Asda is the latest retailer to throw its hat into the Christmas advert ring for 2023, and it’s fair to say it’s pulled out all the stops this year.
That’s because the supermarket has managed to get “the biggest fan of Christmas” to star.
With several other retailers – including M&S, Aldi, Morrisons, TK Maxx, and lots more – having now released their Christmas TV adverts, and countless others airing as the days go on, Asda took to social media last week on 1 November to share a teaser of the commercial it would be bringing to the table this year.
And shoppers just couldn’t believe their eyes when they discovered that it seemed to star ACTUAL Michael Bublé.
Christmas is finally here and we can’t wait to get started 🎄💚
Talking of started, we have a new hire! Say hello to our newest colleague, Michael Bublé 🤩🎤
After 2022’s viral fan-favourite Buddy the Elf ad stole the show, Asda confirmed what fans were hoping would be true as unveiled its full Christmas ad over the weekend, and the Canadian singer-songwriter does, in fact, take centre stage in the festive production.
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The singer has assumed the role of the supermarket’s inaugural ‘Chief Quality Officer’ especially for it.
Tasked with ensuring the retailer “delivers the very-best quality for the nation this Christmas”, Bublé is seen measuring rows of individual chocolate and orange panettones, and treating himself to some brown butter and spiced dark rum mince pies, all from Asda’s expansive 2023 festive food and drink range.
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Asda has just released its Christmas TV advert for 2023 / Credit: Asda
Other scenes in the 90-second advert show Bublé making his way around the Asda festive warehouse sampling new nibbles and tipples, approving the range of different products, and even requesting a “clean up on aisle five”.
Basically, as what Asda has dubbed “an indisputable connoisseur of Christmas”, Bublé draws on his expertise throughout the ad to make sure every product on the supermarket’s shelves is top quality.
If the star of the show wasn’t impressive enough as it is this year, who was behind the camera is almost equally as impressive by supermarket Christmas advert standards, as Asda has revealed that the commercial was shot by Oscar-winning filmmaker and comedic actor, Taika Waititi.
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The supermarket’s 2023 advert stars the “indisputable connoisseur of Christmas” / Credit: Asda
“I love my relationship with the UK, and I’m the biggest fan of Christmas,” Michael Bublé said as the advert was officially released.
“So it was an honour to be asked to star in Asda’s Christmas advert this year.
“Adopting the role of Chief Quality Officer, I took my responsibility very seriously, ensuring all product met the highest possible standards.
“I believe Christmas is a time like no other, there’s a special feeling in the air, a little more magic to be found, and even more excuses to put on a show with great tasting food.”
David Hills, who is Asda’s Chief Customer Officer, added on the ad’s release: “At Asda, we firmly believe that having the good stuff shouldn’t break the bank – especially at Christmas.
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“We absolutely love the festive season, and we couldn’t think of anyone better to bring our Christmas campaign to life than Michael Bublé.
“With Bublé’s undeniable ability to spread seasonal smiles and our commitment to quality, at great value, we’re a match made in heaven, proving Asda is a one-stop-shop for families seeking magic this Christmas.”
Featured Image – Asda
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The 2025 Manchester Marathon is set to create the UK’s biggest-ever day of running
Danny Jones
The 2025 Manchester Marathon is just a month away now and as this year’s race is once again set to coincide with another major event (quite literally), it’s about to become the biggest day of runningin UK history.
Like, ever…
Greater Manchester is no stranger to making sporting history, be it athletics, football, tennis or otherwise – you name it, we can lay our claim to plenty.
However, stuff like this always makes us feel part of something truly ‘greater’ and genuinely special as the tens of thousands preparing to run through the city centre and surrounding areas are about to put us in the record books in the running world.
Credit: Manchester Marathon
As more than 36,000 racers, joggers, fundraisers and downright legends are scheduled to take on the Manchester Marathon this year – with the annual event on course to break its attendance record – even more will be taking on the equivalent down south, given it is one of the official World Majors.
Recently, the Manchester and London Marathons have been colliding, and with the 2025 editions of both due to take place on the same day for the second year in a row, it means there’ll be an unprecedented number of participants taking on the 26.2-mile challenge.
