A mechanic who left his garage to seek fame and fortune as an actor has landed his first TV break - playing a mechanic.

Shaun Smith jacked in his job to retrain as a future star, leaving Sussex for the bright lights of London.

He is now sending temperatures soaring with a troupe of female models in a cult commercial.

The advert for Chicken Tonight Sizzle & Stir sauce features the actor and a bevy of scantily-clad young ladies whose van breaks down in a remote spot.

But Shaun's character, a mechanic, is so engrossed in stir-frying his chicken supper he fails to hear the women frantically knocking on his cottage door.

The 36-year-old, who has a steady girlfriend, said the ad gave him his first glimpse of fame, adding: "I spent two nights in a hotel with the girls."

Shaun, who grew up in Cuckfield before moving to Brighton, turned to acting late and only recently left drama school.

He said: "This is sort of my first break. I was in another advert while I was at college but this is my first since leaving.

"I have been recognised locally in the shops as a result of the advert, which has been strange.

"Acting is something I had always dreamed of doing.

"I did a bit at school but when I left I thought I had to get a proper job so started an apprenticeship.

"I didn't really chase up the acting until I decided to move to London to start a new life.

"I went along to a part-time drama course and did that for a year, which I absolutely adored. I then thought I would try for drama school."

Shaun was accepted on to the course and in a showcase at the climax of the three years was voted the "critics' choice" among the male actors.

He also signed up with an agency, which put him forward for the Sizzle & Stir ad.

Shaun said he had a few more projects in the pipeline.

He said: "There's another advert coming up for a credit card and I hope there could be a film on the cards in the summer.

"But I hope people will remember the advert, particularly as the more it is shown, the more money it means for me!"