Lucy Punch, the 48-year-old star of BBC comedy Amandaland, is reportedly set to take over from Dawn French as the face of Marks & Spencer’s highly anticipated Christmas advertising campaign, which has left some fans of the retailer delighted.
In a significant departure from previous years, the high street store will for the first time merge its food and fashion promotions into a single festive advert.
Ms French, 68, had been the familiar voice and face of M&S Food television adverts since 2021, while other celebrities including Sophie Ellis-Bextor, Hannah Waddingham, Jennifer Saunders, Tan France and Zawe Ashton have featured in the brand’s seasonal campaigns.
Filming on the new big-budget advertisement has already been completed, though it will remain under wraps until November.
Dawn French has fronted Marks and Spencer’s Christmas Food campaign since 2021
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MARKS AND SPECNER
M&S executives reportedly believed Ms Punch was an ideal fit given the enormous popularity of her BBC One sitcom.
A source told The Sun: “Amandaland is one of the most popular shows on telly right now, and bosses thought it would be really fun to cast Lucy in their Christmas ad to promote both their food and fashion ranges.”
The casting also makes sense on a practical level, as Ms Punch’s character Amanda regularly wears M&S clothing in the series.
“Lucy’s character Amanda wears a lot of M&S clothes in the series so she is the perfect model for them,” the source added.
BBC Amandaland star Lucy Punch is understood to be replacing Dawn French
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BBC
The Amandaland Christmas special drew over 3.1 million viewers last year, ranking as the seventh most-watched programme on Christmas Day.
The source promised that “fans aren’t going to be disappointed” and teased further surprises.
Ms Punch has spoken candidly about her surprise at the character’s enduring appeal. “I couldn’t have imagined ten years later I’d be here, but that first script was incredible, as was the cast. And here we are,” she told Radio Times.
She has also drawn distinctions between herself and her on-screen alter ego.
Dawn French’s starred in the M&S Christmas Food ads, but this year the retailer will release only one advert across its brand
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FEARNE COTTON’S HAPPY PLACE YOUTUBE“I’m hopeful like she is, and can find the positive in a situation. I hope I’m a lot more self-aware, not as pretentious and snobby,” the actress said.
The switch has sparked a lively debate on social media. One user on X declared that “dropping Dawn French for Lucy Punch is the best decision you’ve ever made,” while another quipped: “This is not just a sacking, it’s an M&S sacking.”
“I have no idea who Lucy Punch is but she is an improvement on Dawn French,” another swiped.
“Finally, well done M&S, love Lucy Punch,” another penned.
Lucy Punch is reportedly set to be the Marks & Spencer’s highly anticipated Christmas advertising campaign
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GETTY
Someone else wrote: “Well done @marksandspencer dropping Dawn French for Lucy Punch is the best decision you’ve ever made.”
“Hardly surprised. Dawn has been acting weird for a while now!” another agreed.
However, others questioned the replacement decision, with one writing “Lucy is considerably more woke than Dawn, LOL.”
“Someone else I never heard of,” another complained.
GB News has contacted Marks and Spencer over the reports.