Tom Holland stars as Percy Pig in Marks & Spencer Christmas advert
The actor says getting the character’s snort right ‘was a challenge’
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Marks & Spencer has launched two new Christmas campaigns, one of which sees Tom Holland as the voice of the retailer’s famous “Percy Pig”.
On Thursday, 4 November, the supermarket released adverts showcasing its Christmas food collection and festive clothing range.
In the M&S Food advert, the brand’s iconic “Percy Pig” is brought to life, 29 years after the character was first created.
Voiced by Spiderman actor Tom Holland, Percy finds himself free to wander around the supermarket’s Stratford, London store after a Christmas fairy (voiced by Dawn French) accidentally drops her wand onto the gift he was wrapped up inside.
Emerging from the box, he exclaims, “Christmas! I’ve never had a Christmas before.”
As he runs around the store, he discovers several of the supermarket’s Christmas food selections, including smoked salmon, a triple chocolate panettone and a golden blond Christmas pudding – of which he says he has “never seen anything so beautiful in [his] 23 seconds of life”.
Holland said it took him “less than a second” to say yes to voicing Percy. “I’ve loved Percy Pigs for as long as I can remember,” he said.
“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!”
In its 2021 “Family Matters” report, an annual study that aims to understand what families across the UK care about the most, M&S found that 39 per cent of people plan to have a bigger Christmas this year than they did before the Covid-19 pandemic.
Sharry Cramond, director of marketing for M&S Food, said: “The M&S Christmas Food range this year is better than ever and who better to tell customers about our delicious Christmas food range than the national treasure and much-loved M&S icon himself, Percy Pig.
“Of course, he couldn’t have just any voice and having Tom Holland give Percy Pig his first words is about as exciting as it gets. Added to that the voice of the one and only Dawn French as the Christmas fairy – it’s the stuff of Christmas dreams!”
The supermarket has also created a new campaign to promote its festive clothing collection.
The short advert sees actor Madisyn Ritland dancing through a whimsical, musical world, celebrating Christmas with her family and friends as she goes.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments