M&S has reunited British icons Dawn French and Jennifer Saunders in this year's feel-good festive food ad. The Christmas campaign, launched today, features a series of eight different adverts, culminating in a New Year’s Eve special.
They all star the Christmas Fairy – voiced by French – who leaves her perch atop the Christmas tree, looking for a new “very special friend”. Set in a cosy home, Fairy heads straight for the family dog’s basket and brings to life a tattered, yet adorable, chew toy.
As Duckie (Saunders) finds her voice, she is then chased by dog Wylie, delighted to see his favourite toy awakened. Fairy works her magic and Duckie learns to fly out of his reach as they then soar over a Christmas table spread of M&S festive favourites.
French made her debut as Fairy in last year's M&S Christmas advert, where she starred alongside Spiderman actor Tom Holland who voiced Percy Pig. She saidL “I had the time of my life lending my voice to the Fairy that brought Percy Pig to life last year.
"I was so excited that M&S wanted to bring her back for more adventures and discover more of that AMAZING food. And this time with a trusty new sidekick!”
And Saunders said: “When the call came in asking me to be in the M&S Christmas ad, I didn’t have to think about it. And to bring the team back together for it? It was a Christmas MUST.”
Sharry Cramond, director of marketing and hospitality at M&S Food, said: "We couldn’t resist reuniting two British icons in Dawn French and Jennifer Saunders with the British icon that is M&S. It’s a match made in heaven as they lend their voices to the glamorous Fairy and adorable Duckie and it’s fantastic to have them on board.
"I predict Wylie the dog will go on to be a huge star!”
