The primary face of On the Beach adverts since January 2024 has been Paddy McGuinness, the Bolton-born comedian and television presenter. Viewers will recognise him from his long stint hosting ITV's dating show 'Take Me Out' (2010–2019) and, more recently, as a co-presenter on BBC's 'Top Gear' alongside Freddie Flintoff and Chris Harris. His appointment was announced when the holiday booking company launched a multi-channel campaign created by London agency Quiet Storm, covering TV, radio, and digital platforms.
McGuinness was chosen for his down-to-earth appeal. Zoe Harris, On the Beach's Chief Customer Officer, described him as a "man of the people who loves getting into holiday mode" and someone who, like the brand's customers, values smart spending. The campaign promotes specific perks: free airport lounge access, fast-track security, and transparent pricing. One early TV spot caused brief confusion when some viewers misheard the tagline "booking geniuses" as profanity, which McGuinness addressed with characteristic humour on his social media channels.
By early 2025, the partnership had moved well beyond traditional TV advertising. McGuinness began appearing in short-form digital video content tailored for social media and the On the Beach mobile app. His presence now extends into the customer journey itself: booking confirmation emails, app notifications, and even on-screen prompts during the checkout process. This represents a shift from celebrity endorsement to integrated brand ambassador, with McGuinness effectively guiding customers through the booking experience.
In January 2025, On the Beach expanded into the Republic of Ireland, supported by a large outdoor advertising push in Dublin featuring McGuinness. The campaign included 48-sheet billboards at key transport hubs and digital screens in shopping districts. Trevor Robinson OBE, founder of Quiet Storm, noted in an August 2025 interview with Roast Brief that the collaboration had become a "genuine creative partnership" that continues to develop across multiple customer touchpoints.
Quiet Storm, the independent agency behind the McGuinness campaign, was founded in 1995 by Trevor Robinson OBE. The agency won the On the Beach account in 2021 and has since built a recognisable advertising identity for the brand. Quiet Storm's portfolio includes character-driven work for Haribo, Vimto, and other major consumer brands. Their stated philosophy is to create "disruptive creative that punches above its weight", avoiding the sanitised, overly aspirational tone common in holiday advertising.
The McGuinness adverts reflect this: they're playful, occasionally cheeky, and designed to capture the authentic chaos of family holidays rather than picture-perfect resort imagery. This creative direction aligns with On the Beach's positioning as a value-focused, no-nonsense booking platform.
Before McGuinness, On the Beach cycled through several different advertising approaches. In December 2019, the company launched a campaign featuring the distinctive voice of Iggy Pop, the American rock musician and actor. That campaign, created by agency Uncommon, replaced a long-running animated character called 'The Beach', a talking sandcastle that had appeared in adverts since 2017.
In late 2018, actress and singer Sheridan Smith provided the voiceover for a separate On the Beach campaign. Earlier still, a 2013 'Totally Beachin Holidays' advert took a more regionally targeted approach, though details of the cast remain sparse in public records.
Some online discussions have mentioned actor Kevin Mathurin in connection with On the Beach adverts. However, no authoritative industry sources, press releases, or verified credits confirm his involvement in any On the Beach campaign. Since Quiet Storm took over creative duties in late 2021, the brand's advertising has followed a clear trajectory: first a 'Most Wonderful Time of the Year' seasonal campaign, then the sustained focus on Paddy McGuinness from January 2024 onwards.
As of mid-2026, McGuinness remains the sole consistent on-screen presence for On the Beach across the UK and Ireland. His contract appears ongoing, with no public indication of a change in creative direction.
For viewers wanting to confirm casting details, the most reliable sources are:
These sources provide verifiable information and avoid the speculation that often circulates on general discussion forums.
## Quotations > Working with Paddy McGuinness and On the Beach has been a long-standing partnership and genuine collaboration that continues to grow creatively, right through the customer journey. >, Trevor Robinson OBE (Creative Director and Founder, Quiet Storm) (https://themarketingblog.co.uk/2025/08/who-is-that-actor-in-on-the-beach-advert/) ## Frequently asked questions ### who is the actor in On the Beach adverts UK Paddy McGuinness, a comedian and TV presenter from Bolton, is the main face of On the Beach adverts. He was signed for a campaign created by advertising agency Quiet Storm, announced in January 2024, and by 2025 was in his second year working with the brand. ### when did Paddy McGuinness start advertising On the Beach Paddy McGuinness was signed by On the Beach for a new campaign announced on 2 January 2024. The initial campaign featured TV and radio adverts, with digital video content added in 2025. ### what adverts has Paddy McGuinness done for On the Beach McGuinness has appeared in TV and radio adverts for On the Beach since January 2024. By 2025, he also starred in digital videos for online platforms, social media, and the On the Beach brand app, plus content across emails and booking forms. ### who else appeared in On the Beach commercials Actor Kevin Mathurin appeared in an On the Beach commercial, with that original advert campaign dating back to 2015. ### why did On the Beach choose Paddy McGuinness On the Beach chose Paddy McGuinness because he has broad, recognisable appeal across UK audiences and brings unpretentious fun that aligns with the brand's positioning around affordable family beach holidays. His warm-natured personality fits well with On the Beach's identity as the UK's biggest beach holiday specialist. ## Sources 1. [Who is that actor in On the Beach advert - TheMarketingblog](https://themarketingblog.co.uk/2025/08/who-is-that-actor-in-on-the-beach-advert/) (themarketingblog.co.uk) 2. [On The Beach snaps up Paddy McGuiness for new holiday campaign](https://www.marketing-beat.co.uk/2024/01/02/on-the-beach-paddy-mcguiness/) (www.marketing-beat.co.uk) 3. [The original advert campaign in 2015.... I caught the frizzbie every ...](https://www.facebook.com/kevekev73/videos/on-the-beach-commercial-the-original-advert-campaign-in-2015-i-caught-the-frizzb/394990274678767/) (www.facebook.com)