Harry the Hamster reimagines Wham’s Last Christmas for Albert Heijn

Albert Heijn

Forty years after Wham!’s iconic Last Christmas first graced the airwaves, Andrew Ridgeley steps back into the spotlight—sort of sharing the screen with Harry the Hamster, the mascot of European supermarket chain Albert Heijn.

Call Harry, “The Whamster”

In a nostalgic and self-aware holiday commercial from TBWA\Neboko, Ridgeley reimagines his role in one of the most beloved Christmas songs of all time, while paying tribute to his late musical partner, George Michael.

The ad, a split-screen homage to the original 1984 Last Christmas music video, juxtaposes the timeless footage with new scenes starring Ridgeley and Harry. The poignant visuals suggest a reunion across decades, resonating with fans of the MTV generation and tugging at the heartstrings of viewers who grew up with the unforgettable holiday classic. Watch below:



“At first, I had to convince him to be part of the project,” says TBWA\Neboko’s chief creative officer, Darre van Dijk. “I visited Sony’s headquarters in London, showed him a previous film featuring the hamster, and he loved it.”

Ridgeley needed a little time to warm up to the idea. “I didn’t get an immediate yes,” van Dijk recalls, “but he agreed a week later.” A few weeks after that, Ridgeley joined the creative team in Amsterdam for dinner before filming his scenes the next day.

“I am so pleased to have been a part of this year’s Albert Heijn Christmas advert,” Ridgeley shares. “Its affectionate and clever tribute to Last Christmas, achieved by its playful and faithful recreation of the video, is extremely well-produced and a testament to the song’s place in the contemporary Christmas landscape.”

The campaign celebrates the enduring magic of Last Christmas while giving it a playful twist through the antics of Harry the Hamster. The side-by-side split screen comparison of the original music video and the ad adds an emotional layer, making it a must-watch for longtime fans and new listeners alike.

With Ridgeley and Harry teaming up, Albert Heijn delivers a holiday miracle: a joyful nod to Wham!’s legacy and the enduring spirit of Christmas nostalgia.


Jennifer Love Hewitt adds the golden touch to Ferrero Rocher


Albert Heijn

Forty years after Wham!’s iconic Last Christmas first graced the airwaves, Andrew Ridgeley steps back into the spotlight—sort of sharing the screen with Harry the Hamster, the mascot of European supermarket chain Albert Heijn.

Call Harry, “The Whamster”

In a nostalgic and self-aware holiday commercial from TBWA\Neboko, Ridgeley reimagines his role in one of the most beloved Christmas songs of all time, while paying tribute to his late musical partner, George Michael.

The ad, a split-screen homage to the original 1984 Last Christmas music video, juxtaposes the timeless footage with new scenes starring Ridgeley and Harry. The poignant visuals suggest a reunion across decades, resonating with fans of the MTV generation and tugging at the heartstrings of viewers who grew up with the unforgettable holiday classic. Watch below:



“At first, I had to convince him to be part of the project,” says TBWA\Neboko’s chief creative officer, Darre van Dijk. “I visited Sony’s headquarters in London, showed him a previous film featuring the hamster, and he loved it.”

Ridgeley needed a little time to warm up to the idea. “I didn’t get an immediate yes,” van Dijk recalls, “but he agreed a week later.” A few weeks after that, Ridgeley joined the creative team in Amsterdam for dinner before filming his scenes the next day.

“I am so pleased to have been a part of this year’s Albert Heijn Christmas advert,” Ridgeley shares. “Its affectionate and clever tribute to Last Christmas, achieved by its playful and faithful recreation of the video, is extremely well-produced and a testament to the song’s place in the contemporary Christmas landscape.”

The campaign celebrates the enduring magic of Last Christmas while giving it a playful twist through the antics of Harry the Hamster. The side-by-side split screen comparison of the original music video and the ad adds an emotional layer, making it a must-watch for longtime fans and new listeners alike.

With Ridgeley and Harry teaming up, Albert Heijn delivers a holiday miracle: a joyful nod to Wham!’s legacy and the enduring spirit of Christmas nostalgia.


Jennifer Love Hewitt adds the golden touch to Ferrero Rocher