M&S has pulled an outtake post from its 2023 Christmas advert after being hit with strong backlash for showing burning paper hats that resembled the Palestinian flag.
The retailer has also publicly apologised and addressed the controversy in an official statement.
As the distressing Israel-Hamas war in the Middle East – which began on 7 October after a deadly Hamas attack on Israel, and has since led to ongoing military action – continues to escalate by the day, with more than 1,400 Israelis and upwards of 9,000 Palestinians said to have lost their lives as a result of the conflict, official sources have declared, M&S has found itself in hot water over an outtake shared from its 2023 Christmas campaign.
With its slogan for the festive season being #LoveThismasNotThatmas, the retailer’s TV advert this year seems to be centred around the theme of encouraging customers to focus on enjoying themselves, rather than conforming to Christmas traditions they’re not so keen on.
People blowtorching Christmas cards, whacking a toy elf with a baseball bat, and shredding silver hats are just some of the scenes in the 2023 advert – which is fronted by Ted Lasso star, Hannah Waddingham.
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To give customers a glimpse behind the scenes at the advert – which also features singer Sophie Ellis-Bextor, actress Zawe Ashton, Queer Eye’s Tan France, and more – M&S took to social media to share an outtake image from the advert to tease its imminent release.
The image depicted red, silver, and green Christmas paper hats being tossed into a burning fireplace.
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Hannah Waddingham in M&S’s Christmas clothing and home advert for 2023 / Credit: M&S
The post was accompanied on social media with the caption: “This Christmas, do what you love… like saying no to paper hats” – with the hashtag #LoveThismasNotThatmas at the end.
Given the current contentious climate, people subsequently began to point-out on social media that the choice of colours of the paper hats resembled the colours of the Palestinian flag – leading to M&S making the decision to pull the post, and addressing the situation in its defence in an official statement.
The retailer has palso issued a public apology “for any unintentional hurt caused” alongside its statement.
Once again taking to social media, M&S’s statement reads: “Today we shared an outtake image from our Christmas Clothing and Home advert, which was recorded in August.
“It showed traditional, festive coloured red, green and silver Christmas paper party hats in a fire grate.
“While the intent was to playfully show that some people just don’t enjoy wearing paper Christmas hats over the festive season, we have removed the post following feedback, and we apologise for any unintentional hurt caused.
Featured Image – M&S
TV & Showbiz
Much-loved children’s show Gabby’s Dollhouse is bringing its live show to Manchester
Danny Jones
Much-loved children’s TV sensation Gabby’s Dollhouse is bringing its now world-famous live stage show to Manchester city centre for the first time ever.
Set for its debut UK tour, the smash-hit Netflix series created by the brains behind the 90s and noughties kids classic, Blue’s Clues, has become a global favourite since it first began back in 2021.
After proving highly successful over in the States, ‘Gabby’s Dollhouse Live!’ is now going transatlantic to delight little ones across the pond.
The super family-friendly show lands at Manchester’s AO Arena in early 2026, and we can practically hear the toddlers screaming with joy already.
As the Arena posted on social media, “This a-MEOW-zing new show, inspired by the beloved DreamWorks Animation preschool series, features songs that will have audiences singing and dancing along, from beginning to end.”
For anyone unaware of the name or simply looking to introduce their youngsters to something new, Gabby’s Dollhouse is an interactive pre-school programme that blends both interactive live-action with educational and undeniably cute animation.
It follows a girl named Gabby and her cat friends as they go on adventures inside a magical dollhouse.
The American show has taken off not only domestically but has now become the most-watched kids’ show on Netflix, so yes, it’s rather popular.
As for this still relatively new stage production, it brings to life an exciting original Dollhouse story featuring unique puppets and dynamic staging, with hit new songs that will have audiences singing and dancing along from beginning to end.
You can see the trailer for the US tour down below.
Presented not only by DreamWorks but Universal’s Destinations and Experiences team, the 15-date tour will get underway next spring; you can see the full list of shows here:
‘Gabby’s Dollhouse Live!’ 2026 UK tour dates
We’ve even highlighted all of the Northern shows for you, just in case you can’t make the Manc date.
Fri 27/03/26 SEC Armadillo Theatre, Glasgow
Sun 29/03/26 P&J Live, Aberdeen
Tue 31/03/26 Eventim Apollo, London
Wed 1/04/26 Eventim Apollo, London
Sun 5/04/26 AO Arena Manchester
Tue 7/04/26 Utilita Arena Birmingham
Wed 8/04/26 Edinburgh Playhouse
Sat 11/04/26 Brighton Centre
Tue 14/04/26 First Direct Bank Arena Leeds
Thu 16/04/26 Bournemouth International Centre
Sun 19/04/26 Plymouth Pavilions
Tue 21/04/26 Swansea Building Society Arena
Sun 26/04/26 M&S Bank Arena Liverpool
Tue 28/04/26 Utilita Arena Sheffield
Fri 1/05/26 Utilita Arena Newcastle
Sun 3/05/26 Utilita Arena Cardiff
General admission seats go live on Wednesday, 10 December, and if you’re looking to guarantee your family a spot at the AO Arena or any of the other venues, you can join the pre-sale waiting list.
John Cooper Clarke announces latest UK headline tour along with new book
Danny Jones
The ‘Bard of Salford’ himself, Dr John Cooper Clarke, is back with another UK headline tour in 2026, plus a brand-new book to boot.
Now 76 and still as fiery as ever, ‘The Godfather of Punk Poetry’s career spans more than half a century, and as a Greater Manchester native and cultural icon, he’s still just as worth celebrating as ever with each passing year.
Becoming the first poet to ever headline a UK arena with his landmark Co-op Live back in March, it’s been another milestone 12 months for local legend, and he clearly has absolutely no intentions of slowing down next year either.
Revealing a raft of new tour dates on Monday, 1 December, John Cooper Clarke will be bringing his spoken word stylings and latest collection – satsifyingly titled Have It – to crowds all over the country.
Confirming a total of 20 new live shows, JCC will be kicking off his next tour in October 2026 in time for the launch of his latest title.
Following on from last year’s release, ‘WHAT‘, which became an instant Sunday Times bestseller, and his memoir (published back in 2020), this will be his fifth book to date.
2025 also saw him receive the prestigious Northern Music Award (NMAs) in recognition of his phenomenal influence in the music world and art as a whole.
As for us here at Audio North, we recently also had the incredible privilege of sitting down to chat with Cooper Clarke ourselves ahead of the announcement.
You can see John Cooper Clarke’s list of live shows in full down below.
JCC UK headline tour dates 2026
We’ve kindly italicised all the Northern dates for you as well.
Tickets for Dr John Cooper Clarke in October 2026 will be available from this Friday, 5 December at 10am via Gigs and Tours as well as his official website.
Emily Sergeant -
3rd November 2023 
