Don’t they grow up so fast! We can’t believe we’re typing this but our beloved Percy Pig has turned 25!
Undoubtedly the nation’s favourite sweet, M&S sell a whopping 300 million Percy’s a year, which equates to 10 sweets a second!!
We’ve never come across anyone who doesn’t love Percy – both adults and children alike. In fact, he’s got a very impressive fan base…….
Percy has appeared on Vogue’s Hot 100 list, Andy Murray has admitted he can’t start a match without him and Lewis Hamilton has come out to say Percy is the one thing he couldn’t live without.
There’s even a Percy Pig appreciation society on Facebook with over 220,000 members in it.
But Percy’s a pretty cool guy himself. In the past he’s run the London Marathon and he made his TV debut live on air whilst the nation was awaiting the birth of Prince George.
We take a trip down memory lane to see how far the little guy has come….
In 1992 Percy is born. He’s not an instant hit though and M&S even consider delisting him. Imagine! Luckily he’s given a chance and In 2002 Percy makes some friends – Percy Pig and Pals is launched. We’re not sure how they were conceived but in 2008 Percy Piglets arrive on the scene – perhaps he was just babysitting.
Things ‘pig’ up pace and in 2009 we fall in love with Phizzy Pig Tails. Hot on their heels, the ingeniously named, super sticky Reversy Percy arrives in 2010. In 2011 Percy goes veggie (it’s very trendy these days) and a version is made free of gelatine, allowing everyone in on the Percy action. 2013 is a vintage year for Percy, not only does he turn 21 but he meets lemon flavoured Penny, the love of his life. Being the modern pig she is, Penny pops the question and they start planning the ‘pig’ day.
In 2014 Percy & Penny take a gap year. His trip takes him through India where he makes friends with a travelling tiger and all the way to China where he meets a panda pal. The result – Globetrotting Percy of course! But the gallivanting can’t continue and in 2015 Percy’s Happy Family is here. Along with the rest of the nation, Percy jumps on the emoji craze with Percy’s Percynalities showing us all his different faces.
Bringing us bang up to date are these limited edition packs – obviously we’ll be collecting them all.
To celebrate this momentous birthday M&S threw a gorgeous dinner, taking a look at the culinary journey we’ve been through over the past 25 years.
We started with decidedly retro Percy Pig infused vodka cocktails and snacked on mini prawn cocktails with Percy jelly. Our Starter was inspired by Marco Pierre White – seabass in citrus nage with turned courgettes, before moving on to a Heston inspired ricotta tortellini with summer veg, pesto and potato and confit foam which was squirted on at the table. A light meringue with rosemary oil, inspired by Noma’s René, bought us back to the present day, even if it was expertly paired with Asti (the new prosecco we’re told!) Our summery trip down memory lane ended with sparkly sherbet dib-dabs and blackcurrant and parmesan marshmallows.
The playlist was full of 90’s hits – what else? And the setting was finished with the prettiest shades of pink – flowers, place settings, plates – all M&S of course.
Happy Birthday Percy, it’s been a blast! #PercyTurns25
If you fancy recreating your own bday party for Percy, why not try this Cocktail recipe…..
