Check you out: Leeds hotel worker stars in new TV ad campaign

Lukas Safranek, 28, from Armley will play himself opposite two puppets as part of a multi-media campaign promoting the national hotel chain Travelodge, which has just completed a £100 million business makeover.

The adverts are a follow up to the ‘That’s Travelodgical’ campaign that helped the company record an 17.9 per cent increase in revenue in the six months to July 2015.

“When I started working at Travelodge, never did I think that I would be one of the first staff members to star in the company’s TV advert. It is an honour and I am so proud to be representing my 10,000 colleagues,” he said.

“I was so shocked to find out that I had made the final cut as I nearly missed the casting audition due to my coach to London being delayed by over three hours

“I have never acted in my life so it was nerve-wracking doing lots of screen and casting tests but thankfully I managed to impress the director. Even though I check-in thousands of customers every year at my hotel, I was very nervous when filming my scenes as I know millions of people will see the advert.

“It was great fun to work with the Travelodgical puppets, Alex and Kate. It’s an experience that I will never forget and I am so grateful for the opportunity.

“My family and hotel team are so excited. My manager keeps telling guests that I’m a star which is a bit embarrassing.”

Mr Safranek has worked at Leeds Central Travelodge on Blays Yard for 18 months and was previously a biochemist in the Czech Republic.