Colin the Caterpillar has been a cake staple for celebratory occasions since 1990, so the team at M&S thought it would be time for a change.
On Thursday, December 15, viewers of ITV’s Inside M&S series got a sneak preview of Colin the Caterpillar’s Christmas makeover.
Product manager Naomi said: “Colin the caterpillar is so important to M&S. He is more than just a cake for us.”
Wanting to add a Christmassy twist to the cake, Naomi got to work to give him a makeover.
Wanting to make sure the new product lived up to its original, Naomi admitted she felt a lot of “pressure”.
“The reputational risk for M&S and Colin is huge if you get it wrong,” said Naomi.
When the Christmas makeover was revealed, people weren’t too pleased.
One reportedly wrote on X, formerly Twitter: “The Christmas Colin still looks cr*p, I can’t believe that got signed off.”
Wales Online reported another said: “Colin the caterpillar festive jumper is a joke, right?”
On the Facebook group Newsfooduk, however, Maureen wrote: “Oh, my! That looks good.”
Another, Rhys, said: “Might walk into town after tomorrow and get one.”
This year, Colin the Caterpillar has a green hat, a Christmassy jumper and snowflake decorations.
Colin the Caterpillar has had previous makeovers that were seemingly a bigger hit.
Back in 2019, Colin the Caterpillar donned a classic red Christmas hat complete with a round tip.
On his back were red Christmas presents and cream baubles, a chocolate tree and green mistletoes, in addition to red elf-like boots.
X user, GenericSpur, said at the time: “M&S have won Christmas already.”
You can watch Colin the Caterpillar’s makeover back on ITVX: Inside M&S, season two, episode two.
