Star of the Hovis ad returns to the cobbled hill 40 YEARS on from climbing it with his loaves and bicycle Carl Barlow was 13 when he pushed his bicycle up Gold Hill in Shaftesbury, Dorset Now 54, he retraced footsteps while in village to switch on Christmas lights Sepia-toned advert was directed by Ridley Scott at beginning of his career These pictures show the moment the star of the Hovis advert returned to the cobbled West Country hill on which it was filmed shot 40 years ago. Carl Barlow was 13 when he pushed his bicycle through the Dorset village of Shaftesbury for one of the most iconic scenes in British television history. And when Mr Barlow, now 54, was invited back to the village, he couldn't resist retracing his footsteps. Carl Barlow has returned to the scene of the Hovis advert on Gold Hill in Shaftesbury, Dorset, after 40 years The advert was filmed 40 years ago and has become one of the most famous scenes in British TV history The voiceover for the advert is provided by the delivery boy who is now grown up. He is reminiscing about his days as a youngster when he did his bread round. To the sound of a brass band playing Dvorak's New World Symphony, he states: 'Last stop on round would be Old Ma Peggoty's place. 'T'was like taking bread to top of the world. 'T'was a grand ride back though. I'd knew baker have kettle on and doorsteps of old Hovis ready. '"There's wheatgearm in that loaf," he'd day. Get it inside you boy and you'll be going up that hill as fast as you come down.' The boy is seen in the advert struggling to push his bike to the top of the hill but is sat astride it and joyously freewheeling down it after making the delivery. He is then seen returning to the bakery and tucking into Hovis bread. The sepia-tinged advert was directed by Ridley Scott, then starting out on his illustrious career. Mr Barlow, who became a fireman in London, returned to the picturesque village this week to turn on the Christmas lights. But he first posed in a flat cap with Hovis loaves and an old-fashioned bicycle on top of the scenic Gold Hill. It is such an important place to me. It is getting harder to climb up the hill now I'm a bit older, but it is still enjoyable," he said. I've been back a couple of times since the advert was filmed but this year they asked me to turn the Christmas lights on. I was absolutely honoured. He added: "The advert has been such a big part of my life and it really captured the hearts of the nation. Ridley Scott made it even more of a big deal. I remember he was very particular about everything, with real attention to detail - even a door knob half way down the hill had to be perfect. Mr Barlow was invited back to the West Country village this week to turn on its Christmas lights After the advert Mr Barlow finished school before training to become a blacksmith but changed his mind almost immediately after qualifying and joined the fire brigade. He has now retired after more than 30 years" service in East Ham, London, and is relaxing with his partner, Linda. Six years after the evocative advert - set to a haunting melody from Dvorak's Symphony No. 9 - Ridley Scott achieved international stardom with Alien, followed by Blade Runner three years later. Mr Barlow planted some snowdrops and enjoyed a tour of the town before switching on the Christmas light display on Monday night. Mr Barlow said: 'The advert has been such a big part of my life and it really captured the hearts of the nation'