The community town crier, who represents the Shaw and Crompton area of Oldham, said he had an 'amazing day' filming for the hit TV show, Britain's Got Talent.

Marcus Emms has been the town crier for Shaw and Crompton for five years, having passed the major milestone just last month.

The 52-year-old, who lives in High Crompton, is adored across the borough for unveiling new ventures and announcing joyous occasions - and as acting as Oldham's Santa Claus over the festive period which he has done for more than two decades.

Get the latest news delivered straight to your inbox by signing up to The Oldham Times’ morning and evening newsletters as well as our breaking news alerts 

Last month, Marcus revealed he had been invited to film a town cry on the ITV talent show. 

The father went to Knutsford on Monday (July 10) and said he had an "amazing day".

The filming happened to coincide with International Town Criers Day and, prior to his trip, he promised he would be "shouting Shaw and Crompton with pride".

Reflecting on his visit, Marcus said a woman from Royton, whose family still lives in Chadderton, stopped him "for a chat" after coming out of her shop.

"She said 'why is Shaw and Crompton Town Crier here?' Then a couple from Adelaide in Australia (spoke to me)."

Though Marcus said he couldn't post any photographs of the filming for Britain's Got Talent, citing "confidentiality reasons", he also said filming "wasn't what I expected but a unique experience nonetheless".

He said he then fulfilled his "long-standing" commitment as town crier by making a "mad dash" back home to visit the Brownies and Beavers at Shore Edge Methodist Church in Shaw.

There, he gave a talk on the history of town criers and what town criers do.

"They asked some brilliant questions and had a lot of fun", he added.

Marcus also extended his thanks again to the Knutsford town crier, Julie Mitchell, and her husband, David Mitchell, who is also the world-famous town crier for Chester, "for not only allowing me to appear on behalf of my beloved town of Shaw and Crompton, but giving me their blessing to do so".

Marcus added: "You never know what you are going to be asked to next", referring to his prior TV and radio debuts so far - which included appearing on BBC Northwest Tonight to discuss Yoko Ono's Bells of Peace art installation in 2019.

If you have a story, I cover all things Oldham from food reviews and local business news to music and events, pubs, education, crime, property, health, community concerns and much more. Please email me at Olivia.bridge@newsquest.co.uk or send me a message on Twitter @Livbridge with your news.