Stag do firm offers ‘free paintballing’ to Geordie who looks most like Geoff from Byker Grove
A TYNESIDE firm has launched a competition to find the Geordie who looks most like Geoff from Byker Grove.
The iconic kids show is set to return to our screens, with the reboot produced for former stars Ant and Dec.
Now stag and hen provider Last Night of Freedom are trying to track down a doppelganger for one of the original show’s most beloved characters.
Geoff Keegan was the Grove’s youth leader for 11 years. Played by Billy Fane, he will forever be associated with the immortal line ‘He cannit see man!’ after he raced to Ant’s rescue following a paintballing accident.
Now the cheeky search is underway to find the moustached character’s ultimate lookalike, with the stag and hen firm offering a suitable prize – a free paintballing session in Newcastle,.
“Byker Grove is a huge part of the Geordie DNA and everyone’s buzzing it is coming back,” said Matt Mavir, Managing Director of Last Night of Freedom.
“Yet for all the huge stars to emerge from the show, to any true Geordie, Geoff will always be the most popular character.
“Both he and his moustache are Tyneside icons and we thought trying to track down a 21st century version would be the perfect way of celebrating the show’s return.”
The original series was a fixture on CBBC for three decades, running for 18 seasons and kickstarting the careers of a host of household names.
Besides Ant and Dec, the likes of Donna Air, Jill Halfpenny and Hollywood star Charlie Hunnam all started out on the show.
Unfortunately, Geoff was killed off in 2000 following a gas explosion – however, Matt said his legacy lives on.
“He was at the core of the show, which I actually think did a ton of good for Tyneside,” added the businessman.
“Newcastle is now the most visited stag do destination in Europe – and number two with the hens – and when out staff talk to customers about the city the same things pop-up in conversation – Greggs, Newcastle United and Byker Grove – so the fact the show is returning is superb news.
“All we insist is that whoever wins the paintballing prize must wear goggles, as we don’t want a repeat of what happened to Ant.”
To be eligible for the prize, entrants for the competition must be aged 18 or over. Crucially, any facial hair must be their own.
To apply, email a picture of yourself to ian@lastnightoffreedom.co.uk. A winner will be selected by Thursday July 27.