Marks and Spencer launches Christmas advertisement starring James Norton

Marks and Spencer has released a lively Christmas advertisement starring James Norton and Lucy Punch as a youthful Mr and Mrs Claus, the Guardian reported. The campaign features James Norton as a topless Santa Claus. The Guardian noted that the new commercial sets up a festive advertising rival with department store John Lewis. [1]

The John Lewis festive commercial stars Dame Kristin Scott Thomas as a grandmother struggling to connect with her grandchildren, according to the Daily Mail. In the advert, the grandchildren turn their noses up at a wooden dog toy named Pickles and shake their cards in disappointment when no money falls out. As FTMQ News reported earlier, Kristin Scott Thomas stars as grandmother Gloria alongside the toy dog Pickles, which is voiced by Paul Whitehouse. [2][3][12]

The John Lewis advertisement has drawn criticism from reviewers and commentators. The Daily Mail reported that critics accused the retailer of rewarding bad behaviour, promoting materialism, and featuring spoiled grandchildren whose affection must be bought with expensive presents. Broadcaster Vanessa Feltz criticized the campaign as abhorrent and stated that it missed the spirit of the festivity, according to the Daily Mail. [2][3]

John Lewis has defended its campaign against the backlash. The Daily Mail reported that a spokesperson for the department store insisted that the commercial conveys the true spirit of Christmas. [2]