Glenister's M&S line branded offensive

BBC/Kudos

A line delivered by Philip Glenister in Marks and Spencer's new Christmas advert has been branded sexist.

The Advertising Standards Authority has received eight complaints over the Ashes To Ashes star's contribution to the retailer's festive commercial, BBC News reports.

M&S's advert sees a number of famous faces commenting on how "Christmas wouldn't be Christmas without" various treats.

In Glenister's segment, his chosen benefit is "that girl prancing around in her underwear". Model Noemie Lenoir is then shown wearing only a bra and knickers.

A spokesman for M&S insisted that the moment was intended to be a light-hearted reference to the chauvinistic views of Glenister's Ashes To Ashes character Gene Hunt.

The representative said: "We're surprised by the ASA complaints regarding Philip Glenister's appearance in our TV ad. Our research shows that his on-screen character in Ashes to Ashes is extremely popular with our customers and his lines in the ad are in keeping with that role."