AN UP AND COMING actor has been forced to ‘bear’ with sporting superstar Usain Bolt as part of his latest project.

James Hutchinson has just returned from Jamaica after filming alongside the king of the track for internet, phone and TV provider Virgin Media.

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The 25-year-old, who is from Longridge, has recently been seen on the small screen across the country inside an animatronic bear suit as part of the company’s most recent advert.

The former St Cecilia’s RC High School head boy reprised his role of a bear lazing on a sofa for the latest promo which was filmed on the Caribbean island so that the six-time Olympic champion could shoot his cameo.

In the 30-second clip, the fastest man in the world comes home to find that it has been taken over by animals including the bear, brought to life by James.

James trained at Preston College and the London Studio Centre before going on an international tour with a production of A Clockwork Orange which visited locations including Hong Kong.

He also had a role in horror film ‘Hollow’ which was taken to the Sundance Film Festival in the United States. After his Caribbean adventure James is now back in the UK, working on his latest project, a new play which he hopes will secure a run in the West End.

Lancashire Telegraph: Usain Bolt celebrates after winning gold in the Men's 200m Final. Picture: Chris Booth

He said: “The adverts were really fun to make and I’m trying to use them as a springboard to further my career.

“I thought that using the animatronic suit was going to be easier but that wasn’t the case and I have a lot of respect for the people who work with that technology.

“Usain Bolt was a laugh and really easy to work with and get on with. Going to Jamaica was great and to stay there for a week was fun.”