Categories: Food

Greggs advent calendar swaps Jesus for a sausage roll

Image: Wiki Commons

Bakery chain Greggs has apologised for substituting Jesus for a sausage roll in an image for its first ever advent calendar.

The nativity scene, depicting the three wise men gathered around the crib with a sausage roll inside, is said to have offended Christians and commercialised religious themes.

In a statement featured in a BBC Newsbeat report, Greggs said: “We’re really sorry to have caused any offence, this was never our intention.”

The controversial image is part of the promotional material for its advent calendar, featuring a collection of festive scenes with a Greggs’ makeover, which goes on sale next Monday in selected Greggs shops across the UK for £24.

Following an engaging public response on social media, Greggs received accusations of offensive commercialisation and criticism over the appropriateness of the scene. Twitter users, who reacted to the controversy of the image with both humour and insightfulness, contributed to the wider debate over religion, commercial and popular culture.


Daniel Webster, a spokesperson for The UK Evangelical Alliance, told Newsbeat: “Every year some company creates a Christmas controversy for commercial gain. It seems to get earlier this year.”

Despite a wave of public disapproval, the advent calendar will not be withdrawn.

Words: Asya Gadzheva | Subbing: Kate Kūlniece

Voice of London

Recent Posts

Escaping the rent trap – Welcome to the UK’s housing crisis

As the cost of living in the UK continues to rise, renters are facing an…

2 years ago

Fashion trends prediction for 2023

According to various fashion editors, critics and publications, 2023 will be a mesh between continuing…

2 years ago

BLACKPINK take over the O2

The biggest girl group in the world shut down the O2 arena in December. The…

2 years ago

Does museum glass cause more harm than good to oil paintings?

With many paintings in danger of damage, are museums protecting the longevity of their valuables?…

2 years ago

Chelsea are undefeated since the World Cup as they face Man City on Thursday

Chelsea F.C. have gotten off to a good start since Christmas and haven't lost a…

2 years ago

Tottenham falls behind in the Champions League race

Tottenham Hotspur lost their first game since Christmas in a 2-0 defeat to Aston Villa…

2 years ago