Debenhams has launched its 2026 Christmas advert, titled 'Christmas. For Everyone'. The four-minute film features a star-studded cast of British icons and centres on celebrating "the unexpected moments that matter."
Star-studded cast reunites in 'The Village'
The story follows Tina, played by The Inbetweeners' Emily Atack, and Chris, played by Gavin & Stacey's Mathew Horne, as they reunite. Corrie legend Kym Marsh appears as the landlady of the pub, while Glasgow-born fashion journalist Mark Heyes has a cameo as a DJ.
The clip begins with Tina heading out with friends to the village party. On the way, they bump into Chris, with whom she once shared a tender moment over music during their school days. Showing that "Christmas isn't about everything working out," a snow storm cancels the evening's entertainment.
Gabrielle performs 'Dreams'
The Gavin & Stacey star takes to the stage to perform the song that he and Tina once connected over. However, a neighbour's overuse of electricity for his Christmas lights causes the power to cut out. Just as Chris manages to get the power back on, British R&B icon Gabrielle shows up to perform her 90s classic 'Dreams', serving as the backdrop for a passionate scene between Tina and Chris as they lock lips.
Set in the fictional 'The Village', the advert has been designed to show that the festive season can still be "magical", even when things don't go according to plan and that, when all else fails, Debenhams will be there to help with the ease of online shopping.
Shoppers react
The star-studded festive clip has already gotten many shoppers into the Christmas spirit. Attracting a lot of love on Instagram, some have said that the retailer has "smashed it" with the clip that has gotten them "obsessed." One enthusiastic commenter wrote: "Amazing!!! Love this." A second wrote: "Christmas has arrived and I’m obsessed." Another fan of the advert wrote: "Lovely , unpretentious and VERY Christmassy." Someone else praised: "Now I’m dreaming of my favourite time of the year Christmas. Well done." While another who loved the advert wrote: "Absolutely smashed it."
Debenhams' 2026 Christmas campaign has been launched to support the opening of its Christmas shop, now available to shop online. It features all of the products used in the film, such as beauty must-haves and festive outfits.
This isn't the first time that Debenhams has managed to bag an all-star cast for its festive TV adverts. Last year, the 'Debenhams Delivered' campaign featured Olivia Attwood, Peter Crouch and Judi Love. In the year prior, it's 'Debenhams, duh' launch was led by actress and model Liz Hurley in a clip that parodied the stress of Christmas shopping and high street stress, by highlighting that shopping online at Debenhams offered a stress-free alternative.
