Kylie Minogue’s new advert promoting Australia to British tourists who want to escape Brexit has divided opinion, with many criticising its timing as the country is being ravaged by bushfires.
The singer, 51, transformed into her iconic Neighbours character Charlene Robinson as she delivered a Christmas message to the UK and encouraged Brits to head Down Under on holiday.
She joined forces with fellow famous Aussies including comedian Adam Hills, cricketer Shane Warne and swimmer Ian Thorpe to deliver the musical message titled Matesong, as part of Tourism Australia’s latest campaign.
Kylie Minogue’s new advert promoting Australia to British tourists who want to escape Brexit has divided opinion
The singer posed in front of Uluru in the Tourism Australia advert which was broadcast on ITV before the Queen’s Christmas Message yesterday
But the advert has had a mixed response online, and has been slammed for promoting Australia after nearly 1,000 homes have been destroyed by fires.
The fires have destroyed more than 9.1million acres across five states and at least six people have died in New South Wales and two in South Australia during the national emergency.
One viewer wrote on Twitter: ‘Bad timing. Very. Bad. Timing. Australia is on fire, in drought, extreme heatwaves.
‘And if the main Aussie stars of this ad (Kylie Minogue & Adam Hills) love Australia so much – why do they live in the UK?’
Others agreed, saying the advert, which aired on Christmas Day, was ill-advised at a time when many Australians are suffering.
Charlene? Kylie Minogue transformed into her iconic Neighbours character Charlene Robinson as she delivered a Christmas message to the UK and encouraged Brits to head Down Under on holiday
The song makes a number of references to Brexit, suggesting Brits might want to escape the political turmoil.
Among the lyrics are: ‘Negotiating tricky trade deals is a shocker, but look there’s a quokka! And that’s what you need.’
Kylie later sings: ‘This year’s been tough and confusing, but progress is moving … At glacial pace.
‘But all of Australia loves you, and we’ll never judge you.’
The career retrospective continued with Kylie recreating her sultry music video for 2003 number one single, Slow, which saw her lay on a towel in a plunging swimsuit
But others disagreed and praised the catchy musical number, saying they hope Britain can strengthen its relationship with Australia post-Brexit.
Kylie said: ‘The recreation of Charlene is one that I didn’t see coming! It was totally surreal and when I walked on set with the curls, the overalls and that scrunchie, it was like having an out of body experience. Charlene was back!
‘Any Brits who are old enough to remember Charlene will hopefully love it.
‘The film is full of little jokes, and those self-deprecating moments, alongside the competitive rivalry references and banter that really defines the loving relationship Australia has with the UK.’
The video opens with Kylie dressed up as the Queen in her living room at Sandringham, before revealing she is actually in Melbourne suburb, Sandringham.
Hard at it: The Spinning Around songstress donned mechanic Charlene’s trademark overalls and baggy sweatshirts, paired with her 80s perm to recreate the iconic character at work in the garage
The advert has had a mixed response online, and has been slammed for promoting Australia after nearly 1,000 homes have been destroyed by fires.
Looking back: Kylie showed off her incredible figure in a mesh jumpsuit and hat
Adam Hills then enters the shot before Kylie shows off her sensational figure in a scarlet swimsuit and reclines on an idyllic beach in Melbourne.
World number one tennis player Ash Barty is then seen playing at the Rod Laver arena, before clips of Aussie Rules football and cricket play.
Kylie then dons a traditional Akubra hat as she stares at a majestic Uluru with friends.
The star slips back into her famous hotpants and shows off her legs as she attends a cricket match, before posing up with some koalas.
Legendary: Kylie also visited legendary Australia sights Uluru in the Northern Territory and Rottnest Island in Western Australia
The star slips back into her famous hotpants and shows off her legs as she attends a cricket match, before posing up with some koalas
So sweet: Kylie playfully posed with a Quokka in an adorable selfie
Pulling pints: Kylie pictured in an 80s-inspired ensemble pulling pints in a pub during the promotional video
Kylie said: ‘Filming across Australia was literally a dream come true. I’ve had the opportunity to see parts of the country I haven’t seen before, as well as to go home and revisit places that I know are beautiful.
‘This was my first-time visiting Uluru, and it’s as overwhelming, epic and inspiring as I imagined and dreamt it would be.
‘From the moment you fly in and get a first glimpse of the rock, it is magnificent. I had a very powerful and beautiful moment on the first day of filming, staring up at the rock with two of the local Indigenous Elders, Reggie and Cassidy. I simply cannot wait to go back there.
‘Rottnest Island was another magical place. We arrived via helicopter over the most crystal clear and pristine waters.’
Dreaming: Kylie said, ‘Filming across Australia was literally a dream come true. I’ve had the opportunity to see parts of the country I haven’t seen before’
Work it: Kylie pictured performing during the fun promotional video
Hilarious: ‘The film is full of little jokes, and those self-deprecating moments, alongside the competitive rivalry references and banter that really defines the loving relationship Australia has with the UK’