Get the tissues ready! Meerkat set for tearjerking shock exit on Christmas Day
USUALLY it's the soaps that feature shocking story lines on Christmas Day, but this year the adverts look set to have all the drama.
Comparethemarket.com are planning a shock exit for one of their loveable Meerkats during two of the nation's most watched TV programmes on December 25.
Airing during Coronation Street and Downton Abbey, the emotional advert is sure to get the whole family teary-eyed.
The insurance provider plans to keep Meerkat fans guessing who will be the first character to leave the Meerkat gang.
Introduced five years ago, the cute critters have proved to be a hit, with their charismatic leader Aleksandr Orlov clocking up 800k followers on Facebook and 63k on Twitter and counting Stephen Fry and Philip Schofield among his famous fans.
Currently the mob of Meerkats can be seen enjoying themselves in Africa where Aleksandr, Sergei and baby Oleg have been on safari, in between Coronation Street, which they have sponsored since 2011.
Executive producer Kieran Roberts said the next chapter of the Meerkat's story will make Christmas TV gold.
He said: "Christmas is often a time when big story-lines climax and characters can face a dramatic exit.
"On Coronation Street we've said farewell to iconic characters such as Hilda Ogden and Karen McDonald in Christmas episodes and we're planning another heartbreaking farewell this year.
"Meanwhile the departure of an unlikely character this Christmas - one of the meerkats - is also likely to grip the nation.
Gary Barlow stasr meerkat Alek in Corrie ad
"With such affection for the meerkats, this story has all the makings of a classic Christmas Day exit."
Chief meerkat Aleksandr Orlov, owner of fictional company comparethemeerkat.com, added: "It is with great sadness that I am reveal that one of our dear friends from Meerkovo will soon be leaving us.
"I cannot say who, or for what reason, but it will be very much a tearjerker. Keep your eyeballs peeled on Christmas Day to find out…"
