M&S Christmas advert hailed 'best ever' by viewers - watch

Viewers have heaped praise on Marks and Spencer for their new Christmas advert, comparing it far more favourably to this year’s offering from John Lewis.It features James Norton as an undercover Santa Claus, while Lucy Punch stars as Mrs Claus. Katherine Jenkins OBE also makes a special appearance and provides the soundtrack, with a reimagining of “Heaven Is a Place on Earth”.James Norton stars in the latest M&S Christmas advertM&SIn the advert, an incognito Santa leaves the North Pole behind and steps out into the world to experience Christmas from a whole new perspective.Viewers have taken to social media to heap praise on the retailer’s festive advert, which is the first time in almost a decade that it has brought food, fashion, home and beauty together in one campaign. “It is the best advert I have ever seen,” wrote reality star and presenter Vicky Pattison, whilst broadcaster Stacey Dooley commented: “Absolutely yes.”James Norton stars as Santa Claus who decides to go undercoverM&S“Whoever thought of this needs a RAISE! This is AMAZING!,” added another user, with a different approving viewer commenting: “James Norton as Santa Claus is how Christmas should be from now on.”Many compared it to John Lewis’ Christmas advert, which was criticised by some for being “out of touch”.The advert, which was released on Tuesday, centres on a wealthy grandmother Gloria, played by Dame Kristin Scott Thomas. Her grandchildren are left unimpressed with her attempts to entertain them with her old toy collection.She is talked out of giving them money by her wooden toy dog Pickles (voiced by Paul Whitehouse), who comes to life and brings her to John Lewis, where she buys them gifts instead, finally pleasing them.Dame Kristin Scott Thomas stars in the 2026 John Lewis Christmas adRead More“It didn’t make me feel Christmassy and to be honest if they were my kids they wouldn’t be getting any presents they were so rude,” said one social media user.Another wrote: “Basically the grandchildren are absolute brats, they completely disrespect their grandmother and their mother just shrugs her shoulders and blames grandma. Grandma then goes to the ends of the earth to buy s*** to make them love her. Even the fact they shake the card expecting money is shocking. Awful ad.”In comparison, the M&S advert has been praised for bringing the “humour” and “silliness” to a Christmas advert.“Now that's how a Christmas advert should be done!” wrote one user, whilst another said: “Love it. Watch it and weep John Lewis.”“Very Christmassy , funny and corny .. just as it should and everything on sale . Shame JL didn’t think of that!,” said a third.The 2026 John Lewis Christmas Advert has riled up some viewers“Light years ahead of the train wreck that is the John Lewis Christmas Advert,” another added.