VIDEO: Bring back Nicole from the Renault Clio ads
We track down star of classic TV ads
NICOLE?
Oui, c’est moi!
Or, in English . . .
Nicole?
Yes, it’s me!
The Sun has tracked down Nicole 25 YEARS after the first “Nicole? Papa!” Renault Clio ads. And she wants her old job back.
Nicole — French actress Estelle Skornik — told The Sun: “Please pass on the message. I would love to go back and revisit the adverts. To continue. To adapt the idea with the following generation.
“Before, I said ‘Papa!’ and now maybe a daughter can tell me ‘Mama!’”
For anyone under 30, perhaps I should explain in a bit more detail.
Nicole became a national obsession in the 1990s, starring in eight iconic adverts that followed the life — and loves — of a French girl from Provence.
Of course she drove a Renault Clio and sales of the new supermini rocketed.
Nicole was recognised by more Brits than PM John Major in one 1996 survey.
And the final advert, Nicole’s wedding — also featuring Vic Reeves and Bob Mortimer — was seen by 23MILLION VIEWERS in May 1998.
Only a million more watched Wills and Kate tie the knot in 2011.
But what happened to the actress after that? Where is she now?
In real life, Estelle got married in 2000, starred alongside Johnny Depp in 2001 film From Hell, then took a career break to start a family.
Today, the mum of three lives in a Paris suburb, drives an Espace and has just filmed a guest role on the French TV version of CSI.
Here Estelle gives her verdict on:
’90s FAME
“It was exceptional what happened, something magic. I keep in my heart the nostalgia and the affection because it was a very nice moment in my life.
“I am sure English people would be very happy if another story came back.”
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Damn right. Sign my petition, right, and I’ll hand it to the boss of Renault UK.
THE CLIO
“Let me tell you a story that is big in my heart. I offered my Papa, my father, a black Clio as a gift. He kept it for 20 years and then left it to me when he died. I kept it for a while but it became too old and frail and I had to let it go.
“It was very difficult to separate myself from the car because of the memories of my father and from the adverts.”
THE 2016 CLIO
“I like it. I like the design, it’s easy, small, very comfortable. With three children, we need an Espace but if I bought a small car, it would be a Clio.”
ON ENGLAND
“I love to visit London. It’s a beautiful city. I was there with my family last summer. And it’s not far. It’s easy to visit on the train.”
ON ENGLISH MEN
“They are gentlemen. Very polite. A lot of class. Dark, handsome, blue eyes . . . ”
Any chance of a date then?
She just laughs. I think that means “Non”.
MY VERDICT: Now I might be mixing perfume and cars here but j’adore, Nicole. All my mates do. Bring her back, Renault.
BRING BACK NICOLE
- Visit
- Tweet #BringBackNicole
- Or print, cut out and post the form below
Key facts: 1991 CLIO (bottom right)
- Price: £8,280
- Economy: 46mpg
- 0-62mph: 15.2 secs
- Top speed: 97mph
Key facts: 2016 CLIO (bottom left)
- Price: £14,675
- Economy: 61mpg
- 0-62mph: 12.2 secs
- Top speed: 113mph
