A slice of history: Child star of iconic Hovis ad recreates cobbled street scene 40 years on

Forty years ago he struggled up the cobbled hill with his baker's bicycle and created one of the most famous scenes in TV history.

And when Carl Barlow was invited back to Shaftesbury in Dorset he couldn't resist retracing his footsteps in the nostalgic Hovis advert.

Carl was 13 when he starred in the sepia-tinged advert which was directed by Ridley Scott, then starting out his illustrious career.

Now aged 54, he went on to become a firefighter in London, but never forgot the part he played in Britain's favourite all-time TV ad.

He returned to the picturesque town to turn on the Christmas lights but first posed with flat cap, Hovis loaves and old-fashioned bike at the top of the scenic Gold Hill.

Carl said: "It is such an important place to me. It is getting harder to climb up the hill now I'm a bit older, but it is still enjoyable.

"I've been back a couple of times since the advert was filmed but this year they asked me to turn the Christmas lights on. I was absolutely honoured."

He added: "The advert has been such a big part of my life and it really captured the hearts of the nation.

"Ridley Scott made it even more of a big deal.

"I remember he was very particular about everything, with real attention to detail - even a door knob half way down the hill had to be prefect."

After the advert, Londoner Carl finished school before training to become a blacksmith but changed his mind almost immediately after qualifying and joined the fire brigade.

He has now retired after more than 30 years service in East Ham, London and is relaxing with his partner, Linda.

Six years after the evocative advert, set to a haunting melody from Dvorak's Symphony No. 9, Ridley Scott achieved international stardom with Alien, followed by Blade Runner three years later.

Carl planted some snowdrops and enjoyed a tour of the town before switching on the Christmas light display on Monday night.