Get you up to speed: Lidl’s Christmas advert features Barry from Eastenders singing | News UK
Lidl has launched its Christmas campaign, featuring Shaun Williamson, best known for his role as Barry Evans in EastEnders, in a reworking of Slade’s “Merry Christmas Everybody.” The campaign, titled Lidl Christmas Everybody, includes appearances from Chris Kamara, Kemi Rodgers, and Abi Clarke, and promotes Lidl’s Christmas food range while encouraging donations to its Toy Bank initiative across Great Britain.
Lidl’s Christmas campaign, “Lidl Christmas Everybody,” features a musical advertisement led by Shaun Williamson and runs concurrently with the return of the Toy Bank initiative, which is active from November 5 to December 16. Over the past four years, the Toy Bank has successfully distributed more than 250,000 toys to children through local charities and community groups.
Lidl’s new festive campaign, featuring Shaun Williamson, marks the supermarket’s start to its Christmas celebrations, according to marketing director Joanna Gomer, who noted that more surprises are forthcoming. In addition, Lidl has launched its Toy Bank initiative, encouraging donations of unopened toys from November 5 to December 16, which will benefit local charities and community groups.
What remains unclear — Lidl has not specified what additional surprises are planned for their Christmas campaign.
Lidl launches Christmas advert featuring Shaun Williamson as Barry from EastEnders
Lidl is getting into the Christmas spirit with their festive twist on one of the UK’s best-loved songs, starring none other than Barry from EastEnders.
Actor Shaun Williamson, who is best known for playing Barry Evans in the BBC soap, takes centre stage in the supermarket’s new campaign, titled Lidl Christmas Everybody.
The track is a reworking of Slade’s classic Merry Christmas Everybody, with Williamson leading a festive singalong.
This comes after Emily Atack was spotted falling in love with a Gavin & Stacey star in the first major 2026 Christmas advert.
Sign up for all of the latest stories
He is joined by the likes of former footballer Chris Kamara, Capital FM presenter Kemi Rodgers and comedian Abi Clarke.
Williamson said: ‘Christmas is all about bringing people together, having fun and spreading a little festive cheer, so I jumped at the chance to help Lidl kick off the festive season in style!
‘Putting a fresh spin on such an iconic Christmas classic was brilliant fun, and I hope it gets everyone smiling, singing along and feeling that little bit of Christmas magic!’
Lidl GB marketing director Joanna Gomer said the campaign marked the start of the supermarket’s Christmas celebrations, but more festive surprises were still to come.
The supermarket is also promoting its Christmas food range, which it says has received more than 160 awards and endorsements this year.
The campaign also coincides with the return of Lidl’s Toy Bank, which encourages shoppers to donate unopened toys and gifts in stores across Great Britain.
Running from November 5 to December 16, the initiative is organised with charity network Neighbourly and has distributed more than 250,000 toys over the past four years.
Donations will be passed on to children through local charities, food banks and community groups.