Kylie Minogue woos Britons in post-Brexit tourism campaign for Australia

Kylie Minogue has led an all-star cast in Australia's latest tourism campaign, which alludes to Brexit as it aims to persuade British tourists to escape to the easy-going land Down Under.

Aired on ITV before the Queen's Speech, the video opens with the Australian pop star looking regal before showing off Sandringham Beach in Victoria.

Kicking off with a reference to Brexit, the commercial, called Matesong, opens with the lyrics "This year's been tough and confusing, but progress is moving … well at a glacial pace".  It later says "negotiating tricky trade deals is a shocker".

Minogue dons the mechanics overalls famously worn by her Neighbours character as she briefly reprises the role for the $15 million tourism campaign.

The singer, 51, who rose to fame as Charlene Robinson in the soap from 1986 to 1988, rolls out from under a car in character as part of the video filmed for Tourism Australia.

The nearly three-minute video also features other famous Australians including comedian Adam Hills, cricketer Shane Warne, world tennis number one Ashleigh Barty and Olympic swimmer Ian Thorpe.

As well as showing off the best of Australia, it also highlights the friendly rivalry between the two countries.

Warne tells the Brits to "get ready to lose" at backyard cricket, while other digs include "We know you think you're above us" and "you just repress emotions".

Another set of famous faces in the video, which has lyrics written by Eddie Perfect, are twins Zac and Jordan Stenmark who rose to fame in the modelling world and whose credits include campaigns for Abercrombie and Fitch, Ralph Lauren and Calvin Klein.

Also featured is UK-born chef Darren Robertson, who lives Down Under and is co-owner of Australia-based restaurant, Three Blue Ducks, as well as the Aboriginal Comedy Allstars.

The advert was well-received in Britain, though social media users did note the shots of clear blue skies were in stark contrast to the recent pictures of bushfires and Sydney shrouded in smoke.

Minogue, who was born in Melbourne, but has also called London her home in recent years, said filming Matesong was "a dream come true".

She said: "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.

"I'm such a proud Australian that I've spent most of my life travelling around the world sharing my stories of Australia with anyone who would listen, so I kind of feel like a walking tourism advert for Australia already."

While koala bears feature in the video, another member of the marsupial family, the quokka, also makes a star appearance.

The furry animals, which are found predominantly on Rottnest Island off the west coast near Perth, have become a tourist favourite as people flock to take selfies with them.

Phillipa Harrison, managing director of Tourism Australia, said: "The Queen's annual Christmas speech is a key cultural moment in the UK, with millions tuning in to watch on television and many more online.

"We also know that January in the northern hemisphere winter is a time when many Brits are thinking about an overseas holiday, providing the perfect opportunity to engage with a captive audience and remind them why they should make that next trip Australia.

"And who better to deliver the message than Kylie Minogue? She embodies so much of what we want to share with the world - our warm, fun and friendly personality.

"Not only does she have a deep and authentic connection with Australia, but she is a much loved and recognised icon in the UK as well".