The Neil The Baby actor who starred in Gavin and Stacey has auditioned for The Voice Kids.
Oscar Hartland, now 14, from Machen, Caerphilly, played the part of Smithy (James Corden) and Nessa’s (Ruth Jones) son in the much-loved series.
He even returned to play Neil in the 2019 Christmas special but has since turned his attentions to music.
He is now the frontman of band Redwood City, but will be auditioning solo in scenes airing on Saturday as he tries to impress coaches Will.i.am, Danny Jones, Pixie Lott and Ronan Keating.
Speaking about the audition, Oscar told The Sun: ‘It was weird being on the studio stage without the band, but I thought I’d just do what I do with the boys and hopefully get a result out of it.
Back in the day: The Neil The Baby actor who starred in Gavin and Stacey has auditioned for The Voice Kids
Now: He is now the frontman of band Redwood City, but will be auditioning solo in scenes airing on Saturday on The Voice Kids
Exciting: Coaches Will.i.am, Danny Jones, Pixie Lott and Ronan Keating will be watching him perform
‘I went into it wanting Danny to turn, or Ronan. But it was really something.’
Reflecting on his acting past, Oscar also shared: ‘I grew up knowing I was Neil The Baby, but it was after the Christmas special (when he was 10) that my life literally turned around.
‘I went from a kid that was in a show when he was a baby to a kid in a TV – even going into the supermarket was mad.’
On Tuesday Oscar posted about the show on his Instagram as he shared snaps on stage.
He penned in the caption: ‘Soooooo its happening. So chuffed to be apart of the @thevoicekidsuk 2023. It was an absolute blast to film. Cant wait to show you guys what I’ve been up to the last few months!’
In 2019 Oscar revealed that he gave up a family holiday in Florida to film the Christmas special a decade on.
Oscar first played Neil the baby, in the third series of the cult BBC show in 2009 before appearing in the 2019 Christmas special.
He has grown into a music and drama star and jumped at the offer to play the role once again, despite its July filming clashing with his family holiday.
The star said: ‘I would rather film. I didn’t feel I missed out at all. I missed them but I didn’t feel like I missed out.’
Oscar played the part of Neil during a few scenes between episodes two and five of series three, alongside several other babies.
Career: Oscar has grown into a music and drama star (pictured with one of his bandmates from Redwood City)
Back: He even returned to play Neil in the 2019 Christmas special but has since turned his attentions to music (pictured with James and Ruth)
Oscar played the baby – full name Neil Noel Edmunds Smith – and was described as ‘absolutely fantastic’ by James Corden.
And he was delighted to get a shout for the audition – but did not know which part.
He said: ‘Because it is Christmas time they gave me a caroling scene to do.
‘So I had to knock on the door and act really not bothered about it. My mum knew about half an hour after the audition, but I didn’t know until a couple of weeks later.
‘I thought I was playing that small part, but then my mum said I was playing Neil. Oh my god. I couldn’t contain myself.
‘It’s so cool. There are no words I can use to describe how cool it is to be on set with everyone. Meeting everyone was the best part and working with them was just as good.’
‘It was unbelievable thinking I would meet Rob Brydon, Joanna Page, James Corden, Matthew Horne – it’s so cool.’
But Oscar said he formed his tightest bond with his on-screen mother Nessa.
He performed the majority of his scenes with Ruth Jones and found he performed naturally in her company.
Family show: Oscar played the baby – full name Neil Noel Edmunds Smith – and was described as ‘absolutely fantastic’ by James
Kind: Oscar has previously said he formed his tightest bond with his on-screen mother Nessa (pictured with the whole cast)
Cute: Smithy actor James is pictured holding Oscar as a baby when they were filming Gavin and Stacey
‘It’s really believable that we are a family,’ Oscar said. ‘You could tell. Everyone was laughing. Joanna Page was laughing about it.’
Oscar and his family watched the Gavin & Stacey Christmas Special at home with a big party to celebrate.
‘Hopefully I get another job,’ Oscar said. ‘I would love to do more work or filming. My favourite movie is Star Wars and if I was in Star Wars – that would be top.’
Watch The Voice Kids at 7.30pm on ITV1 and ITVX
