Well, Cher and Barry from EastEnders duetting on I Got You Babe wasn’t on our bingo cards for 2024.
The pop icon has teamed up with UKTV on a brand new advert to promote the upcoming launch of its new streaming service U, and she’s really thrown herself into the fun.
The new commercial starts with a couple of executives pitching the ad to the 78-year-old pop star, explaining: ‘Cher, may we present the entertainment launch of the year, U. And we want you to help us share the news!’
‘Stop,’ she says with enthusiasm. ‘I can see it now.’
What follows is a bizarre tour de force with Cher singing karaoke with Barry (Shaun Williamson) in the Queen Vic, presenting a U-shaped cake to the MasterChef Australia judges, and hitching a ride in Sons of Anarchy.
She even encounters Hollywood star Orlando Bloom on top of a rock in a teaser for the UK premiere of his series Orlando Bloom: To The Edge.
Elsewhere, she drives with Chris Kamara and Jeff Stelling in a teaser for World’s Most Dangerous Roads, as well as joining Secrets of The Underground, Annika and more.
Jimmy Carr also makes an appearance in the strange but utterly wonderful crossover, promoting his show Battle in the Box.
UKTV’s creative director Scott Russell was understandably delighted to land Cher for the ad, especially with her singing ‘a brand new version’ of one of her biggest hits.
He commented: ‘We wanted to create an ambitious advert to launch U to highlight the variety of quality programming and to stand out in a hugely competitive landscape.
‘It had to be joyful, have content at its heart, and to tell the story of whatever you love, we’ve got U. What’s more, it needed to be memorable and have a surprise factor that was not only authentic but connected with current and new viewers.
‘Who better to do this than mega superstar, Cher, performing a brand new version of her iconic song, I’ve Got You Babe, whilst meeting some new and familiar friends on the way?’
The advert can be seen on UKTV’s beloved social and linear channels including U&Dave, U&DRAMA, U&YESTERDAY and U&W from today.
It is also being supported by UKTV’s biggest ever media spend on ITV, Channel 4 and Sky, as well as YouTube, Facebook and TikTok.
Find out how to stream U here.
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