Emily Atack and Mathew Horne star in Debenhams' 2026 Christmas advert, a small-town love story set at a village hall party. The retail chain's festive film features Emily as Tina, unlucky in love, and Mathew as Chris, the one who got away.
Village Hall Romance
The advert opens at a local village hall party where Tina and her friends are dancing to Christmas music. Disaster strikes when the landlady, played by Kym Marsh, reveals the booked entertainment has been caught in a snowstorm.
After exchanging glances on the dance floor, Chris steps up and plays guitar to a song the pair bonded over during their school days. More chaos follows when the electricity fails, but music icon Gabrielle arrives just in time to get the festivities going again.
Stars Share Their Excitement
Emily said: 'I loved filming it, the warm, nostalgic vibe of the party in the film felt just perfect and what a fantastically talented and lovely cast to be a part of.'
She added: 'I can't wait for this Christmas season, and I adore the theme of the campaign which is to remind everyone to reconnect with family and friends at this wonderful time of the year.'
Mathew noted that his face is usually seen on screen during a Gavin and Stacey Christmas special, but that has changed this year. He said: 'Families, friends and loved ones would gather round the TV to watch the Christmas specials and I'm delighted to be a part of another festive film that celebrates similar themes of togetherness.'
