Cupid’s arrow didn’t unite Rachel and Matt Goodman – it was a paintball session!

Rachel accidentally shot Matt on the bottom during a paint-balling session in 1998 earning him the nickname ‘Peaches’ and now the couple’s quirky romantic tale of how they met is being played out to millions in a TV commercial for Hallmark.

The couple, who both work in the creative team at the card giant’s Heaton headquarters, were selected after an appeal went out to staff seeking quirky stories about how they met their other half.

Bradford-born Rachel and Matt’s paintballing tale went down a storm and landed the couple a starring role in a 30-second Valentine’s TV commercial launched this week on ITV, Sky1 and E4.

“It is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity that sounded like good fun, and we are committed to helping Hallmark succeed,” say the couple.

They re-enacted their paintballing experience for the commercial outside Clitheroe. “We even had a candle-lit dinner at the chip shop!” they say.

Since the commercial aired, they’ve been plagued with people asking for their autographs, but they say they haven’t had any other TV offers yet. “But never say never!”

Louise Hudson, Digital Business Director at Hallmark Cards, says: “This advert is intended to be the first of its kind; a real-life love story for Valentine’s Day.

“It is aimed at highlighting our personalised card service where people can create a card as unique as the one they love by uploading favourite photos, changing text and even including those names you call each other when no one else is around!”

The advert can be seen at Hallmark’s official Youtube channel, youtube.com/user/hallmarkvideo.