Voters tore the new ad campaign for the Liberal Party of Australia to shreds online, ahead of the July 2 Australian federal election. Released on June 19, reaction on social media was strong, with many commenters calling it “cringeworthy” and inventing the hashtag #faketradie. One commenter wrote: “Was this directed by the same person that did Johnny Depp and Amber Heard’s apology video?” Some even took issue with basic health and safety violations apparent in the video’s worksite. Confusion remains over whether the man in the ad is an actor or in fact a real tradie. Credit: Facebook/Liberal Party of Australia

Real Tradie Andrew MacRae says he is going to enjoy his five minutes of fame and ignore the “keyboard warriors” who have mocked the election ad he stars in.

Speaking from his Lane Cove home, the 50-year-old told the Daily Telegraph his friends and family had been worried for his well-being after unions launched a vicious social media campaign against the Liberal Party’s TV ad.

But he tried to put the #FakeTradie row to bed once and for all by proclaiming: “I am the real deal.”

Mr MacRae hit the limelight as the star of the Liberal Party’s prime time commercial featuring him in a high-vis vest on a building site, alleging that the opposition has declared war on banks, mining and blue-collar workers.

‘Bill Shorten even wants to go to war with me. Someone who just wants to get ahead through an investment property. I reckon we should just stick it through, and stick with the current mob for a while,’ he says in the 30-second ad.

The ad was quickly ridiculed on social media yesterday with some accusing the government of hiring an actor, questioning the tradie’s expensive-looking watch, the layout of his building site and even the ceramic cup he was holding..

It quickly became a leading topic on social media with #faketradie trending on Twitter. A twitter account @FakeTradie was even created, pouring further scorn on the advertisement.

Next it was the unions to have their fun with #faketradie, producing their own ad criticising Malcolm Turnbull before the government stepped in to confirmthe star of the ad was actually a real tradie.

Mr MacRae said critics were “foolish” and “crazy to push a lie”.

“My friends have been really concerned for my well being but I am not an actor and I am freaked out by all of this.

the Courier Mail has done an incredibly detailed fact-check infographic on the #faketradie pic.twitter.com/6biDoe7eg3 — Josh Butler (@JoshButler) June 20, 2016

“I do property maintenance and one of my clients was an advertising agency and they got me involved.”

Mr MacRae said he has never been a member of the Liberal party and laughed off suggestions his clothes were too clean in the commercial.

“The whole this is crazy, I’m a tradie and I work all over Sydney.”

Choked on my bacon and egg roll when I heard the Libs announced I'm a real tradie. Next they'll be announcing real action on climate change. — Fake Tradie (@FakeTradie) June 20, 2016

I'm tired of people questioning my credentials. I'm as genuine as an Eddie MCGuire apology and a Malcolm Turnbull promise. — Fake Tradie (@FakeTradie) June 20, 2016

Mr MacRae is a metalworker by trade but is also involved in the real estate industry.

“My mates think this is the funniest thing,” he said.

“I’m not going to let it get to me, I’ll just enjoy my five minutes of fame and get on being the real tradie.”