// Asda has used original footage of movie Elf to make Will Ferrell’s Buddy the star of its Christmas advert

// Buddy is on a trial shift working for Asda and causes chaos on its shopfloor

Asda’s Christmas advert stars Will Ferrell’s Buddy The Elf, who becomes the supermarket’s newest employee.

The grocer uses original footage from 2003 film Elf along with some camera trickery to create the ad, entitled ‘Have your Elf a Merry Christmas’.

Buddy inadvertently joins the Asda team on a trial shift, and samples some of the festive goodies at the store.

The ad opens with an homage of Elf’s iconic ‘street crossing’ scene, but the New York City cab is swapped for a train of Asda trolleys.

Like in the movie, Buddy sings loudly over the Asda tannoy, stays back to decorate the shop floor in Christmas decorations, and generally causes chaos.

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The ad was created by Havas London and premieres on ITV1 tonight during Coronation Street.

Asda acting chief customer officer Sam Dickson said: “Like Buddy, we absolutely love Christmas – so we’re thrilled to welcome him to our team.

“We know this has been a tough year for so many people, which is why we want to create some little moments of joy for families this year with our Christmas campaign, and more importantly, our amazing products.

“We hope that with a little bit of help from Buddy, our joy-filled Christmas offering will create some festive magic and helps give families a Christmas to remember together.”

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