From 1968 to 2003, and since 2016, the chocolate is advertised on television by the 'Milk Tray Man', a tough
James Bond–style figure who undertakes daunting 'raids' to surreptitiously deliver a box of Milk Tray chocolates to a lady. Actor
Gary Myers, who is most recognisable as the action figure, starred in 11 of the commercials between 1968 and 1984.
James Coombes assumed the role in 1987.
Kidderminster born actor Alan Riley was the Milk Tray man in 2003, in an advert which featured actress
Sienna Guillory. Coombes assumed the role again in 2016.
Martin Grace,
Roger Moore's stunt double in the James Bond films, performed stunts for some of the early Milk Tray commercials, including leaping from a bridge onto a speeding train and climbing dangerously along the roof. The music,
The Night Rider, was written by
Cliff Adams, who also wrote the music for
Fry's Turkish Delight advertisements. The music was recorded commercially by
Alan Hawkshaw on the album "27 Top TV Themes" (Studio 2 Stereo, 1972). This album has been re-released on CD (EMI 7234 4 98171 2 8). Alan Hawkshaw was the pianist on the original sessions with Cliff Adams, for the advertisements. A medley of three separate arrangements of the theme, based on the authentic scores as used in the commercials from 1968 to 2010, is commercially available, performed by London Music Works, on the album "Great British TV Themes" (SILCD 1357). The entire campaign of television advertisements ranked at number 11 on
ITV's "Best Ads Ever" list in 2005. The specific
Avalanche advert ranked at number 48 in
Channel 4's UK wide poll of "
The 100 Greatest TV Ads" in 2000. == See also ==