KFC unveils first female Colonel Sanders played by country legend Reba McEntire

Is it really a feminist move though?

KFC has launched its first female Colonel Sanders.

The chicken chain has revealed a selection of new adverts featuring country singer Reba McEntire as the iconic Colonel Sanders.

However rather than simply make Colonel Sanders a woman, they’ve made McEntire dress up as a man, complete with beard and moustache.

While many people are praising the fast food chain for “shattering the grease-soaked napkin ceiling,” others ask why the new colonel has to be a woman pretending to be a man, rather than just a woman.

Country star McEntire, who grew up in Oklahoma, says she was originally approached about the role in December.

“I said ‘Holy smokes!’,” McEntire told The Associated Press. “KFC has been a part of my life forever.”

The role of Colonel Sanders has been depicted by an array of famous faces in the past, but in the company’s 90 year history there’s never been a woman step into the famous white suit.

McEntire also appears in the ad as herself

The original Colonel Harland Sanders died 36 years ago. He first started selling fried chicken from one restaurant in 1940. There are now 18,875 branches of KFC across the world.

Colonel Sanders disappeared from adverts for nearly 20 years but was brought back in 2015, when saw the role being played by a host of famous men including Rob Lowe and Ray Liotta.

McEntire was chosen to launch KFC’s new Smoky Mountain BBQ.

“I’m Colonel Sanders, the same as always,” McEntire sings in the ad. “I’m definitely not a woman.”

Although some argue the decision isn't actually particularly feminist, others are praising the move.

What’s more, some of McEntire’s dedicated fans aren’t on board with her decision to take on the role.

But KFC’s new chief marketing officer Andrea Zahumensky believes the new Colonel will contribute to a new image of the brand: “I think this is going to be our most-loved Colonel yet,” she said.