Marks and Spencer has officially dropped their Christmas advert and people are loving it.
The ad features national treasure Percy Pig coming to life for the first time with Spiderman star Tom Holland voicing the iconic piglet. Actor Dawn French also stars in the ad as an ethereal Christmas fairy.
The 70-second film shows Percy Pig in motion for the first time since the pig first appeared on shelves 29 years ago. After being brought to life by French’s fairy, Percy excitedly squealed: “Christmas? I’ve never had a Christmas before.”
The boar and sprite flit between the aisles of the supermarket’s Stratford store in London admiring all of the Christmas food on the shelves.
Holland said he didn’t have to think for long before accepting the role, saying: “I’ve loved Percy Pigs for as long as I can remember.”
The 25-year-old added: “Getting the snort right was a challenge, but I hope I nailed it and you all like what you hear! I did consider asking for a lifetime supply of Percy Pigs but I figured I’ve got to save room for all of that amazing M&S Christmas food!”
Some took to Twitter to share their excitement by posting jokes and memes:
Tom Holland as the voice of Percy Pig in the new Marks & Spencer Christmas advert once again proves everything that happens in The Simpsons eventually becomes a reality. #SpiderPig pic.twitter.com/vXhEQS2dxO
— The Sting (@TSting18) November 4, 2021
who ever works for the M&S and does all the Percy Pig stuff needs a medal. How do you go from a bag of sweets to 100s of products in every department and Tom Holland doing the voice over. Percy Pig will be Prime Minister in the next 10 years like a little evil genius. pic.twitter.com/SHewxuvUtH
— Stacey (@Stackalaka_) November 4, 2021
Can't believe they cut the scene where Percy Pig discovers pigs in blankets https://t.co/WcwCuGIYhV
— Mollie Goodfellow (@hansmollman) November 4, 2021
if i see anyone slandering tom holland’s percy pig advert i will physically fight you all. pic.twitter.com/VHjh7ghNhq
— lauren x ♥️💫 (@lafiorenero_) November 4, 2021
percy pig was a great career move for tom actually
— riley (@ruefication) November 4, 2021
Chris Pratt seeing that Tom Holland gets to voice Percy Pig, meaning that he can't yet complete his takeover of the animated universe: pic.twitter.com/3ltvxwc5it
— Max (@MaxGarfield2003) November 4, 2021
of all the things I’d expect to see on tom holland’s cv, playing national treasure percy pig was not one of them pic.twitter.com/tP5pSgO7CB
— wils 🔮 (@wilsquiggle) November 4, 2021
Tom Holland is Percy Pig? Spider Ham has been born!! pic.twitter.com/s9oTwx9xEm
— SkyBlueCwtch (@SkyBlueCwtch) November 4, 2021
TOM@HOLLAND BEING PERCY PIG WAS NOT ON MY 2021 BINGO CARD pic.twitter.com/zdiZIS3w5T
— em ✿ (@folklorelogan) November 4, 2021
M&S Advert: Tom Holland as Percy Pig getting excited over food
— Danny (@shckldg) November 4, 2021
Me: pic.twitter.com/h8iy3SP6yG
Others were just excited to see their favourite actor voicing their favourite character:
TOM VOICING PERCY PIG PLSSSS I NEVER WOULDVE IMAGINED 🐷💕💕🤲🥺 pic.twitter.com/nyeTHBJXMH
— penelope | NELE DAY 🎉 (@pinkhoodiepen) November 4, 2021
Good luck explaining to Americans the cultural importance of Tom Holland voicing Percy Pig in a Marks & Spencer Christmas advert
— Alfie Tobutt (@AlfieTobutt) November 4, 2021
tom holland animated universe pic.twitter.com/Cj8P0lLoBY
— joni ✵ (@spideysbrie) November 4, 2021
Sharry Cramond, director of marketing for M&S Food said Percy Pig “couldn’t just have any voice”, and said having Holland “give Percy Pig his first words is about as exciting as it gets”.
Cramond added: “Added to that the voice of the one and only Dawn French as the Christmas fairy – it’s the stuff of Christmas dreams!”
M&S has also released a separate Christmas clothing advert this year which features actor Madisyn Ritland.
The M&S adverts are not the only thing getting people in the Christmas spirit today.
This morning John Lewis released its own festive film and it’s already garnered over a million views on Twitter.
What happens when an #UnexpectedGuest lands in your forest? 🌠 You show them how Christmas is done, of course 🎄
— John Lewis & Partners (@JohnLewisRetail) November 4, 2021
Find out more 💫 ✨ https://t.co/mSbISaLCtU pic.twitter.com/Rz6eb0dslA
With M&S bringing its iconic characters to life, maybe we’ll see a Christmassy Colin the Caterpillar make an appearance next year.
