TALK about singing for your supper!

These three employees of the Halifax have taken on another job – as TV stars.

All three are members of the Halifax Community Choir which is proving a big hit in a new national TV advertising campaign.

And now Brian Rolfe, Stephen Sykes and Laura Pickerill are being recognised by customers.

Both Stephen and Laura work at the Halifax branch in Brighouse while Brian, of Brockholes, is at the support centre in Copley, Halifax.

Brian is ending his career on a high note after featuring in the TV advert.

The 66-year-old admits he got so carried away in the filming he can be seen punching the air in one of the bank’s three ads produced to promote the bank’s value for money approach.

Mr Rolfe, who works as a Telephony Support Analyst, said: “In rehearsals we were punching the air, but in the real thing we weren’t going to.

“I was enjoying it so much I still gave the punch and they kept it in.”

He added: “I just thought it would be a fun thing to do. I had no idea how much was involved and how big it is.

“I started off at regional auditions then national auditions and the final 112 people were put into the choir.

“I haven’t sung since I was in the Scouts all those years ago.”

His colleague Stephen, 63, of Dalton, was also involved with the Scouts and took part in Gang Shows.

He, too, loved the filming and rehearsals and said it was fun to be recognised by customers.

“More than 500 applied to be part of the choir but they whittled it down and all three of us got in.”

Mr Rolfe added: “We recorded three songs at Abbey Road studios then filmed the video at the Round Chapel in London.

“We had professional coaching and they taught us to harmonise and we couldn’t believe how far we got in such a short time.

“It was incredible to be in Abbey Road studios. We even got to go into Studio Two, where A Hard Day’s Night was recorded.”

There were similar sentiments from Laura, of Barkisland, who admits she idolises The Beatles.

Laura said: “I was at a stage school in Halifax from the age of 12 and appeared in several shows.

“When I went to university in London, I joined the London Metropolitan Choir but I haven’t done much singing since then”.

The advert features three songs: I’ll Be There by The Jackson 5, The Beatles classic A Hard Day’s Night and Walking on Sunshine by Katrina and The Waves.

David Nicholson, group director for Halifax Community Bank, said: “Halifax has long been a brand to be proud of and now is the time to move forward and build on that.

“We intend to shake up the High Street with new and existing offers that challenge the norm, and we need a brand to match that.

“Our people are at the heart of our success, so it was only natural for us to continue to let our colleagues bring our brand to life. Our people are proud to work for this bank and want to show that pride once again.”