A 31-year-old graphic designer from Woodville will see his poster creations on television and across social media thanks to his close friendship with Celebrity Big Brother housemate Derek Acorah.
Martin Cooper, known as Mart, believes the charitable television medium and spiritualist has a good shot at winning the Channel 5 competition which sees celebrities living together under one roof, with the winner donating their cash prize to charity.
The former Abbot Beyne school pupil has been designing Acorah’s tour posters for many years after joining his fan club and was set the task of designing official posters in support of the former Most Haunted presenter’s time in the Celebrity Big Brother house, the competition of which kicked off on Tuesday, August 1.
Mart said he was confident that his friend could be declared the champion. He said: "I have been a fan since the Most Haunted days in 2002.
"I personally think he has good shot at winning it and I am not saying that just because he is a friend, but people will see him for who he really is, a kind, genuine man, not what the media sometimes make him, and all mediums out to be.
"I think there is a lot of backstabbing and treachery that goes on in the (Celebrity Big Brother) house and Derek is the complete opposite of that but people will see right off the bat that Derek is a lovely, helpful man. So I think he can win it.
"I have always been interested in spirits and the paranormal and regularly visited spiritualist churches when I was younger with my mum but I got interested in Derek because he has a wonderful stage presence. He isn’t morbid or depressing even though he is speaking about death and loved ones that have passed on. It obviously all started, like most people, with Most Haunted, I loved that programme in the beginning. I was hooked. After a short while I began going to his live stage shows and I thought he was brilliant. All the information he gave was accurate and on point. If I wasn’t a fan already I was now."
As well as being a big fan of his work Mart says Acorah is very charitable with his fan club, which raises funds for Pathfinder Dogs each year, which trains German Shepherds as guide dogs.
Mart said: "Derek is a passionate medium who loves his work immensely but always gives back through charity. One of Derek’s main charities that he and his wife, Gwen, are patrons of is Pathfinder Dogs and his fan club, each year, runs a brilliant get together for his fans, which has a three-course sit down meal, disco and an auction which raises funds for Pathfinder Dogs."
Derek and his wife even turned up to celebrate Mart’s 30th birthday in Derby last year.
"I see and speak to him and his wife Gwen on a regular basis as I now work for him. He is a lovely genuine man, very kind and generous," he said.
"My favourite memory I have of him is when me and several others went out in Derby for my 30th birthday. We had so much fun, he let his hair down, as did I, and we all had a blast. He treated us all to a lovely meal and it was a birthday I'll never forget."
Derek even took Mart on as his graphic designer, after completing his HND in IT.
He said: "It was a gradual build up over the past four or so years, going from small things to now doing his tour posters, social media graphics, his tour souvenir programmes, his newsletters and anything else graphic design related. I also have work on his official website from time to time."
Mart’s latest Celebrity Big Brother creations are now being shared all over social media.
When asked if Mart will be going down to the studios if he is up for eviction, Mart corrected the Burton Mail, saying: "I doubt I will be going to his eviction, I will be going to his victory walk out instead."
