LIGHTS, camera, action — the three words that help to brighten Bob Horsefield’s day.

Without Bob’s expertise, film directors would be working in the dark.

He is a freelance film and television gaffer — taking care of all the lighting needs on set.

Mr Horsefield, aged 57, has one of those unusual job titles that we see when the credits roll in the cinema or on our television screens.

Working as a gaffer means Bob, of Horwich, is responsible for all the lighting on set and getting all the lighting equipment to the filming location — and it is a far more technical and complicated job than you might imagine.

His son, Sam, aged 27, is his best boy, which means he also plays a starring role in the lighting department, under the gaffer’s guidance.

Bob’s elder son, Ben, aged 31, used to be his best boy. “But he couldn’t cope with his dad shouting at him at work,” he said.

If the director wants a sunny day, then Bob ensures his lighting compensates for the typically cloudy English sky, and if he demands a night scene, and filming is taking place during the day, then Bob has to ensure all the natural light is blacked out.

He has worked on many major popular dramas, including Waterloo Road, Waking the Dead and Silent Witness, and rubbed shouldered with famous actors.

Ruth Jones, who writes and stars in Gavin and Stacey, is one of Bob’s favourite actors. She bought him, and his new wife, Karen, aged 47, a wedding gift, when they were recently married.

Mr Horsefield has fond memories of working with Samantha Janus — remembering one particular bedroom scene which saw him getting up close and personal with the star of Eastenders.

“When actors switch lights on and off, they aren’t actually touching the switches — I have to ensure the lights go on and off at the right time.

“For this scene, I had to hide under a dressing table to work the lights, and Sam Janus had to walk over to it with no clothes on,” he said.

Bob has worked on television commercials — “they pay well” — and feature films.

He described Pauline Quirke as “down to earth” and Denise Welch as “great fun to work with. What you see with Denise is what you get,” he said.