A Cheshire firefighter will soon be delivering boxes of chocolates like a superhero.

Patrick McBride, who works for Cheshire Fire and Rescue Service, has taken on the iconic role of the Milk Tray Man and will wear the famous black polo neck after fighting off competition from more than 20,000 other applicants.

It is a dream come true for 39-year-old dad-of-one Patrick, who lives in Aintree.

He said he grew up watching the legendary Milk Tray adverts, and even imitated one when he was a 13-year-old schoolboy.

He said: “As part of my application I had to send a video in of myself explaining why I would like to be the Milk Tray Man, which involved a funny story of me in school being caught putting a box of Milk Tray in a girl’s desk.

“I don’t think to this day she knows it was me. Something inside me as a teenager must have thought ‘that’s where I want to be’.”

Cheshire firefighter Patrick McBride, the Liverpool firefighter who has been named the new Milk Tray Man
Patrick McBride has been named the new Milk Tray Man

Patrick, who has a three-year-old son, said his wife Elaine had nominated him for the role after hearing about it on the radio.

He said: “She twisted my arm a little bit and made me do it. I was quite reluctant, but she can be very persuasive.

“For the application process, one of the things I had to do was present a box of Milk Tray in a unique way. I thought ‘well, nobody has ever delivered it in fire kit before’, so I got my fire kit on, gave someone a fireman’s lift and presented a box of Milk Tray to them.”

Patrick, who has a three-year-old son, said he wants to bring a 'caring and thoughtful' approach to the job, which has previously been played by actors including Gary Myers, the original Milk Tray Man, and James Coombes.

Patrick McBride, 39, who is the new Milk Tray Man
Patrick McBride, 39, who is the new Milk Tray Man

He said: “I am quite a thoughtful and caring person and that may have been something that came across when they were looking for a new Milk Tray Man.

“The fire service is a lot like that. I joined it because I like to help people and to give me the feeling that I am actually doing something good.

“This Milk Tray Man is more geared towards the thoughtful side. You will still see a little bit of that old excitement and daring, but the message is a more about being appreciative.”

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Patrick said there have been occasions when he has been 'thankful to go home and see my family' because of the danger of being a firefighter, but only a “handful of times”.

A spokesman for Cadbury said: “Displaying bravery and courage every day in his job as a firefighter, Patrick is also a caring family man who impressed the judges with his down to earth yet heroic nature.”

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