A CONFIDENCE-building exercise has catapulted a schoolgirl onto our television screens.

Nine-year-old Freya Cowan, from Tyldesley, has starred in her first professional TV commercial for travel company Kayak alongside her fellow student at Amanda Fairclough Stage and Film School in Horwich, Tyler Cowie.

Freya, who attends St John's Primary School in Mosley Common, and Tyler, who is also nine and from Newtown, hope their first role in a TV commercial will be a springboard to more auditions.

Freya’s mum Lisa Cowan, aged 43, said: “Freya initially attended the school for confidence-building as she was quite quiet, being an only child.

“Since attending she has blossomed and really enjoys her time there, especially the shows that they put on twice a year.

“I got a call from Amanda to see if Freya would like to go for an audition for a new advert, which she got the part for. She really enjoyed the day and we’re really proud of her.”

Tyler’s granddad Alan Cowie, aged 58, said: “It was so nice that the two of them were cast together.

“They have known each other for a while now and have built up a little rapport — so much so that the person in charge of the production thought they were actually brother and sister.

“Tyler had such a good time filming and says that he can’t wait to audition again for another advert.

“When he was younger his teacher said that one day she would see his face on the TV — and she was right.”

The advert shows the young actors getting excited when their “dad” books a holiday and it is due to be aired on March 12.