Meeting Rooney proves a winner

WAYNE’S World . . . Bradley Phoenix stars in an advert with Wayne Rooney

FOOTBALL superstar Wayne Rooney charmed a Chadderton family of actors — even delighting a West Ham fan.

Budding actor Bradley Phoenix and mum Teresa got to meet the Manchester United and England striker while filming a TV advert for the new EA FIFA 2009 Playstation 3 game.
The 11-year-old West Ham supporter wouldn’t normally touch a Reds shirt but was happy to pose with Wayne in the famous strip. The former St Herbert’s Primary School pupil, who starts at Our Lady’s High School next month, is part of a family who are no strangers to the camera.

Sister Gemma (24), a former Oldham Theatre Workshop member, has appeared in the Ken Loach film “Raining Stones”, as well as popular television dramas “Heartbeat”, “Cracker” and “Children’s Ward.”

And his other sister Deon (12) has been an extra in “Cops”, “A&E” and “Clocking Off.”

Bradley, of Halbury Grove, is on the books of agents Laine Management in Manchester. He has already appeared in commercials for Asda, DFS and Morrisons.

He passed an audition for the advertisement, which was filmed at the Shamrock pub in Manchester, and appears in crowd scenes.

The ad shows Rooney playing the computer game to demonstrate that you don’t have to be at a football match to enjoy the sport.

Mrs Phoenix, who has also previously appeared as an extra, said: “It was a million-to-one chance as a lot of children went for the part. He only has a small part in it but it was meeting Rooney that was the best thing about it.

“He does actually shake Wayne’s hand in the advert as he gets off a coach. He was over the moon.

“Brad walked over to him and asked for the photo. And fair play to Rooney, he posed for the picture, and signed shirts and a football we took to be signed.

“He never once complained about anything and he was letting people get whatever they wanted signed. He seemed a really nice person.”

Bradley loves football and, influenced by an uncle, has been a Hammers fan since he was three, travelling to Upton Park to watch them play.

Teresa, a Man Utd fan, added: “Normally he would not even look at a Man United shirt but he’s more of a United fan now.

“We had a fantastic day. Brad said it was the best advert he’s ever done but that’s because he met Rooney.”

And Man Utd fan Deon was also delighted as Brad has given her the Reds shirt.