Barry was well known to many of us with for his immortal catchphrase ‘bang, and the dirt is gone’ which invaded our television screens for years
Barry Scott is back with a bang! A Cillit Bang, to be precise, as for the first time in almost a decade, the cleaning product pitchman is returning to help remove grime from our kitchens.
After debuting in 2005 with the immortal line, “Bang, and the dirt is gone,” Barry became a staple of advertising breaks throughout the late 2000s and 2010s, becoming a cult figure in the process.
Such was the advertising dirtbuster’s popularity, his commercials inspired TV comedy parodies, and even dance music remixes.
However, in 2018 he disappeared from our screens, seemingly for good, and mystery has surrounded his time out of the spotlight.
After years of media and online speculation, conspiracy theories, memes, a death hoax, and reported sightings at pub quizzes, the story of Barry’s wilderness years is now being told in a new documentary film.
Speaking about his remarkable return, Cillit Bang’s greatest ever salesman said: “Hi! I’m Barry Scott. But you know that! I’m unbelievably excited to be back with my beloved Cillit Bang, obliterating tough stains as we go. For the last ten years I’ve been watching the nation’s speculation around my disappearance, so once the call came in, I knew I had to come back!”
The film charts Barry’s attempts to find a new calling in life following his grime-busting glory days. From a failed career as a librarian, to making an appearance as a running race starter and even a foray into fan-funded content creation, Barry has unsuccessfully turned his hand to a number of jobs. Ultimately, however, the star played by actor Neil Burgess, 59, reveals that nothing could compete with his love for the trusted power cleaners.
Xin Na Zeng, Senior Brand Manager at Cillit Bang, added: “With Barry back behind the spray trigger, attacking the nation’s toughest household stains, he’s loving showing off Cillit Bang’s amazing results first time, in front of the camera again. After a long break, 2026 feels like the perfect time to get the nation back celebrating those ‘Bang, and the dirt is gone!’ moments once more.”
Now he’s back in the Cillit saddle, Barry is backing the relaunch of the Cillit Bang Black Mould Remover,100% Limescale Remover, and Kitchen Grease Remover, as well as celebrating the launch of brand-new Bathroom Grime Remover. It’s like he’s never been away!