Marks & Spencer have released a new Christmas ad after their original one faced a lot of criticism.
The British store was one of the first to release its festive advert for Christmas 2023, but it quickly received backlash. In response, Marks & Spencer have now launched another Christmas ad.
This one features the voices of actors Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney, with comedian Dawn French playing the Christmas Fairy.
Its release comes after the retailer had to say sorry for causing upset with their original star-studded promotion.
A post that has since been removed from the company's Instagram page showed paper Christmas hats burning in a fire. The caption read: 'This Christmas, do only what you love…like saying no to paper hats'.
People were quick to criticise the post because the burning hats were the colours of the Palestinian flag. Many called it "insensitive" and "disgusting", especially considering the current situation in Gaza.
The controversial post was part of M&S's "This-mas not That-mas" campaign, which was revealed on Wednesday.
The campaign's advert starred Queer Eye's Tan France and Ted Lasso actress Hannah Waddingham, who were seen rejecting festive traditions they don't like.
Marks & Spencer released a statement on Wednesday night addressing the backlash.
A spokesperson for the company said: "Today we shared an outtake image from our Christmas Clothing and Home advert, which was recorded in August. It showed festive coloured red, green and silver party hats in a fire grate."
The company added: "While the intent was to playfully show that some people just don't enjoy wearing paper Christmas hats over the festive season, we have removed the post following feedback and we apologise for any unintentional hurt caused."
In the past, the high street store has enlisted big names like Jennifer Saunders and Spiderman actor Tom Holland to voice characters in their food adverts. They've appeared alongside Dawn French's Christmas Fairy.
This year, the food and lifestyle retailer has upped the ante by bringing in not one but two Hollywood stars to bring their commercial to life.
Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney, the Hollywood best pals who jointly own Wrexham Football Club, have come together to lend their voices to a pair of Mittens called Left and Right.
The advert begins with comedian and actress Dawn's fairy looking out the window as she spots a lost red and white knitted glove with what appear to be green antlers looking cold and lonely in the snow.
Dawn's Christmas Fairy then casts a spell to bring the glove to life and magically pulls it inside to discover the mitten is attached to a piece of red string, which is attached to another glove.
Inside the warmth of the home, which is decorated with a tree, lights and other festive nick nacks, the Christmas Fairy cheerfully tells the Mittens: "Merry Christmas!"
Ryan's mitten, Right, introduces the pair as the Christmas Fairy asks: "What on earth were you doing outside?". Right replies: "Oh goody it's backstory time. Picture a little girl, let's call her Lilly her family are trekking across the pond.
"Picture a cold night and loose backpack. Picture Lilly's tears as she realises she may never feel the warmth of our polyester knit…"
Rob's mitten, Left, emotionally adds: "I feel so empty" as the Christmas Fairy says: "What a sad story", as Right replies: "Why thank you". The Christmas Fairy soon gets to work cheering the pair up as she flies off with the Mittens' adjoining string in hand and announces: "Come on let's sprinkle you with some MandS Christmas magic!"
It then cuts to a montage of the Mittens enjoying some Marks & Spencer-themed Christmas joy including pulling a cracker, playing Connect 4 with some foiled chocolates and playing catch with the store's iconic chocolate sprout.
The Mittens are seen swinging from a bell decoration and crashing into the Christmas Fairy. The Fairy then lights a Christmas pudding, saying: "It gets better," but accidentally sets the Mittens' string on fire.
To cheer up the Mittens, the Fairy conjures up a grand Christmas feast, causing them to exclaim: "Best Christmas ever," and high-five each other. This advert is the first in a series leading up to the Mittens reuniting with their owner Lilly over the festive season.
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