PG Tips revives Morecambe and Wise sketch for Christmas ad

Johnny Vegas and his woolly sidekick Monkey will appear in a pastiche of the classic Morecambe and Wise Breakfast Sketch in the latest execution of the PG Tips campaign. It will break at 4pm on Christmas Day.

It is understood the ad, created by Mother, is part of PG Tips’ overall brand campaign, and will take up a whole break at 4pm, a key part of the ITV schedule that day.

The brand’s most recent advertising, which also features Vegas and Monkey, highlighted its tie-up with the Rainforest Alliance. By 2010, it will buy all of its tea from plantations guaranteed by the alliance.

The comedy duo has been starring in ads for the Unilever-owned tea brand since 2006. The campaign brought the pair back together after a four-year lull when they promoted ITV Digital, since rebranded as Freeview. The ads were also created by Mother.

The use of Monkey has caused some controversy, particularly at ITV, which fought Mother for the rights for the animal after ITV Digital went into administration in 2002. It fought a year-long battle but finally reached a deal, allowing Mother to manage the use of Monkey for free.

It is understood that Comic Relief benefits from his appearances in the PG Tips campaign.

The Breakfast Sketch is one of Morecambe and Wise’s most famous scenes, where they make breakfast in time with raunchy instrumental track, The Stripper.