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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Beloved local actor David Threlfall is returning to Manchester theatre after nearly three decades as King Lear
Danny Jones
Much-loved local actor David Threlfall is set to return to the Manchester theatre circuit after nearly three whole decades as he prepares to play King Lear at the Royal Exchange.
That’s right: Frank Gallagher himself is about to be one of Shakespeare’s most iconic characters in one of his most legendary plays.
Returning to the very same stage on which his career first began budding after 27 years since last treading the boards, the Shameless, Nowhere Boy and Hot Fuzz star will be donning the titular role in arguably the greatest tragedy of all time at the Manchester city centre theatre this coming autumn.
First announced last month, we’ve finally learned more about this significant comeback and can barely contain our excitement.
The seasoned thespian who is best known for playing UK TV’s well-known and perpetually drunk Northern dad, not to mention embodying fellow British performer Tommy Cooper, has plenty of roots in playhouses, but it’s fair to say he’s been gone from Greater Manchester for a hot minute.
Set to lead the cast in the new adaptation by writer and director Matthew Dunster, himself a local Lancashire lad schooled in Chadderton, this feels like a proper homegrown production.
For anyone who’s never really experienced the historic tale by ‘Old Bill, the Bard of Avon’, to put it in the Royal Exchange’s words, it “charts a kingdom where power corrupts, families become enemies and prosperity devolves into war.
“At its centre is the mind of a man who can no longer understand what it means to be human. Lear is a searing portrait of a king unable to distinguish truth from lies. As the storm rises and night falls, language, identity and meaning break down completely.”
To be fair, you could argue there are some similarities between him and the Gallagher patriarch; he’ll also be in the middle of this run when he turns 73 – meaning it’ll be even longer since he last played the Royal Exchange Theatre (RET) in his mid-40s.
As for this version by Dunster, who himself is returning to the RET once again also – for his sixth different stint, no less – his talented cast includes the likes of Isobel Akuwudike, Ed Coleman, Lisa Diveney, Rupert Hill, Johnathan Slinger and more.
It’s also worth noting that Threlfall has featured in a Lear retelling in the past.
Way back in 1983, he played Edgar in the small-screen movie made right here in 0161 by Granada Television, where he acted alongside HUGE names such as John Hurt, Diana Rigg, Robert Lindsay, as well as the late, great TV, movie and all-around acting star, Laurence Olivier.
Born in Crumpsall, raised in Burnage, and made at the REC and various other theatres across the country, this feels like a momentous homecoming for the ever-familiar Manc face.
With shows booked from Friday, 2 October until Sunday, 15 November, and tickets priced at just £12 for standard seats, you can secure yours right HERE. It’s also worth noting that this isn’t the only Shakespearean adaptation coming to the region later this year, either…
Featured Images — Channel 4/The Manc Group/Publicity picture via Royal Exchange Theatre)
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Manchester has been named one of the ‘friendliest’ cities in the UK
Emily Sergeant
A new study has crowned Manchester as one of the ‘friendliest’ cities in the UK.
With reviews playing a huge part in the success of small businesses – especially in the hospitality and tourism sector – business insurance expert MoneySuperMarket has analysed more than 100,000 reviews of customer-facing businesses in over 100 cities worldwide to discover where the UK’s ‘friendliest’ places are.
Their new research reveals which cities nationwide attract the highest number of reviews that particularly highlight friendly staff and excellent customer service in their venues and attractions.
For each city, the reviews were analysed for mentions of friendly staff and excellent service.
Cities were then ranked by the percentage of reviews containing these markers – with the highest percentage earning the top spot for friendly customer service.
Manchester came in at a very respectable ninth place in the whole of the UK, with just over 50% of reviews mentioning friendly staff and service.
Other northern cities in the top 10 include Leeds at number six and Liverpool at number two, while looking at the global rankings, the UK dominates for friendliness – with four cities making the top 10, more than any other country in the world.
According to MoneySupermarket, the even spread of cities across the UK suggests that excelling in customer service is a national trait, rather than a local one.
Emily Sergeant -
6th November 2023 
