May 11 – Wallace and Gromit, created by Bristol-based Aardman Animations, are recreating Diego Maradona’s “hand of God” goal in an advert designed to back England’s bid to host the 2018 World Cup.
The Npower commercial plays on Maradona’s famous controversial goal which helped Argentina knock England out of the 1986 World Cup in Mexico.
Called the “Hand of Dog”, the advert marks the utilities company’s role as an official supporter of the bid.
Wallace and Gromit are shown trying to profit from the tournament in England through their pie-making business WAG’s Pies Ltd.
But when Wallace’s latest invention – a pie-delivery machine – shoots a pie into the air and threatens a game, his faithful dog Gromit sprints through the stands and on to the pitch.
As he flies through the air and catches hold of the pie, his other paw accidentally makes contact with the football and sends it into the goal.
The TV advert, created by the agency VCCP and Aardman Animations, ends with the pair reading an article on the front page of their local newspaper with the headline “Hand of Dog”.
It will be screened for the first time tomorrow (May 12).
Kevin Peake, marketing director at Npower, said: “We believe a successful bid to stage the FIFA World Cup in England would be fantastic for the country and particularly for Britain’s businesses.”
Terry Butcher, who was in the England side for the 1986 World Cup, said: “The new advert’s ‘Hand of Dog’ scene is a great take on what was one of the most heartbreaking moments in my career and in England’s football history.
“But we’ve moved on and Npower has shown with Gromit that we Brits do have a sense of humour.”
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