Wallace and Gromit, the beloved claymation duo from Aardman, star in a new 90-second Christmas advert for Barbour that has quickly become a favourite among critics.
The ad sees the titular heroes head out on a snowy walk while Wallace waits for his roast potatoes to cook. True to form, Wallace tests his latest invention, the Walk-o-Matic, and things go wrong, leaving Gromit to save the day wearing a Barbour quarter-zip. The short also features a cameo from a mischievous sheep.
A Warm Reception from the Entertainment Desk
The Metro entertainment desk has been debating the best Christmas advert of 2026, with John Lewis, Argos (featuring Richard Ayoade), and Aldi's Kevin the Carrot all in the mix. However, deputy TV editor Tom Percival argues that Barbour's offering surpasses the Walmart ad, which was a semi-sequel to The Muppet Christmas Carol and was declared by colleague Tori Brazier as the best Christmas advert of all time.
Percival praises the advert for being original and heartfelt, noting that it doesn't rely on nostalgia in the same way as the Muppet ad, even though it stars beloved childhood characters.
A Friendly Disagreement
When Percival suggested Barbour's ad was superior, Brazier respectfully disagreed, writing: 'I will respectfully stand by what I said, as I felt that Wallace and Gromit for Barbour doesn’t quite capture the spirit like Wal-Mart did for the Muppet Christmas Carol.' She did concede, however, that 'Gromit in a dog jacket is adorable.'
Ultimately, Percival conceded that the Muppets and Christmas are a classic pairing, but expressed hope that there is still room for Wallace and Gromit this festive season.
