EYG's latest recruit becomes unexpected star of national TV

26th September 2023

Our York branch sales manager Trevor Bottomley found himself at the centre of a media storm this month which culminated with him appearing on national television – on the sofa of one of his favourite daytime TV programmes.

Trevor, who turns 86 in December, hit the headlines due to his keenness to return to work at an age when most people are opting to slow down.

He used to work as a sales consultant at EYG, but left in 2017 when his wife Maureen suffered a stroke and he left to care for her full time.

However, after being sadly widowed in April after 65 years of marriage, Trevor found himself lonely and hating being at home.

After popping in to see his former colleagues at EYG’s Hull head office, Trevor got into a chat with Hull Sales Manager Jeremy, who offered him the opportunity to return to work with us.

After sharing our news of Trevor’s new role on social media and with the local newspaper, Trevor found himself in a whirlwind of publicity, culminating in a personal appearance on Channel Four’s ‘Steph’s Packed Lunch’ where he was interviewed by presenter Steph McGovern.

Trevor, who is based full time at our York branch, at Langlands garden centre, in Shiptonthorpe, has also found himself in most national newspapers, from The Mirror, The Sun, and The Star; to regional publications such as The Metro, Hull Daily Mail (front page, no less), Yorkshire Post, and on digital platforms including Wales Online, and Nottingham Live.

He also was the subject of a feature on BBC’s Look North, where he was followed by a film crew who filmed his morning routine from making a cup of tea, through to his drive to work, and greeting his new colleagues at the garden centre.

It’s been a pleasant surprise for Trevor, finding himself the centre of so much attention, and the highlight was the Channel 4 TV appearance, which he said he used to watch every day with Maureen.

“It was one of the best days of my life,” he said afterwards. “Maureen and I used to watch Steph’s Packed Lunch every day, so to find myself there was amazing, and they looked after me so well.”

At the end of his segment, which was filmed at their studio in Leeds, Steph surprised Trevor with the promise of a VIP trip to watch the filming of Countdown – another firm favourite of his and Maureen’s.

Trevor added: “They were all so lovely, I really enjoyed myself, and I can’t wait to visit the Countdown studio as well.”

This week, Trevor is back to reality, in his garden room office at Langlands, and back to welcoming customers who are keen to benefit from his 53 years’ experience in the home improvements industry.

EYG’s Sales and Marketing Director John Waugh said: “It’s been a joy to see Trevor on television and enjoying his press and TV appearances, he has received some wonderful feedback from viewers, who all think he’s an inspiration for the older generation, and they’d be right, he absolutely is.”

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