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.
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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Microdot exhibit for BRITs 2026: the artwork of Oasis, Verve and more up in Manchester Piccadilly
Danny Jones
If you’ve passed through Manchester Piccadilly of late, you might have noticed two things: one, it’s really quiet, and two, there’s loads of cool Britpop merch and memorabilia on display, including original Oasis, The Verve, Inspiral Carpets art and more – all courtesy of Microdot.
Set up as part of the city’s own BRITs celebrations, along with a raft of other nationwide festivities, as the annual music award ceremony prepares to make its Manc debut at the Co-op Live this month, the showcase features special edition frames and more, all pride of place in the middle of the train station.
This collection, simply entitled ‘A Microdot Design’, is all done by the legendary Brian Cannon, the graphic designer and art director behind so much recognisable visual material within the genre.
We recently had the honour of speaking to the man himself in person ahead of Piccadilly’s temporary closure; you can see our interview with him right here:
The Wigan-born artist and visionary didn’t just make promotional materials for some of the biggest bands in the 1990s; he’s responsible for what has gone on to become some of the most familiar iconography in British music history.
With this pop-up exhibit available for a limited time only, we strongly urge you to go along and, for once, take your time rather than rushing around the station as you peruse the boards placed right near the main entrance.
Charting his work from circa 1990 up until now, it’s crazy to see just how many of Brian and Microdot’s fingerprints are all over so many different bands and artists.
From native names like Oasis, The Verve and the Inspirals, as mentioned, as well as the likes of Cast, Super Furry Animals, Suede and Ash, plus so many more, this guy has been nothing short of prolific over the past few decades.
Audio North took a little tour of the King Street South unit last year in the lead-up to Oasis Live ’25 reunion world tour, and we felt like kids in a Britpop sweetshop.
While this site has sadly since closed, shutting up shop back in July, Brian’s mini, modest, but nevertheless magic Microdot Boutique up in the Lake District is still standing.
Located in the popular North West town and tourist attraction, Kendal, it’s worth a trip there to see more of his portfolio alone.
Currently on display at Manchester Piccadilly ahead of the full 2026 BRITs Week and shindig at Co-op Live, it’s one of the best completely free things you can do in town at the moment – but the exhibition finishes on Sunday, 1 March, so make sure you don’t miss it.
Speaking of the BRIT Awards, if you’re wondering what else is on as 0161 gets ready welcome them for their two-year stint (at least), look no further…
Two brothers from Oldham are beating out the likes of Taylor Swift in the iTunes charts
Danny Jones
A pair of brothers from Oldham who simply go by Two Connors are now holding on to the top spot in one of the biggest iTunes charts, and they’re beating the likes of Taylor Swift, Bruno Mars, Bad Bunny and many more.
Stuff your global music stars, we’ll back a duo from Greater Manchester all day long.
Danny and Callum Connor, a couple of blokes from Oldham in their mid-30s, are currently number one in the iTunes singles charts with their latest song, ‘Familiar Faces’, but this isn’t the first time they’ve gone big with a release online.
Carving out their own little corner not only in the old Lancashire borough but a small pocket in the UK’s wider grime, drill, rap and hip-hop scene, they’ve only gotten bigger over the last 18 months or so.
After releasing their first two tracks back in 2024, Callum and Danny have been on a very gradual rise, but they quickly gained a cult local following in and around Oldham.
Writing about life and around the area, with high personal and anecdotal lyrics that feel like niche references and in-jokes specifically for‘Roughyed’ residents – it’s not just music by them but FOR them.
In addition to recording their own unique cover of ‘Bad Habits’ by Ed Sheeran, they also went fairly viral for releasing a music video featuring crowds of local children.
Putting their own chant-based chorus slant on ‘Hi Ho, Hi Ho, “It’s off to Work We Go”‘, written by Mitch Miller and The Sandpipers (yes, as in the main theme from Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs), it was a fairly radio-friendly tune that was easy for kids and more to sing along with.
With various other natives getting involved in the music video, joining them on the town centre streets and lip-syncing the lyrics, it was circulated online all over Britain and beyond.
You can watch it in full down below.
Fast forward to February 2026, and not only have they grown their following across the region, but even further afield now, as it turns out; currently sitting ahead of ‘Opalite’ from worldwide smash-hit album, The Life of a Showgirl, who needs big label backing, eh?
Bringing smiles to even more Greater Mancs by quite literally shining the spotlight on ‘Familiar Faces’ and punters from nearby pubs such as The Up Stepps Inn and former nightclub Sruples, it is a real tribute to their homeland.
Only time will tell how long they’ll cling to that iTunes top spot, but with nearly 73,000 monthly listeners on Spotify and counting, they might be one of the biggest music names to come out of OL in some time.
In other big news over in Oldham, on the sporting side of things, RLFC are staring down yet more uncertainty, with local hero Bill Quinn also wrapping up his time at the club.
Emily Sergeant -
6th November 2023 
