he might enter next year. The advert was a fantastic result for everyone involved.

“The basic idea behind the video was to create a campaign which would engage the target audience and make for memorable viewing.

“This ad is all about the universal appeal of guitar playing – there’s young and old, male and female in there and the one thing they all have in common is their love of the instrument.

“Director John Clayton spotted William’s ‘talent’ as soon as filming began and knew that he would become a key player in the advert.

“He looks like such an unlikely rock star, but that’s part of his appeal. When he was performing, he just went for it – he was a bit like Jack Black in School of Rock.”

Stars join in fun

Those who have seen the ad have been so entranced by William’s sterling performance they’ve actually missed the existing Scottish celebrity in the advert – Bruce Watson from legendary Scottish rockers Big Country.

Tina added: “One of the make-up artists we use at Plum is married to Derek Forbes of Simple Minds and Four Good Men fame. So we asked him if he wanted to come and join in the fun.

“Sadly, because of touring responsibilities Derek couldn’t join in, but he did set up Bruce coming along to take part and he was a good laugh, getting right into the spirit of things.”

William, a music student at Stow College, said: “It was good fun getting involved and I certainly didn’t expect to be on for as long as I was, but now that all my mates know I’m in it, they’re getting ready to spread it far and wide over the weekend once it’s aired on TV.”

William will make his television debut during the Britain’s Got Talent final, before the hilarious advert is broadcast across the country over the coming weeks.

The advert can be found at:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qw9rHM9BYZY

http://www.vimeo.com/4882099

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