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Marcus Rashford makes a surprise cameo in Aldi’s Christmas advert starring Kevin the Carrot

Photo credit: Aldi
Photo credit: Aldi

Aldi has revealed its full-length Christmas advert for 2021 that sees the return of Kevin the Carrot and family, and a surprise cameo from footballer Marcus Rashford - in the form of a radish.

The budget retailer released a teaser advert which introduced viewers to a new animated banana character known as Ebanana Scrooge, whose dreams were ruined after Father Christmas opted for a mince pie instead of him one Christmas Day.

With a Dickensian "A Christmas Carol" theme, the full advert now shows him as an older “rotten” banana who we watch knocking the heads off snowmen. Like Scrooge, Ebanana has become grumpy and bitter.

While sleeping, Ebanana is visited by the Spirit of Christmas (Kevin the Carrot in pyjamas and a white beard) who takes him on a journey to discover the true meaning of Christmas.

Photo credit: Aldi
Photo credit: Aldi

To the orchestral refrains of the classic Christmas song "Fairytale of New York", we watch Ebanana flying over rooftops, spotting a radish with the voice of Marcus Rashford
who “is always helping children”, and surveying the delights of a Christmas feast.

Eagle-eyed Great British Bake Off fans may also spot a cameo from the gingerbread family who feature in Aldi’s sponsored adverts prior to the hit baking show.

“Realising the sadness and misery he’d brought, gave Ebanana more food for thought”, says the narrator.

In the next scene, we see Ebanana on Christmas Day bursting into the home of Kevin the Carrot to wish them a merry Christmas and presenting them with a Christmas pudding - “for pudding up with me”.

Photo credit: Aldi
Photo credit: Aldi

The story closes with the words: “The moral of the story? The answer you’ll find/For you to be happy/You must be kind.”

Putting their money where their mouth is, Aldi has also launched a festive campaign to donate 1.8 million meals to families who need help across the UK over the Christmas period.

The supermarket has partnered with Neighbourly, a platform that links businesses to charities and other good causes in local communities, to donate surplus food to families in need this festive period.

Manchester United player, Marcus Rashford, has spoken openly about the financial struggles faced by his family growing up.

Photo credit: WPA Pool - Getty Images
Photo credit: WPA Pool - Getty Images

The campaigner, who was awarded an MBE earlier this week for his campaigning efforts to increase support for children living in poverty, said: “As a family, we relied on the local food bank to get our Christmas dinner.

“To this day, I remember queuing outside that building with mum; mum feeling embarrassed that she might be recognised. It is with that in mind that I’m delighted to lend my support to the Aldi campaign.

“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.”

Sean McGinty, marketing director at Aldi UK, said: “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.”

The full video is now available to view on YouTube and will make its TV premiere tonight (11 November) at 7.15pm.

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