AS Nestle rerun commercials of their former Milkybar Kids in a nostalgic advertising campaign, former child actor John Cornelius speaks to the SNJ about his time in the iconic adverts.

John Cornelius played the Milkybar Kid from 1974 to 1978 when he was aged seven to 11.

The new advert shows a montage of former young cowboys who featured in the adverts dating back almost 50 years.

"My time as the Milkybar Kid was good, I enjoyed the notoriety and the chocolate I got to give away," John said.

"I have some very happy memories – there was no bullying as some newspapers have suggested.

"If anything some of my school friends were jealous that I got to do so many exciting things.

"I ended up not liking white chocolate though, I used to spit it out after a take."

John was in demand as a child actor and also appeared in advertising campaigns for British Airways, WH Smith and Lucozade.

But by the time he was 11, John was fed up with his hectic schedule and just wanted to be normal child.

Around the age of 16 John became addicted to alcohol and came to Stroud for help.

John, now 42, has not drunk for 13 years and lives in Tetbury married to Amanda, 39, and has two children, Gemma, seven, and Arthur, two.

His business, J and J Building Maintenance has just restarted in the Stroud area.

John specialises in loft conversions, renovations and bespoke carpentry work.