It is well-known that Watford has become a hub for TV and movies filming in the UK, but some adverts have unexpected local connections.

These locations in and around Watford might have popped up in the commercial break without locals realising it, or might be soon to appear on their screens.

This list rounds up five we have covered recently.

Asda’s Elf Christmas

Watford Observer: Buddy the elf in ASDA.Buddy the elf in ASDA. (Image: Asda/ Warner Bros.)

Last year’s ASDA Christmas advert went viral on social media but only people familiar with North Watford would have noticed a particular thing about the exterior shots.

ASDA has confirmed that parts of the ad were filmed at the St Albans Road store.

Under license from Warner Bros. Discovery Global Consumer Products, the ad used footage and iconic lines from festive favourite film Elf to bring the character to the Watford supermarket.

Tesco’s Trolley controversy

If you watch Tesco Mobile’s 40 second “spend less with us advert” filmed partly at Watford’s Church Street Car Park you would struggle to see why it sparked controversy.

However, it turned out that, in 1999, artist Richard DeDomenici filmed a trolley being pushed down the exact same multi-storey-car-park for a student film called Tall Storeys.

A Tesco Mobile spokesperson said: “The TV ad follows the helpful Tesco Mobile trolley, as it travels downhill on a mission to help those in need.

“The Tesco Mobile team worked on this concept in collaboration with our creative agency and were not aware of this film when we created our advert.”

Cadbury’s tale with a twist

Titled Garage, this Cadbury advert might be the one that has been on screens the most regularly since it premiered.

Eagle-eyed Watford Observer readers spotted that it was filmed at the Hempstead Road Texaco in Kings Langley, which was confirmed by the company.

BBC’s football call

On September 21 and September 22, this year, the BBC used the Metropolitan Bushey, in Aldenham Road, as a location to film an advert.

It also called for locals with amateur football experience willing to be paid extras. It is not known when the ad will premier so locals will have to keep an eye out.

Walkers’ upcoming treat

Watford Observer: Walkers advert filming.Walkers advert filming. (Image: Watford Town Centre BID)

Another one to look out for, crisps company Walkers filmed a Christmas advert in The Parade on October 18, according to Watford Town Centre BID.

Christmas came early to the area as it was decked out with some festive lights for filming.