Bristol firm's 'odd' temp turns out to be Welsh Starlet

Staff at Bristol-based software company Clik got more than they bargained for when they hired a temp for the day in August. After a series of bizarre antics the wacky temp finally revealed her true identity – the one and only Charlotte Church!

It emerged that the Welsh singer-turned-TV-presenter had rigged the stunt for her new venture – The Charlotte Church Show – currently showing on Friday nights on Channel 4. During the show Charlotte, who does not shy away from controversy, combines celebrity guest appearances with pranks and hidden camera stunts. The ‘Clik episode’ will be screened this Friday 1st September.

Clik’s Managing Director Geoff Adams explains: “When we were first contacted by the production company Monkey TV, we thought it would be a great idea and an opportunity to have some fun in the office.

“Setting up the secret cameras the night before needed over five and a half hours’ work. It was difficult getting people to leave. In the end I had to make up an excuse that the power was being turned off. They eventually went and cameras were set up in a TV, in the light fittings and even on a desk hidden in a pencil case.”

Once at Clik’s office, fake temp Charlotte – aka Stacey Smith – complete with curly black wig, glasses and fake teeth, caused havoc with her bizarre antics. Having first decorated her desk with soft toys, she asked colleagues to guess the toys’ names. When they understandably became bored of this, ‘Stacey’ began throwing her toys across the desk at them.

Clik’s Marketing Executive April Boulton, who was in on the joke, said, “I was finding it hard to keep a straight face. Everyone in the office was wondering what was going on. In fact our Sales Director Paul became so annoyed he wanted me to ask her to leave. I obviously had to convince him to let her stay - he couldn't understand why!”

‘Stacey’s’ odd behaviour continued throughout the day as she insulted the firm’s accountant, argued loudly with her boyfriend on the phone, spun around on her chair and deliberately addressed staff by the wrong name.

At 3pm April finally revealed Stacey’s true identity: “I had to tell the office the reason she was such a bad temp was because she was in fact Charlotte Church, then I pulled her wig off. Everyone was shocked, but they all saw the funny side.”

Sales Director Paul Snowden said: “I couldn't believe someone could be that crazy, although I didn't for one minute guess what was going on. I was furious with her during the day, but looking back it was hilarious. How often do you have Charlotte Church sat next to you at work?”

Geoff Adams added: “Our staff work extremely hard and we are celebrating a very good year that has seen excellent sales. While we are very busy, we still have a fun, sociable atmosphere in the office. This was a chance to enjoy a light-hearted moment with the team - plus we’ll be on national TV in front of millions.”

Will Innes from production company Monkey TV said: “Everyone at Clik was fantastic - we were so lucky to find such a cool, welcoming and fun team. Paul was a star and he was really good humoured once he knew he'd been had.”