M&S Christmas advert: Shoppers 'can't stop watching' 2026 ad featuring James Norton as 'hot Santa'

Marks & Spencer has unveiled its 2026 Christmas advert, and shoppers say they ‘can’t stop watching it’, largely due to a shirtless James Norton.

Also Starring Amandaland actor Lucy Punch as Mrs Claus alongside Happy Valley hunk Norton as Santa, the festive film has certainly caught people's attention, with viewers particularly taken with Norton's rather different take on Father Christmas.

Dubbed 'hot Santa' by shoppers on social media, the actor swaps his traditional red suit and long white beard for a much more modern look after his wife persuades him to shave off his beard, which makes him look so different he decides to leave the North Pole and experience Christmas for himself without being recognised.

The advert begins with Mrs Claus suggesting that Santa should shave off his beard because “they say it takes years off”. He is at first reluctant, but then does so - and emerges from the bathroom wearing nothing but an (M&S) white towel. We can’t be sure the exact on it is but it’s definitely one of these.

Amazed by just how different he does look, Santa then decides to head out into the world to discover how ordinary people celebrate the festive season, confident that nobody will know it’s him.

His journey takes him through some of the familiar preparations that make Christmas special, including getting dressed up, preparing the Christmas table, buying presents and decorating the home. Santa also pays a visit to an M&S store, where he discovers plenty of tempting festive treats and gifts.

However, it seems Mrs Claus has beaten him to it, as viewers see her exiting the shop as he gazes through the window in wonder. When he eventually returns home carrying bags full of M&S goodies, his wife tells him she’s been going to M&S for years. She also makes one thing clear: his beard is staying off.

As well as providing plenty of festive inspiration, the advert features products shoppers can actually buy from M&S. Among them is the £22.50 Autograph shaving set Santa uses to remove his beard and complete his transformation.

The soundtrack is another talking point, with Katherine Jenkins providing a reworked version of Belinda Carlisle's 1980s hit Heaven Is a Place on Earth. The song being officially released alongside the Christmas campaign.

You can watch the M&S Christmas 2026 Christmas advert yourself below.

And it seems shoppers are already impressed with the results. Taking to social media to share their reactions, viewers have been particularly enthusiastic about the casting, with many praising the decision to put Norton in the role of Santa.

One shopper wrote: "M&S Christmas advert is class! Great choice with the hot Santa! Norton was a fab choice." Another said: "James Norton and Lucy Punch - what a coup! This is how you get your core customers back into your stores."

Others were equally enthusiastic, with one viewer admitting: "Can't stop watching the M&S Christmas advert. Just brilliant."

And Norton's festive makeover hasn't gone unnoticed, with another shopper writing: "There is a Christmas advert! And there is a M&S Christmas advert! James Norton in a skimpy towel - made my day!" One particularly impressed viewer summed up their thoughts by declaring: "M&S absolutely smashed the Christmas advert wars."

If the early reaction is anything to go by, M&S has certainly given viewers something to talk about and 'hot Santa' could be one of the most memorable characters of festive advertising season.

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