I was in the most famous advert of the 80s but now I’m a company CEO – and my co-star was jailed for murder
IN the 80s the playgrounds of Britain echoed with the phrase “Accrington Stanley, who are they?” thanks to one iconic ad.
The two child stars of the milk promotion, Carl Rice and Kevin Spaine, have had very different lives since it made them famous.
Actor Carl, 43, has starred in numerous hit TV shows over the past three decades and some 15 adverts.
In the early 90s he appeared in Channel 4‘s educational kids show Story World with Tony Robinson which encouraged schoolchildren to dive into books.
He later went on to appear in Merseyside soap Brookside as Gavin Matthews for a year and later opposite Christopher Ecclestone in Hearts and Minds.
There have been memorable guest appearances too in Shameless, Benidorm and Holby City, to name but a few.
Most recently Carl has starred with Michelle Keegan in Sky comedy drama Brassic.
He’s had stage success, too, receiving a Laurence Olivier Award nomination for his role in Jonathan Harvey’s Guiding Star.
He formed his own company, Milk Pictures, in 2021; its name a nod to the advert that kick-started his acting career.
In stark contrast Spaine, 44, who was never seen in the milk advert but whose voice was seared into the nation’s brains, has led a life of crime and drug abuse.
Last year he was sentenced to 18 years in prison for brutally beating Learoy Venner to death in a Liverpool flat.
During Spaine’s trial at Liverpool Crown Court, John Harrison KC, said: “This defendant’s life has been ruined and dominated by the abuse of illegal drugs. He has a very long history of criminal offending.
“We know he’s been in this situation for 20 years or more, but he wasn’t always like that. Mr Spaine was a very promising young footballer, and he appeared in a very famous advertisement on the television – an advert for milk involving Accrington Stanley.”
In the 1989 milk advert created for the Milk Marketing Board, Spaine asks Carl: “Have you got any lemonade?”
He replies: “If you want.”
Carl then pours a glass of milk, prompting Spaine to say: “Milk? Eurgh.”
The Liverpool supporting lad replies: “It’s what Ian Rush drinks. He said if I don’t drink lots of milk, when I grow up I’m only going to be good enough to play for Accrington Stanley.”
Spaine then delivers the immortal line “Accrington Stanley, who are they?”
It concludes with Carl replying: “Exactly”.
Accrington Stanley were non-league minnows at the time, while Liverpool were footballing giants having won seven European trophies.