Brace yourself. Paddy Power have unleashed an American Beauty of a TV ad.
Bringing a never before told love story to our screens, the blockbuster sees former England footballer Peter Crouch appear naked in a bath, hump a corner flag, and help ex World Cup referee Mark Clattenburg soar like Baby in Dirty Dancing.
The hilarious ad, which leans into movie nostalgia by the bucketload, see the two legends collide unexpectedly (and literally), uniting in perfect harmony to excite fans who ‘Love Football. Intimately.’ ahead of the Premier League start of season.
Crouchy appears as you’ve never seen him before, unless you’re his model wife Abbey Clancy, who also features.
While famed World Cup heartthrob ref Clattenburg co-stars as the catalyst for the true object of his affections – those unsung joy-making, and sometimes heart-breaking moments that occur throughout the 90-minutes of a match.
Paddy Power uses the ad to celebrate the unheralded incidents that brings football fans to their knees or has them crying out in ecstasy.
Sitting in the pub and triggered by a red card, Crouchy is swept away into a football fantasy that takes him into a true cinematic spectacle with the Geordie ref.
Once there, we see Crouch languishing a bubble bath scattered with red cards on a candle lit halfway line as he gazes suggestively down the lens.
Submerged in a tub of bubbles, a la American Beauty, he confesses he loves it when Mark “sends [players] for an early bath.”
He then moves his attentions to the corner flag, demonstrating moves that would make Channing Tatum blush, admitting he loves it when Clattenburg lets “the corner flag take centre stage.”
Protagonist Clattenburg - sporting a “Sweet FA” referee kit - stares seductively down the lens as he suggestively sprays some vanishing free kick spray as Peter admires the way the World Cup final referee takes control…followed by some further bubble action courtesy of Crouch.
After 40-odd seconds rammed with all of the sharp-witted easter eggs we’ve come to expect from Paddy Power, the pair are finally united as the ad reaches its crescendo, as they recreate the iconic lift from Dirty Dancing, and Clattenburg soars effortlessly above the head of Crouch…all 6ft 7” of him.
Speaking about his role, which sees him lust after the best bits of football, Crouch said:
“I’ve gotten up close and personal with plenty of refs in my time, but never quite as intimately as this.
“The fun me and Clatts had making this ad could only be rivaled by moshing to Kasabian with Sean Dyche at the Isle of Wight festival.
“I’ve got nothing but admiration for him and his colleagues…but mostly Clatts after he nailed that Dirty Dancing lift on the first take.”
Mark Clattenburg added:
“It was certainly an eye-opening experience to work this closely with Crouchy.
“I never expected to see him lying naked in a tub of my old red cards, or using my magic foam to maintain his decency. And while that’s scene I won’t forget anytime soon, it might not make the tattoo sleeve for now!”
Paddy Power, spokesman for the betting firm explained:
“This is a nostalgic romcom-tastic tale of passion, fantasy and our unwavering true love for all parts of football – if Harry Met Sally at a Spurs match.”
“Witnessing Peter Crouch pole dance with a corner flag, take a dip (instead of a dive) midfield, and seeing Clattenburg soar like a Strictly contestant is TV gold.
“Who knew a footballer and a ref could strike such a beautiful balance? We expected someone to get nutted and a red card to feature.”
The campaign, created in association with Droga5 London, aims to promote Paddy Power’s Bet Builder offering, which allows fans to bet on multiple markets such as cards, shots and corners.
The new Paddy Power Love Football. Intimately. Will air on UK TV on the evening of Saturday 20th August.
Punters can get a free £5 bet builder to place on Manchester United vs Liverpool this Monday 22nd August with Paddy Power.
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