Comic Relief: Deadpool’s Generous Alter Ego

Jack Walsh from Clayton-Le-Moors has always loved superheroes. A self-described superhero nerd, up until the age of six, he spent most of his time in a Spiderman suit… “If that’s not the best upbringing, I don’t know what is!” Jack laughs.

As Jack entered adulthood, he traded his Spiderman attire for a Marks and Spencer work uniform, dedicating his weekends to serving customers as a retail superhero.

It was then, in 2016, Jack became close to someone who had motor neuron disease. ‘I didn’t know much about the disease until we met. She was a godsend – the salt of the earth. When she unfortunately passed, I wanted to do something to spread awareness,’ Jack explains. Inspired by his love for superhero characters, he purchased a Deadpool suit and embarked on a journey to raise funds.

Wearing the suit, Jack organised street collections and faced physically demanding challenges. From three-hour bike cycles to a 25-mile walk, his commitment to fundraising knew no bounds. “The first collection I did was for the MND care centre at Lancashire Teaching Hospital. Then I did a three-hour cycle in Marks and Spencer for Macmillan. I didn’t own a pair of trainers then, so I had to do it in my socks!”

“I was taking photos with the lens cap on at the beginning! But it just snowballed from there.”

As his popularity grew, he realised the need to upgrade his suit to match his expanding charity work. Batman and Daredevil suits joined his collection and so far, Jack has raised an amazing £2177.50 in total for various charities.

Jack’s journey took a surprising turn when he landed a role in Hollyoaks as an extra under the casting agency ‘Impact Casting’. Having studied performing arts in high school and college, this opportunity allowed him to reconnect with his passion.

“I was always a big fan of Hollyoaks growing up, and I’ve met so much of the cast. I have to play it cool when chatting to them,” Jack laughs.

Meeting the cast and immersing himself in the acting world became a dream come true. As he continues to pursue his acting aspirations, he maintains his love for photography and pops up in front of the camera too, both in and out of costume.

I’m a huge fan of comic books, so I know all the characters and poses.

As we spoke, Jack was still processing the whirlwind of emotions from his recent on-screen debut on Hollyoaks, just a few days prior. “I don’t know what I was thinking!” Jack groans. “I had the longest hair I’d had in years and a big beard when the episode was filmed. Then I decided to wear this bright yellow shirt!” Perhaps not the look you want for your first taste of fame!

Jack’s creative spirit thrives through various pursuits, including acting, charity work, and modelling. Photography has been integral to Jack’s life since his grandmother introduced him at a young age. Captivated by the art form, he started capturing moments and emotions, particularly in the live music scene. The thrill of being behind the camera during concerts and gigs became his sanctuary. Jack’s love for music and his talent for photography merged seamlessly, enabling him to create captivating images that resonate with the energy of the performances.

“My grandma used to document all the families’ lives with a video camera. I got fascinated with it. Then my nana gave me my first camera, a film Nikon 2, which I still have. I was obsessed with that camera! In 2016, my friend started a band, Tourist Attractions, and I wanted to be involved. I used to go to gigs, and while everyone else was enjoying themselves, I’d tried to get the best picture. They had their first big gig at Gorilla in Manchester, and I was the photographer – I was taking photos with the lens cap on at the beginning! But it just snowballed from there. It was four years of travelling down to Manchester three times a week!”

He is also an ardent fan of comic books and has found joy in photographing cosplayers, bringing their characters to life through his lens. ‘I have many friends who are cosplayers, so I’m always trying to photograph them. I’m a huge fan of comic books, so I know all the characters and poses.’

When Jack isn’t attempting to persuade his friends to try out daredevil comic book poses, he also creates digital artwork inspired by the band Twentyone Pilots under the moniker ‘The Lone Bandito.’

Embracing his passion for photography and creative pursuits, Jack continues to make a lasting impact in his community. His story reminds us that anyone can be a hero and that sometimes, all it takes is a willingness to step out of the ordinary and make a difference in extraordinary ways.

NorthernLife Sep/Oct 23