Happy Valley legend James Norton goes shirtless as Father Christmas in new festive M&S advert

M&S may have just won Christmas with their soon-to-be-viral advert for 2026, starring James Norton as an incognito Santa, Lucy Punch as Mrs Claus and a soundtrack from Katherine Jenkins.

The advert starts in the North Pole and inside the Claus home.

Mrs Claus encourages her husband to go incognito so he can experience what Christmas is like for everyone else - after all, he's constantly recognised!

Shaving off his beard, stripping down to just a towel before donning a Christmas jumper instead of his iconic red suit, Santa looks a lot younger and less familiar, so heads out from the North Pole to see Christmas from a different perspective.

He gets to enjoy all the things we love about the season - getting dressed up, gathering around a table full of yummy food, gift buying and transforming our homes into a Christmas paradise.

While he's out, he realises that Christmas magic isn't just from the North Pole, it's made up and down the country, around tables and under trees, spending time with friends and family.

And of course, M&S are there for every moment too, making themselves The Home of Christmas.

Check out the advert below:

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Norton said of the fun role: "It's not every day you get asked to play Santa, let alone a Santa who immediately shaves off his beard! M&S has been such a familiar part of Christmas for as long as I can remember, so getting to be part of its Christmas campaign feels really special.

"I loved that this story takes such an iconic character and lets us see him differently. 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. It's warm, funny and full of Christmas spirit, and I'm very happy to have been briefly trusted with the red suit.”

Punch added: "M&S and Christmas just go hand in hand, so it was an absolute joy to become part of that tradition this year. I loved that Mrs Claus is the one who gets this story moving. She gives him the nudge so he can get out there incognito and experience the magic of Christmas for himself. There’s something very sweet and fun about their dynamic, and something quite lovely about the idea behind it: this idea that the magic you’re looking for is actually happening all around you."

The advert also boasts a cover of Heaven Is a Place on Earth by none other than Katherine Jenkins.

She said of her role in the advert: "For me, Christmas has always been about coming home. It's about family, traditions and creating memories with the people you love most, and music is such a big part of that. Certain songs instantly become part of the soundtrack to our celebrations, so I was thrilled to record a new version of Heaven Is a Place on Earth for this campaign. I love how beautifully it complements the story, reminding us that the real magic of Christmas isn't found in grand gestures, but in the moments we share together at home."

Shop the M&S Christmas advert here.

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Authors

Helen Daly is the deputy digital editor for Radio Times, overseeing new initiatives and commercial projects for the brand. She was previously Deputy TV Editor at a national publication. She has a BA in English Literature and an MA in Media & Journalism from Newcastle University.