A VET from Newton Abbot will be making his TV debut in front of millions of viewers next week.

Chris Hawkins, owner and veterinary surgeon at Vets4Pets, will be sharing air time with one of the country’s most popular soaps.

He’s been chosen to star in the telly commercial plugging the animal carers after a series of auditions and screen tests across the UK.

The advert will be aired on Monday (July 11) during Coronation Street at about 7.45pm.

He’s looking forward to the mass exposure.

Chris, who lives in the Teign Valley, enthused: ‘I was absolutely delighted to be chosen to appear in the Vets4Pets advert. It is such an honour. I couldn’t believe I was actually going to be on TV.’

He said: ‘The film crew came to interview and film me for the advert at my practice, which was both exciting and nerve-wracking.

‘We filmed in the reception and prep room, which meant a few pets tried to get their five minutes of fame too.

‘It’s usually the pets who are centre stage in the practice, so it was strange being the one everyone focused on.’

He added: ‘My whole team enjoyed watching the filming process. It made quite the change from looking after pets’ welfare, and one of our nurses, Nicola, even got to star in the advert too.

‘Our whole team have organised a barbecue on the night the advert airs so we can all watch it together.’

Chris has had some unusual patients over the years, including a Boxer which was found to have a 21-inch riding crop stuck in its stomach.

He is no stranger to the limelight after recently winning the Pets at Home Vet Group Partner of the Year prize.

The two-time nominee for Petplan Vet of the Year says he won’t be letting the fame go to his head.

‘Being in the advert was such a great opportunity to demonstrate what our practice is all about - and show off our unique personalities,’ Chris revealed.

‘Although it was a great experience that I would love to try again, I think I will definitely be sticking to my day job of interacting with and caring for pets. That’s my true passion.

‘I want to thank the team that picked me to be a part of this wonderful advert, I loved every second and can’t wait to see it on the TV.’

The advert will cover pet welfare and the benefits of care plans.