In a surprising return to the spotlight, Neil Burgess, best known for his role as Barry Scott in the iconic Cillit Bang adverts, is making headlines once again. This time, however, he is stepping into the shoes of a new character, “Gary Scott,” for a high-protein cereal company named Surreal.
The launch of Surreal’s latest advert has captured attention with its energetic and familiar style. In the commercial, Burgess reprises his high-octane performance, albeit with a fresh twist. Gary Scott, a character who bears more than a passing resemblance to Barry Scott, the enthusiastic cleaning product pitchman from the early 2000s, is now the face of Surreal’s cereal brand.
The advert, which can be viewed here, features Burgess in full throttle, focusing on the high-protein, zero-sugar attributes of Surreal’s cereal. Unlike his previous role, which revolved around cleaning products and shouting about their effectiveness, Gary Scott is seen extolling the virtues of a healthy breakfast option. The ad is packed with raw eggs, shattered blenders, and, naturally, an abundance of shouting—elements that echo the exuberance of the Cillit Bang commercials.
Surreal’s co-founder, Jac Chetland, expressed excitement about the choice of Burgess for their campaign. “A high-protein cereal like ours deserves a high-octane presenter, and they don’t come higher-octane than Neil,” Chetland said. “We’re absolutely buzzing that he agreed to the role, and he was such fun to work with. Any similarities to other characters in the Neil Cinematic Universe is just a coincidence.”
The new advert was crafted by Surreal’s in-house team, with filming carried out by Nusa Studios. Burgess’s co-star in the commercial is Amy Spinks, who appears alongside him in the high-energy promotion.
Surreal’s high-protein cereals are available for purchase on their website and in major retailers such as Sainsbury’s, the Co-Op, Ocado, and Holland & Barrett. The campaign is already generating buzz, blending nostalgia with modern health trends in a manner that is sure to resonate with both old fans and new audiences.
As the cereal market continues to evolve with health-conscious products, Surreal’s choice to bring back a familiar face—albeit with a new name—demonstrates a clever nod to past advertising success while promoting a contemporary product. The high-energy approach, coupled with a familiar style, aims to capture consumer attention in a crowded marketplace.
