Neil the baby may have had a non-speaking part on Gavin and Stacey since, well, he couldn’t speak because he was a baby, but he was nonetheless paid for the work.
Oscar Hartland, now 14, was one of three newborns cast in the part, and he was again cast in the Christmas reunion in 2019.
His family has saved the money for him to enjoy when he is older, but if he had his way, he would use it to build a recording studio.
‘If I could crack the safe open then I’d buy a recording studio,’ he said.
His mum Kirsty who was present for the interview jumped in and joked: ‘You may have to record a few more episodes to afford that.’
That wouldn’t be a problem for the young actor who would happily partake in a second reunion: ‘I think it would be cool. If they wanted me to do it I would do it.’
‘We could do a duet together.’
Oscar’s yearning for his own recording studio, as well as his narrative ideas, stem from his real-life music business ambitions.
With his rock band Redwood City, the kid is presently competing on The Voice Kids. His initial audition thrilled the judges, prompting Pixie Lott, Danny Jones, and Ronan Keating to swivel around in their seats, indicating that they wanted Oscar on their team for the show’s subsequent rounds. Danny, the star of McFly, was chosen as his mentor.
Oscar’s transition from acting to singing began two years ago, when he found his love of rock music and formed a band with three pals.
They began playing in their hometown of Caerphilly, South Wales, and posted recordings on social media.
Their music got the attention of the casting staff for The Voice Kids, and they were invited to audition for the programme.
‘I thought, “Why wouldn’t we do it?” I was amazed that they had seen it. It was an opportunity we couldn’t refuse.’
And why rock? ‘It’s for everyone, all ages. You can be more creative than with pop music.’
The boy is still in school, but he has lofty goals for the future.
‘I went to do a world tour. I want to go to America and head to Redwood City. It’s the name of our band, but we haven’t been.’
He also does not want to give up acting: ‘I enjoy both equally. I’d want to direct a Star Wars film.’
Although he’s moved on to larger and better things, he’ll never forget his first encounter with Gavin and Stacey – his schoolmates won’t allow him.
‘They sometimes call me Neil the baby. I don’t mind it. They are also always asking me if there’s going to be another Gavin and Stacey too, but I don’t know.’
The Voice Kids continues Saturday on ITV1 and ITVX.
Source My Celebrity Life.
