M&S releases NEW festive Colin the Caterpillar with Santa hat & chocolate sleigh as shoppers cry ‘I need this for Xmas’
FANS of Colin the Caterpillar are going wild after Marks and Spencer revealed a festive version of the hugely popular chocolate cake.
The iconic M&S Colin the Caterpillar has graced the table at many birthday events, but now he will pull up in his sleigh for a festive appearance.
"Colin’s been upgraded this year guys prepare yourselves," one excited shopper wrote under a Facebook post about the festive treat.
The Sleigh Ride Colin the Caterpillar features "Colin as you've never seen him before," M&S claims.
With 46% more chocolate than the traditional caterpillar cake, Colin is getting into the spirit of Christmas, oozing both joy and indulgence.
Festive Colin wears a red Santa hat and is pulling a present-filled sleigh with candy canes and white and milk chocolate gifts.
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He even has white winter boots and Christmas-themed sprinkles which are red, white and green.
They are made up of tiny Christmas trees, candy canes and snowflakes.
The "upgraded" Colin is £15 for 730g which serves ten people.
"As the nation's OG caterpillar cake, it comes as no surprise that Colin attends over one million celebrations a year, cementing him as the King of Birthdays and more," an M&S spokesperson told The Sun.
"He has a loyal following of super fans on social media and this year alone has racked up a whopping 5.1 million views so far!
"We know how much our customers LOVE Colin, which is why we have over 15 all year-round Colin the Caterpillar products in our Foodhall, including cookies, sweets, and even chocolate mousse!
";Each year we delight shoppers with a limited edition seasonal special and keep it exciting by mixing it up every Christmas!
"This year we have gone one step further," they said, highlighting the extra lashings of chocolate that make up the festive cake.
Sleigh Ride Colin is the "perfect table centrepiece this Christmas [and] is guaranteed to spread smiles and festive cheer to all!" the spokesperson concluded.
You can pick up the cake in stores soon or by using the M&S Food to Order service.
This is a service for pre-ordering just Christmas food over the festive period for either home delivery or collection in store, but there's a £50 minimum order fee.
You can also order via Ocado which stocks M&S food, though there may also be a minimum spend and delivery fee.
As news spread of the new Colin, shoppers flooded Facebook comments celebrating the addition to the M&S Christmas range and frantically tagging friends and family members.
"I hope you realise that this is a Christmas essential," one woman wrote while tagging her partner.
"Well it would be rude not to have one," another added.
One simply wrote three words in response to the new cake: "Must have one."
"The sledge looks nice, thick and chocolatey, can't wait to give it a try," an excited shopper wrote.
"My children will beg me [to] get this for Christmas," a mother added.
My M&S Xmas highlights
The Sun's consumer editor Lynsey Barber got an early taste of Marks and Spencer's Christmas food line up which includes 450 new items.
Here are the highlights.
White Mulled Wine, £6, 11% - 5/10
An interesting twist, but I prefer my white wine cool and crisp, so not for me.
Turkey Feast dip, TBC, - 10/10
A mouthful of Christmas, top of my shopping list and I'll be eating it all winter.
Turkey Feast lasagne, £10 750g - 8/10
Rich and festive, another dish that is spot on with the essential flavours of Christmas, but I'd need a small portion as it's very creamy.
Hot Honey Brie Brulee £7, 288g - 8/10
A cheesy dream, with extra zing from the hot honey and a bit of crunch, a great combo of flavours and a winter warmer.
Halloumi in Blankets with Hot Honey, £5.50, 240g - 10/10
A surprise hit with soft and creamy centres. Possibly better than the originals.
However, some were left baffled by the new Colin and his festive accessories.
"It looks like one of those dogs that needs wheels to run around," one wrote.
"I didn't realise he was riding a sleigh," another added.
For others, it was the price that left them unenthused about the festive product.
"Just so over the top," one shopper said, noting that "many cannot afford" a £15 cake.
CAKE RIVALS
The question of cost also saw the conversation quickly turn to the most famous cake rivalry.
"Can't wait to see Cuthbert the caterpillar on his sledge Aldi UK," a cheeky shopper said on Facebook.
Some tagged the German retailer asking if they could make a cheaper version of Colin in his sleigh.
Aldi has famously re-created the Colin the Caterpillar cake with their own Cuthbert the Caterpillar, causing fierce competition between the two companies and among fans forced to pick sides.
It seems that the rivalry will not be settled for Christmas this year after a festive version of Cuthbert has appeared on the Aldi website and will be available from November 24.
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Unlike Colin, Cuthbert Christmas is not in a sleigh, but wearing a Santa hat, a green bow tie and has white chocolate stars down his back.
The Aldi version that serves 12 people costs £6.49.