There was a starring role for Leicester Mercury writer Elaine Galloway when she volunteered to be in a new commercial to highlight the city’s shopping centre.

But the harsh reality of filming came as something of a shock when compared to the expectations of glitz and glamour of the TV industry.

Elaine found herself standing in the city centre at 6am on a wet Wednesday, waiting for her moment.

The advert is to be screened on the local ITV network to persuade people to travel into Leicester to do their Christmas shopping.

It starred ‘The Family’, which was to be followed around by a flying fairy. Elaine and the 15 other volunteers were to be part of a crowd scene – the finale to the glittering ad.

She wrote in the Mercury: “Despite the fact that most actors will tell you how difficult their job is at the drop of a hat, I still believed working in TV was extremely glamorous and revelled in saying: “I’m sorry, I can’t. I’m filming”.

“I didn’t expect my own trailer but I had imagined myself swanning about the city feeling very important as lights and cameras followed my every move.

“Instead, I found myself stood at the Clocktower at 6am on a very wet and cold Wednesday morning wondering why on earth I’d volunteered for such a stupid job.”

But she said, when their role finally took shape: “The excitement meant each one of us was grinning for real as we filmed the scene.”

For those in the Central TV region, the advert is due to be screened for the first time on Friday, November 17 at 7.26pm.

Do you have a story for us?
Ring the HoldTheFrontPage newsdesk on
01332 291111 x6022, or to e-mail us now – click here