More accurately, it’s predicted that over 90,000 runners will be out on the roads of the nation’s capital and its second city (yeah, you heard us, Birmingham), which will be the greatest concurrent number in British history – at least on record when it comes to marathons.
The potential milestones don’t stop with just those taking part, either; as per an official press release from the event time, it’s predicted to be a record-breaking day for charity too.
An estimated £80m is set to be raised for charitable causes, including the adidas Manchester Marathon charity partners: the British Heart Foundation, Alzheimer’s Society, The Christie and Cancer Research UK. Incredible stuff.
In one month you’ll be making your way to the 2025 adidas Manchester Marathon start line!📢
We are buzzing – are you? Comment the GIF that best describes how you are feeling one month out ⬇️ pic.twitter.com/1ioROLfejW
Commenting on what will be a historic day for UK Marathons, Andrew Smith, CEO of A.S.O. UK, said: “Having the adidas Manchester Marathon and the London Marathon take place on the same day — Sunday 27th April — marks a landmark moment for British running.
“We’re incredibly proud to be part of this historic occasion, inspiring 90,000 people to take on 26.2 miles, supported by nearly a million spectators across the country.
As if all this wasn’t already momentous enough, nearly a million spectators are expected to line the streets to cheer on all the PB hopefuls and fundraisers – we can only hope for similarly groundbreaking crowds and levels of support to mark the occasion.
Featured Images — adidas Manchester Marathon (supplied)
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ITV’s Dancing on Ice is being taken off the air after nearly two decades
Danny Jones
A UK TV staple looks to have come to an end after nearly 20 years as ITV appears to have axed, or at the very least shelved, their long-standing annual show, Dancing on Ice.
The celebrity ice-skating competition and reality programme started all the way back in 2006 and was a British favourite for a long time, especially during the heyday of X-Factor, Britain’s Got Talent, I’m A Celeb and the like.
However, following a slump over recent years, ITV has announced that Dancing on Ice will not be returning next year and could be seemingly be sidelined indefinitely.
Confirmed on Thursday, 27 March, just over a fortnight after Coronation Street star Sam Aston (Chesney Brown) won the 2025 final, it looks like you won’t be seeing celebs skating on ice again for some time.
Speaking to the Metro, a spokesperson for the broadcaster said in an official statement: “Following another successful series earlier this year, Dancing On Ice will be rested in 2026 with no current plans for another series.”
The 2025 Dancing on Ice lineup (Credit: ITVX)
“We would like to take this opportunity to thank all of the cast and crew who have worked on the show since 2006, and over the previous 17 series, for all of their hard work both on and off the ice.”
An average of just under three million viewers tuned into ITV1 live for the launch of the most recent show back in January, while approximately 3.6 million tuned in to watch the first episode last year.
Presented by familiar famous faces, Holly Willoughby and Stephen Mulhern, judged by ice skating legends Jayne Torvill and Christopher Dean, as well as dancing duo Ashley Banjo and Oti Mabuse – with previous hosts including Christine Lampard and Phillip Schofield – it’s been a mainstay for 19 years.
ITV has actually halted Dancing on Ice once before just over a decade ago, when the show was rested after its ninth season; the ‘first’ run ended with an all-star series, only for it to ultimately return to our screens just four years later in 2018.
Having now been cut short just 12 months short of its 20th anniversary, fans as well as former cast and crew members alike have been bidding it bittersweet goodbye:
So #DancingOnIce has been shelved for the 2nd time. Sadly I saw this coming right from the moment I knew Jane & Chris were performing for the last time. The format had become tired and the ratings were atrocious. The correct decision. pic.twitter.com/bo7FZXozAP
— All Things Dancing On Ice (@AllThingsDOI) March 26, 2025
Radio and TV enthusiast Ryan Glendenning went on to add: “Also take a moment to acknowledge the hard work that went into Dancing on Ice from the pros, behind the scenes people, choreographers, judges and the celebs.
“Back in the Ray Quinn/Hayley Tamadon days, the show thrived – sadly, that’s not the case anymore. ITV killed this show!”
Emily Sergeant -
6th November 2023 
