THE child star of the milk advert that catapulted the name of Accrington Stanley into television history this week backed the club for promotion to the Football League.

Scouse actor Carl Rice, now 26, took part in a week-long Radio 1 link-up with the Interlink Express Stadium.

He launched his career in the 1989 advert where he said the famous line: "My mum says Ian Rush says if you don't drink your milk you'll end up playing for Accrington Stanley."

His co-star, Kevin Staine, said "Accrington Stanley, who are they?", to which Carl replied: "Exactly".

The advert, which was made by the Milk Marketing Board, gained Carl an advertising award and embedded Accrington Stanley in the minds of viewers across the UK, keeping the name alive and gaining them a host of new fans.

Carl, who made a surprise appearance on Colin and Edith's afternoon Radio 1 show on Tuesday, said: "I owe a lot to the club and I really hope they make it back to the League.

"The advert launched my career and everyone always recites it to me. I was only eight at the time and the producers came round schools in Liverpool looking for two lads. In the initial script I was going to say Tottenham Hotspur which would have made it rubbish.

"After filming we were invited to Anfield by Ian Rush and got to meet all the players, it was fantastic. The advert was shown for about six years."

Carl now lives with his girlfriend in Manchester and after starring in Brookside, Casualty and other hit television shows, he played lead roles in the theatre before taking up script-writing and stand-up comedy.

Stanley chief executive Rob Heys said: "Being on Radio 1 has been brilliant because it's helped the club reach an audience of young people around the country that we wouldn't normally reach.

"I do remember the advert, it was cool. It must be one of the most famous associations with the town and it was great for the club."

Radio presenter Edith Bowman said: "Stanley are the first football club we've had on the lunchtime link-up and what a top bunch they are.

"The girls in the office have been brilliant fun all week. And we seem to have got a huge part of the country behind them in their quest to get into the League again. We wish them all the best."

Rob Heys and chairman Eric Whalley were among those interviewed on the show and given the chance to have their favourite songs played on air.