M&S drops 'magical' 2025 Christmas food advert with iconic soundtrack
The festive clip is set to an iconic Christmas song we all know and love.
Is it Christmas without M&S? There's no denying that many of us Brits associate the beloved retailer with the festive season, especially when it comes to food.
The high street stalwart recently had us salivating by showcasing its entire festive menu this year. It boasts everything from classic festive centre-pieces to party favourites, alongside a host of vegan and vegetarian-friendly options.
Now, to really get shoppers into the spirit of the season, M&S has become the latest major retailer to drop its Christmas food advert. Their festive offering brings back a beloved British comedian, while also featuring a celebrity chef cameo and an iconic soundtrack.
The 90-second clip, which debuted today, Monday, November 3, once again brings back Dawn French and her iconic Christmas Fairy as they are stuck in grid-lock traffic during the mad December rush, with the clip being set to Chris Rea's iconic "Driving Home for Christmas."
After spotting a Marks and Spencer delivery truck ahead, the iconic Magic Fairy waves her wand as the Vicar of Dibley star surges through the myriad of cars to get to the magical feast before anyone else.
The Christmas party truck is then opened to the rest of the weary travellers, with a show-stopping festive spread showcasing just a few of M&S' mouth-watering dishes that are sure to go down a storm this year.
There's canapes such as Black Tiger Prawn Paella Bites and Fish, Chips and Peas Bites that get snapped up pretty quickly, alongside the likes of a Pork and Mushroom pate that has been crafted by celebrity chef Tom Kerridge.
The award-winning chef, who makes a brief cameo in the advert, is central to the retailer's Christmas Food-To-Order menu this year, crafting exclusive dishes including an Ultimate Beef Wellington and a British Turkey and Stuffing Wellington.
Eagle-eyed shoppers will be able to spot the top chef near the end of the ad, as he watches everyone rush to the M&S truck from his car and declaring: "The world's gone mad."
It's not the only cameo to be spotted in M&S' Christmas Food Advert this year, as the Sussex adult City of Stars Choir also makes a brief appearance when Dawn hands out some of the retailer's canapes to guests.
Shoppers on Instagram have already been responding to the advert on Instagram, with one saying: "It’s Christmassssssss! So magical."
A second shopper remarked: "Yay!!! What we’ve all been waiting for Dawn & Fairy."
Someone else added: "Ooh the food, I’ll definitely be getting some of these food platters."
While someone else simply said: "Pure joy."
Read more Christmas 2025 stories
As we head into the Christmas shopping season, many retailers have been dropping the festive adverts, with Aldi teasing its first of three episodes that will debut on TV screens at 8:15pm tonight, November 3, with the clip taking inspiration from 'Love Actually.'
Sainsbury's also unveiled its advert over the weekend, bringing back Roald Dahl's The BFG who teams up with colleague Annie to ensure families across the UK get access to good Christmas food amidst the arrival of an "unexpected guest."