The iconic ‘Kevin the Carrot’ is back for Aldi’s new 2021 Christmas advert, and he’s recruited the help of some pals for a very important cause.
The budget supermarket retailer has certainly become known for its Christmas adverts starring everyone’s favourite carrot character in recent years, and this year, it’s absolutely no different, as the release of the 2021 edition yesterday evening soon amassed millions of views and thousands of comments and interactions.
The advert is a take on Charles Dickens’ classic A Christmas Carol – renamed ‘A Christmas Carrot by Charles Chickens’ – and it features various different, and excellently-named, festive food-themed characters including its lead ‘Ebanana Scrooge’, and Kevin himself taking on the role of ‘the Spirit of Christmas’.
The story follows the Christmas-loathing Ebanana, who is reminded of the joys of the festive season by the Spirit of Christmas until he eventually realises the positives of Christmas, and goes around spreading goodwill.
But there’s one name from the advert that everyone’s talking about – ‘Marcus Radishford’.
During Ebanana and the Spirit of Christmas’s whistle-stop tour of the joys of Christmas, they encounter a smiley red radish named ‘Marcus Radishford’, which is of course a clever pun based on the Manchester United and England footballer, and is actually voiced by the 24-year-old Wythenshawe-born striker too.
“Look, there’s Marcus Radishford – he’s always helping kids,” the Spirit of Christmas tells Ebanana on their tour.
“Merry Christmas Kevin,” Marcus Radishford replies.
And Marcus’s inclusion is for a brilliant cause as well, as for the advert, Aldi has partnered with award-winning giving platform Neighbourly – which helps businesses make a positive impact in their communities by donating volunteer time, money, and surplus products, all in one place – to donate 1.8 million meals to families in need this Christmas.
Aldi already currently works with Neighbourly to donate its surplus food to local causes.
“As a family, we relied on the local food bank to get our Christmas dinner,” Marcus Rashford explained, adding: “To this day, I remember queuing outside that building with mum, mum feeling embarrassed that she might be recognise [and] it’s with that in mind that I’m delighted to lend my support to the Aldi campaign.”
During Ebanana and the Spirit of Christmas’s whistle-stop tour, they encounter a smiley red radish named Marcus Radishford / Credit: Aldi UK & Ireland
Marcus continued: “For many children in situations like mine growing up, there is very little expectation around this time of year, add the impact of the pandemic and the very least they deserve is a Christmas dinner.”
He also added on Twitter: “Well done Aldi, this is much bigger than a Christmas ad. [It] might not be Oscar-worthy, but glad I could play my part.”
Sean McGinty – Marketing Director at Aldi UK – added: “Christmas is a time for hope, and we’re privileged to be working with Marcus, who is one of the most inspirational young people in the UK, having done so much in the past 18 months to help provide free school meals for children.
“At the same time, it wouldn’t be the festive season without Kevin the Carrot on our TV screens, and we’re thrilled to be bringing him back for the sixth year for his many fans, in what we think is his best Yuletide performance yet.
“We hope our campaign will remind everyone of the true meaning of Christmas.”
“We hope our campaign will remind everyone of the true meaning of Christmas.” / Credit: Aldi UK & Ireland
Steve Butterworth – Chief Executive at Neighbourly – said: “We’re delighted to be supporting Aldi in their year-round food redistribution programme and in their commitment to donate 1.8 million meals this Christmas.
“These donations will help a record number of families across the UK during what is expected to be the busiest year on record for local charities and causes.”
You can watch the 2021 Aldi Christmas advert in full here.
Featured Image – Aldi UK & Ireland
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A deal has reportedly been agreed for Antony to leave Manchester United
Danny Jones
Currently exiled winger Antony looks like he’s finally set to leave Manchester United, as the Red Devils have reportedly agreed a deal with a Spanish team, Real Betis, to seal his return.
The 25-year-old winger, who joined Man United from Ajax in 2022 at the behest of former manager Erik ten Hag for nearly £90 million all told, has made 96 appearances for the club, but has only played a handful of games under Ruben Amorim.
Most notably, he also doesn’t look to be part of Amorim’s plans, and it looks like the Sevillan side may not have to turn to far-fetched measures after all.
Sharing the update on social media, Daily Telegraph journalist Mike McGrath wrote: “Agreement in principle for Antony to return to Real Betis, according to Spanish sources.
“Talks have been over a deal where the 25yo Brazil forward to eventually move permanently after [an] initial loan.”
As you can see, since these reports, the latest from other sources is that an official bid has now been received, though nothing has been signed just yet.
It goes without saying that Antony, who scored nine goals and five assists in 26 appearances for Los Béticos – many of which came in crucial games – would be keen on the switch.
Once again, it is only believed to be an agreement in principle at this point, but there is understandably a keenness on all sides.
You can see why he was an instant hit with their supporters down below.
Antony quickly looked much more at home in the Betis starting XI than he did in Manchester.
Although it is said that United have not yet accepted the bid, freelance transfer specialist Sam Alex claims that the Premier League club would prefer not to loan him out for a second time.
That being said, as McGrath states, it’s thought that the hope is that they can agree on another short-term spell in the immediate, with a look to sign him full-time at a later date.
Betis have reiterated that they still have a modest budget when it comes to recruitment, and it is unclear whether they’d be able to raise enough money via player sales by January to make it a permanent deal.
United have ended up spending more than £200m this window and are rumoured to be spending further as Jim Ratcliffe and the INEOS Sports Group look to try and get the global sporting brand back to ‘the good days’, which the Portuguese coach insists are coming.
Nevertheless, the ex-Sporting boss has now played more Premier League games (29) than he has won points, of which he has amassed just 28 thus far. Those new signings have to start clicking soon.
Featured Images — Ardfern (via Wikimedia Commons)/La Liga (screenshot via YouTube)
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BBC needs outspoken Mancs to share their hottest TV takes in brand-new show
Emily Sergeant
Outspoken Mancs are being urged to apply to take part in a new BBC show where they share their hottest TV takes.
We all have opinions when it comes to television, right? Whether it be which show had the best and worst ending, which characters deserved better arcs, or which shows are the most underrated – you name it, someone will have an opinion on it.
Some people, however, like to broadcast or shout about their options a little louder than others do… and it’s these people the BBC is looking to speak to.
The broadcaster is currently in the process of casting for a new digital pilot called People Watching that will give people from across the UK a chance to share their hottest TV takes, straight from the comfort of their own sofa, and is looking for outspoken people from across Greater Manchester to talk the talk and take part.
The BBC needs outspoken Mancs to share their hottest TV takes in a brand-new show / Credit: CoWomen (via Pexels)
A casting call for the new show on the BBC website reads: “Subtitles on or off? What would your winning strategy be on The Traitors? And what is the most overrated show ever made?
“If you have a big personality, an interesting living room, or are part of a household group who love a binge watch – we want to hear from you.”
People Watching is being produced for the BBC by BBC Socials, which likely means it’ll be a show primarily made for online audiences.
To apply to feature on the show, you’ll need to be 18 years old or over, and you must be willing to allow the BBC to film in your home.
Applicants will need to send casting directors a short ‘expression of interest’ in the form of a paragraph or video link, telling them a bit about yourself, your favourite BBC show, and most importantly, your most controversial TV opinion.
The closing date for applications is 1 October 2025, and you can apply by sending an email to [email protected]
Emily Sergeant -
11th November 2021 
