The world’s first TV advert spoken in Cornish will be aired across the UK from Monday, May 23.

Developed for Kelly’s of Cornwall ice cream and its new parlour-inspired range, the 30 second spot features a cheeky Cornish chap standing in a lush green field over-looking the sea, surrounded by cows. 

He is speaking the historical Kernewek language as he shows off the new range and the variety of flavours. 

The Parlour advert, which is driving the hashtag #speakcornish will run across TV channels including ITV, Channel 4, and will be supported with a significant social media campaign.

The advert has specifically been created for Kelly’s to celebrate over 100 years of Cornish heritage; Kelly’s ice cream is made in Cornwall using Cornish milk and Cornish cream and is the only genuine Cornish ice cream available nationwide.

The advert will raise awareness of the language at a time when government funding to support the teaching of Cornish has just been cut. 

A petition with over 6,000 signatures is already in place, asking the government to reinstate the funding.

The Cornish Language Partnership who has supported the advert, has also helped Kelly’s with the development of a ‘tongue in cheek’ Cornish ice cream phrasebook that will be available for holiday makers from Kelly’s parlours across Cornwall. The phrasebook can also be downloaded from www.kellysofcornwall.co.uk.   

Mark Trevethan from The Cornish Language Partnership, said: "We were really pleased to be asked to work with Kelly’s on these projects. Although they’re fun and entertaining, there’s also a serious point being made about the important role of language in celebrating culture and heritage. We’re looking forward to hearing Cornish spoken on national television in an advert for the first time, thanks to Kelly’s."

Charlotte Hambling, UK head of marketing at R&R Ice Cream UK Ltd, said: “This new Cornish speaking advert shows off our fantastic new ice cream range, with a strong link to its heritage, whilst also supporting the movement to speak Cornish.  We hope our cheeky Cornish chap will make people smile whilst also driving home a more serious message.”