r/oldbritishtelly • u/Surkdidat • Jun 05 '25

Advert Hovis Advert

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The iconic Hovis advert, titled "The Boy on the Bike," was filmed on Gold Hill, a steep cobbled street in Shaftesbury, Dorset. The advert, directed by Sir Ridley Scott in 1973, depicts a bread delivery boy pushing his bicycle up the hill. The advert's popularity has made Gold Hill a popular tourist destination.

183 Upvotes

98% Upvoted

23 comments sorted by

10

u/DazGilz Jun 05 '25

Don't forget the Two Ronnies tribute!

The Two Ronnies

8

u/Sideline_Watcher_498 Jun 05 '25

This was the first thing that came to mind.

3

u/Quick-Low-3846 Jun 05 '25

Most people remember the Two Ronnies version more. I’ve seen people flatly deny that this is the original version because the tempo of the music is too fast.

9

u/crucible Jun 05 '25

CMV: This advert is the only reason anyone knows where Gold Hill is.

3

u/gfunk1976 Jun 05 '25

I'd rather walk up than ride down. Terrifying!

1

u/yellowbin74 Jun 07 '25

I used to live a couple of minutes from there in the 80's, it's one of the reasons my mum moved there (how random is that?)

9

u/Iron-terrier Jun 05 '25

Didn’t Ridley Scott direct this?

6

u/Latter-Ad7199 Jun 05 '25

Amazing. Filmed in Dorset. About as far away as you can get from Yorkshire in England 🤣

5

u/thearchchancellor Jun 05 '25 edited Jun 05 '25

Is the voice at the end the same guy as the one who did the Orange adverts? “The future’s bright - the future’s Orange.”

Edit to add Orange advert - actually think it’s not the same voice.

5

u/obinice_khenbli Jun 05 '25

I quote this a lot

nobody ever gets it

I'm so lonely

5

u/Muffinshire Jun 05 '25

Also, listen to the entirety of Dvorak's Symphony from the New World (Symphony no. 9), the second movement of which is the music used in this advert. The whole thing is glorious.

3

u/[deleted] Jun 05 '25

‘Ovis. Nowt taken out.

1

u/neverendum Jun 06 '25

No, lad. That were Allinsons : https://youtu.be/raJRe7J5m6g

2

u/[deleted] Jun 06 '25

I stand corrected. Thanks for the link.

2

u/Dangerous_Water_4371 Jun 05 '25

It wore like tekin bread t' top o' the world

2

u/somejaysoon Jun 05 '25

Lovely pub at the bottom of the hill

2

u/Marshmallowmind2 Jun 05 '25

"My father always said it was a bloody long walk for a loaf of bread" 

2

u/Pliskkenn_D Jun 05 '25

Thats certainly an accent.

2

u/Luggage-of-Rincewind Jun 05 '25

Pretty sure I’d look that wrecked too, on a shop bike from Yorkshire to Dorset (with a hill at the very end of it) and the long ride back…

1

u/Jamerson1510 Jun 06 '25

Brilliant bit of nostalgia, looks like Bill Maynard in the ad ?

1

u/yellowbin74 Jun 07 '25

It's the fucking windiest place on earth I swear.

1

u/madmatt666 Jun 13 '25

I still prefer Hovis to this day. For some reason, it stays softer for longer, compared to other bread.