20-05-2025
Well known Bolton Market trader to get his big break on television TONIGHT
A Bolton trader set to feature on a new TV show tonight said that he hopes it will bring more people into the market.
Faking It first aired on Channel 4 in the 2000s – but it's now being brought back for a brand new series on Channel 5.
The premise is that a volunteer will agree to be plunged into a very different world and asked to master a new skill.
After just four weeks they will then try to pass themselves off as the genuine article.
In the first episode, posh Surrey estate agent Rex Adams - who sells multi-million pound properties across London - finds out if he can cut it as a meat trader.
His accent and haircut could be a giveaway – so Rex was given a makeover and lessons from a dialect coach.
He tries to blend in at Bolton Market – working at seasoned trader Tony Frame's Salmon Kings stall.
Salmon Kings stall in Bolton Market (Image: Newsquest) Mr Frame said that he couldn't reveal too much about the episode – which airs on Tuesday night (May 20) – but said that Rex was 'a good kid'.
He said: 'They did a very good job of it – without giving too much away.
'As a worker – he was ok – a good kid. It was totally different for him, a culture shock for him getting up early in the morning.'
He said that production crews chose Bolton Market after considering a number of options – including neighbouring Bury.
Mr Frame said he thought his stall was chosen because it's always busy and has a 'real presence in the market'.
He said: 'They had come down to say we'd be on the show at least six months before that – it was between us, Bury and I think somewhere else.
'They looked at a few markets – I think they chose us because we're very steady, busy and have good turnover.
'We have a real presence in the market because we've been here a long time.'
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Mr Frame said that he hopes being featured on the show will promote the market and Bolton in general.
He said: 'Hopefully it promotes the market – it's not about just promoting us – it's about promoting Bolton Market.
'It's not about us really, it's about promoting Bolton and the market in general.'
Tony Frame said he hopes the show will promote Bolton Market (Image: Newsquest) READ MORE: Bolton Market's Grumpy Baker wins Men in Business award
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Mr Frame wasn't sure if he would take part in the show again – but said it was a 'very good' experience.
He said: 'It was very good – quite time consuming and sometimes they did get in the way.
'They would go off and jobs" target="_blank">work around you – they knew what they were doing – and tried their best not to get in the way.'
Faking it airs at 9pm tonight.
