James Norton gets a very cheeky Santa makeover in M&S Christmas advert 2026 – WATCH HERE

Marks & Spencer has unveiled its 2026 Christmas advert, starring James Norton as Father Christmas and Amandaland actress Lucy Punch as Mrs Claus.

Titled The Home of Christmas, the three-minute film follows Santa as he leaves the North Pole to experience the festive season without being recognised.

What happens in the M&S Christmas advert 2026?

The advert opens with Mrs Claus suggesting that her husband shave off his beard, telling him: “They say it takes years off.”

Santa initially protests: “No! It’s my thing!” but eventually agrees to the makeover, shaving off his beard and swapping his traditional red suit for a more contemporary look.

The transformation includes a scene in which Norton poses in just a white towel, prompting an enthusiastic reaction from Mrs Claus.

With his new appearance making him unrecognisable, Santa heads to London to experience Christmas away from the North Pole.

His trip sees him go Christmas shopping in a leather jacket and red scarf, attend a school carol concert and sample M&S’s festive food selection, including its popular party snacks, known as “picky bits”.

Katherine Jenkins performs a cover of Belinda Carlisle’s ‘Heaven Is a Place on Earth’

The carol concert features a special appearance by opera singer Katherine Jenkins, who performs a cover of Belinda Carlisle‘s ‘Heaven Is a Place on Earth’.

After experiencing the festive season for himself, Santa returns home to tell Mrs Claus about his adventures. She reveals that she has already been enjoying Christmas in her own way, telling him: “Oh darling, I’ve been going for years.”

What have the stars said about the M&S Christmas advert?

Norton said playing Santa was an opportunity to offer a different take on the familiar festive character.

“It’s not every day you get asked to play Santa, let alone a Santa who immediately shaves off his beard!” he said.

The actor added: “He gets to experience Christmas like the rest of us, discovering that the real magic is in the food, traditions and moments we share with the people we love.”

Punch said she enjoyed the dynamic between the two characters, explaining that Mrs Claus encourages her husband to experience Christmas outside the North Pole.

“There’s something very sweet and fun about their dynamic,” she said. “And something quite lovely about the idea behind it: this idea that the magic you’re looking for is actually happening all around you.”

“For me, Christmas has always been about coming home” – Jenkins

Jenkins, meanwhile, said she was delighted to record a new version of ‘Heaven Is a Place on Earth’ for the campaign.

“For me, Christmas has always been about coming home. It’s about family, traditions and creating memories with the people you love most,” she said.

She added that the song reflects the advert’s message that “the real magic of Christmas isn’t found in grand gestures, but in the moments we share together at home”.

The campaign launched today (Friday 6 November) across M&S’s social media channels, with the advert also airing on ITV’s This Morning.