Is this really the end for Barry Scott? Cillit Bang banishes brand ambassador from UK ads
The world's most enthusiastic cleaner and brand ambassador, Barry Scott, looks to have been banished from Cillit Bang's iconic ads, but for how long?
Barry Scott has been ditched as Cillit's longstanding ambassador
Famous for his trademark catchphrase "Bang, and the dirt is gone," Scott was sidelined by the brand last year in favour of a toned Flashdance-style mechanic for its global campaign – which has now officially been rolled out in the UK.
Confirming fans' worst fears, Cillit Bang UK has released a farewell tribute to Scott, containing a mash-up of the beloved star's best bits, but teasing viewers with the final line: "Barry Scott is gone... for now."
The creative has led The Drum's editor, Stephen Lepitak, to question whether the man once described as a "poundstore Mr Muscle," will be making a jubilant return to our screens.
He said: "I doubt we'll be saying goodbye to Barry for long - we've been here before on more than one occasion. Cillit Bang knows the attention it draws every time it decides to apparently pension off Barry only to revive him before he is forgotten.
"The brand might attempt something else in the short term, but we'll see him again one day I predict. This is just another PR stunt to draw headlines and yet again it's worked."
In the meantime, you can read some facts about the wildly shouty brand ambassador here.