A father from South Essex has sparked a viral debate after publishing a 672-word analysis of a tub of Celebrations chocolates, claiming consumers are being 'mugged off' by the brand. Simon Harris, 42, a comedian and social media manager, purchased a 550g tub and meticulously counted the contents, then compared the proportions to a Facebook poll of 2,035 people on their favourite miniature.
His tub contained 59 chocolates: 10 Snickers, 10 Milky Way, nine Mars, seven Maltesers, six Twix, six Galaxy, six Bounty and six Galaxy Caramel. The poll revealed Maltesers as the favourite for 36.6% of respondents, yet they made up only 11.8% of the tub. Bounty came second at 16.9%, while Snickers, Twix, Mars and Milky Way ranked lower.
Harris fumed on X: 'Maltesers — It is the favourite miniature for 36.6% of consumers, but they make up 11.8% of each tub, and so consumers are being SIGNIFICANTLY MUGGED OFF.' He made similar points about Bounty and Milky Way, though he conceded his findings may be 'flawed' as children, who like Milky Way, did not participate.
His most striking conclusion was that Bounty is 'the nation's SECOND-FAVOURITE and not the pellet of unspeakable evil' often portrayed. He challenged Mars Wrigley to contact him to take Celebrations 'to the next level', suggesting 'Official Swap Meets' where people could exchange unwanted chocolates.
Harris told this reporter that customers are being 'shafted' and his 'analysis speaks for itself'. The post has been viewed over two million times, with some mistaking him for the former Irish Prime Minister. Mars has not yet responded.
