Watch star-studded Waitrose Christmas advert with former BBC stars – how many famous faces can you spot?

WAITROSE has unveiled a star-studded "whodunnit"-style Christmas food advert which is bound to get shoppers talking.

The upmarket retailer has released the first instalment in a two-part series centring around the mystery theft of a festive pudding.

The clip features an ensemble cast including Matthew Macfadyen of "Succession", comedian Joe Wilkinson from "Afterlife" and Rakhee Thakrar of "Sex Education".

Sian Clifford from "Fleabag", Dustin Demri-Burns of "Slow Horses" and Eryl Maynard of "Agatha Christie’s Miss Marple" also make an appearance.

The star-studded cast are left stunned 15 seconds into the 90-second ad after finding out a Waitrose dessert has gone missing.

Self-appointed detective of the crime scene Macfadyen goes about trying to solve the mystery as he interrogates and grills each member of the party.

But shoppers will have to wait to find out who pinched the dessert until later this month when Waitrose releases its second ad.

The 60-second clip will reveal the culprit behind the theft of the dessert, as Waitrose wraps up the campaign.

It will be the first time the retailer has released a two-part Christmas ad series in its history.

Nathan Ansell, customer director at Waitrose, said: "For the first time, we’re keeping Waitrose customers guessing with a ‘whodunnit’ festive crime drama featuring a stellar cast for this year’s Christmas ad.

"Our Christmas Campaign is all about how Waitrose (Christmas) food is so good, you can't wait to get your hands on it so we’ve showcased the very best of our delicious range while also adding a touch of festive fun and sparkle."

Waitrose's festive campaign will also be rolled out wider in stores, as well as across social media.

A physical evidence board will be put up at London’s Kings Cross Station, while partners in branches will be wear "suspect" t-shirts.

Franki Goodwin, chief creative officer at Saatchi and Saatchi, said: “We talk about culture a lot in this industry, but this campaign bridges the gap between Christmas advertising and big-audience entertainment.

"This is an entirely new direction for Waitrose at Christmas, one that we believe a brand as celebrated by British food lovers can only achieve, and it’s been a privilege to bring it to life."

The latest campaign from Waitrose comes as John Lewis, also for the first time, launches a multi-part Christmas advert campaign.

The retailer, operated by the John Lewis Partnership which also owns Waitrose, kicked off the festive season in September with the first clip centred around John Lewis' Never Knowingly Undersold pledge.

The second, released on Friday, focused on the motto "Give Knowingly", chronicling the ups and downs of a pink jumper and its owner.

A third final Christmas ad will be released later this month.

What are other supermarkets doing?

Sainsbury's has unveiled its festive ad for 2024, featuring iconic Roald Dahl character the BFG.

Meanwhile, Morrisons' Christmas ad has singing oven gloves taking centre stage.

German discounter Aldi has teased a "super cute" ad, although shoppers have been left asking after Kevin the Carrot.

The Debenhams campaign features an all-star cast - Elizabeth Hurley, Leomie Anderson, Ellie Taylor, and Hannah Cooper-Dommett - as they embrace the ease of online shopping. 

And the Argos Christmas ad stars the retailers' much-loved mascots, Connie the doll and Trevor the dinosaur.

Retailers aren't just releasing Christmas ads this year either - some are shutting up shop for two days over the festive period.

Home Bargains, Aldi and John Lewis and Waitrose have all said they will shut stores on December 25 and 26 to give staff time off.

They've been joined by Poundland, The Range and Wilko and Homebase.

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