Hampshire film fan wins amazing Elf-inspired home makeover after winning Sky Cinema contest

Courtney Chanel, from Portchester, beat hundreds of film buffs across the country in a competition set up to find the biggest fan of the Will Ferrell family classic Elf.

Her prize, awarded by Sky Cinema, was to have her home transformed into a winter wonderland, complete with a candy cane forest and more than 10,000 enchanting fairy lights.

The festive scene also includes a sprinkling of snow and some familiar faces from the film, including the North Pole narwhal.

To win the competition the 22-year-old had to recreate iconic moments from the film, including Buddy – played by Ferrell – having difficulties on an escalator, and his culinary classic of spaghetti and syrup.

Courtney said: ‘My family and I love the film Elf and anything Christmas related.

‘When I saw Sky Cinema were on the hunt for the UK’s biggest Elf fan and the prize was a Buddy-tastic home makeover, I just knew I had to enter.

‘There are tonnes of iconic moments from the film which I had so much fun recreating for my entry, even if it meant getting a few inquisitive looks from people in town while dressed as Buddy the Elf.

‘The makeover looks incredible and better than anything me or my family could have expected. When I stepped out of the house – I couldn’t believe it was our front garden. I felt like I was transported to a Christmas Candy Cane forest.’

The former University of Chichester student created a video of the film highlights by visiting local shopping centres including Gunwharf Quays and Fareham Shopping Centre.

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The contest also helped give Courtney put her musical theatre studies into practice, after having to stop acting during the coronavirus pandemic.

Jason Manford, who judged the competition, said: ‘With people spending so much time indoors this year, it’s not surprising a change of scenery is so welcome – bigger, better and earlier than ever.

‘It seems many Brits are using Christmas as an excuse to top up the cheer that’s been sadly missing from much of 2020. I’m thrilled we could join in by giving the UK's biggest Elf fan a Buddy-tastic Christmas home makeover.’

A message from the Editor, Mark Waldron

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