In the early 1990's a popular and well-loved British TV star called Michael Barrymore was at the top of his game. Choosing him to front a TV campaign to promote chocolate biscuits (cookies) and paying him a reported £250,000 fee, made a great deal of sense at the time..

Some years later, the comic and gameshow host fell from grace when a dead man was found floating in the star's swimming pool. The man's death was alleged to have occurred in suspicious circumstances after a night of drugs and "sexual misdemeanor". Barrymore had previously shocked his wife and audience by revealing his true sexuality.

Despite this tragic and in places lurid story, in my opinion the 'Fingers' ads are still works of art. They're probably even funnier today than when  first made, albeit for all the wrong reasons. The tune, the performance, the product description. All perfect. I guarantee that you'll be humming this in the car.  A real gem for the museum of marketing and a perfect presentation of the core brand values inherent in the once family-owned, formerly British confectioner. Thankfully, this very traditional style of promotion that is now making a comeback as advertisers shy away from smart-ass or wacky arthouse creative in favour of direct and uncomplicated feel-good messages. (e.g. BMW selling us "Joy" rather than Driving Machines)

Finally, a little morsel of 'brand trivia'... Cadbury Fingers are not and have never been made by Cadbury. In fact, they're made under license by Premier Foods who pay for the privilege of using the famous script wordmark and purple colour. Yes, yes. I know. I do need to get out more...