Our ad is a very different version of the classic fairy tale, The Ugly Duckling. It’s different because it tells the story backwards. We start with a beautiful swan and watch things…well, you’ll see. It’s all to show that when things go backwards (like when you reverse a car) there isn’t always a happy ending. Which is exactly why the Vauxhall Astra has a reverse camera as standard…Vauxhall Astra has a reverse camera as standard…

The campaign was aired in the UK to coincide with ‘Panto Season’ – a part of the year when traditional fairy tales are performed in theatres in ‘pantomimes’. They’re typically overblown, colourful, flamboyant versions of well-known stories that often play with storylines and structure – which is why we’ve taken the same approach in our ads.

MVO This is the story of a beautiful swan, who lived on a lake with a lot of other beautiful swans.

SFX (A posh voice says, ‘Darling, you look gorgeous.’)

MVO One day, they all flew away, leaving the beautiful swan alone to mope about a bit before he noticed his reflection in the water and realised he was actually a very ugly duckling.

SFX (We hear a shriek of horror. The duckling says, 'I'm hideous.')

MVO Then the other ducks, animals and assorted wildfowl abused him about his looks mercilessly…

SFX (A cruel voice says, ‘Ha ha! Rubbish beak!’)

MVO …then he turned into an egg.

SFX (A sad ‘pop’ sound.)

MVO Things can end badly backwards. That’s why the Vauxhall Astra Ultimate comes with reverse camera as standard.

Vauxhall. British brand since 1903.