A BRIGHT spark from Hyndburn who thought someone was playing a practical joke is set to be beamed across our TV screens tonight.
Self-employed electrician Julian Aspin, 28, of Northern Lights Electrical and Plumbing Ltd, in Meadow Street, Great Harwood, is making his TV debut on DIY SOS with presenter Nick Knowles at 8.30pm on BBC1.
He was tracked down by the production team via the online directory Yell.com.
The programme's regular electrician Billy was unable to make the filming in Rawtenstall because he was going to a wedding so Julian was asked to fill in as the show's handyman.
Julian, who lives with his partner Jane Tweddle and their 12-week-old son Korbyn on Garden Street, Great Harwood, said: "I thought someone was taking the mickey when I first got an email asking if I could take part.
"I ended up spending a whole week at a house in Rawtenstall.
"Because I finished my job within a few hours, I ended up helping out with some painting and I also built a little cabinet.
"I wasn't starstruck at all and the crew were OK."
Julian has been invited to take part in a Christmas special of the show which will be filmed in November.
He hasn't yet seen the finished show himself and said he expects his mates will enjoy ribbing him about his new-found fame.
He said: "There were a few embarrassing moments during filming because I had to do loads of retakes.
"There was one instance where a new settee had been delivered outside and a bird had done a poo on it. I ran inside to tell the team but I used a swear word. The producer said he liked the scene but could I re-phrase it, so we had to shoot it all over again.
"I expected to be working really hard into the night and staying up late to get things done but we were just messing about most of the time."
