THE Magpies-mad youngster who stars in the new Coca-Cola commercials is really a Manchester United fan.

Joe Cowling, 12, is seen in the TV advertisement leaping up and down in a Newcastle United shirt.

But the youngster, who beat 300 others to win the role, said he was a fan of the Red Devils.

Joe, from Haydon Bridge, Northumberland, said: "I was amazed when I got the role.

"I have been acting for a year, just in a local drama group, so I never dreamed I would be doing anything like this.

"It is really weird seeing myself on TV. I'm a Manchester United fan, so just putting on the Newcastle strip was a challenge."

Joe plays a young Geordie nervous at the prospect of going to watch his heroes play.