He’s often seen in tough man roles, from London gangster Alfie Solomons in Peaky Blinders to tormented superhero Venom in the Marvel franchise.

But Tom Hardy’s latest venture is a distinct detour from his usual gruff, as he gushes over sultry sprouts in the latest Christmas advert for Marks & Spencer.

The British actor, 43, teamed up with the upmarket grocer for the fifth of the festive TV placements for 2020,  which aired last night to the delight of many fans, who took to social media to swoon over the Oscar-nominated star for making the often maligned Christmas vegetable ‘sexy’.

‘I hate sprouts, but Tom Hardy narrating this makes me think I could eat them and only them for the rest of my life,’ one Twitter user said.

Marks & Spencer are releasing nine adverts for Christmas this year, and to date the ads have heard from the much-loved voices of Olivia Colman, Naomie Harris, Jeremy Irons and Dame Julie Walters.

Last night, the fifth ad hit screens featuring Tom Hardy as he discussed ‘100 per cent British, gorgeous, cheeky sprouts’.

In his widely recognised sensuous tone, the west London born star says: ‘Bring on the sprouts! 100 per cent British gorgeousness, ah cheeky, farm fresh specially selected, I do love a sprout. 

After describing varieties sold by the British high street retailer, he adds: ‘and if your one of these strange people who doesn’t like sprouts, think again, these aren’t just any sprouts, these are M&S sprouts.’

Tom Hardy's latest venture is a distinct detour from his usual gruff, as he swoons over sultry sprouts in the latest Christmas advert for Marks & Spencer

Tom Hardy's latest venture is a distinct detour from his usual gruff, as he swoons over sultry sprouts in the latest Christmas advert for Marks & Spencer

Tom Hardy’s latest venture is a distinct detour from his usual gruff, as he swoons over sultry sprouts in the latest Christmas advert for Marks & Spencer

Last night, the fifth ad hit screens featuring Tom Hardy discuss '100 per cent British, gorgeous, cheeky sprouts'.

Last night, the fifth ad hit screens featuring Tom Hardy discuss '100 per cent British, gorgeous, cheeky sprouts'.

Last night, the fifth ad hit screens featuring Tom Hardy discuss ‘100 per cent British, gorgeous, cheeky sprouts’.

Fans were delighted by the advert, quickly taking to Twitter after it debuted last night.

‘Tom Hardys M&S ad… Phew he can even makes sprouts sexy,’ wrote one.

‘Only Tom Hardy could make sprouts sexy,’ another added.

‘Ok M&S have an advert about sprouts & Tom Hardy is narrating it…… that is all,’ a third penned.

The ad even had some sprout haters saying they were going to try the green vegetable. 

Fans were delighted by the advert, quickly taking to Twitter after it debuted last night, with some haters saying the actor had converted them to the vegetable

Fans were delighted by the advert, quickly taking to Twitter after it debuted last night, with some haters saying the actor had converted them to the vegetable

Fans were delighted by the advert, quickly taking to Twitter after it debuted last night, with some haters saying the actor had converted them to the vegetable

‘I love both Tom Hardy and Brussels Sprouts! So that @marksandspencer advert where the great man waxes lyrical about sprouts is the very definition of food porn!’ said one. 

‘I’ve just seen the M&S advert with Tom Hardy talking about sprouts and I have never wanted sprouts more!’ added another.

‘How can you not like sprouts when they’re voiced by Tom Hardy?’ questioned one Twitter user.  

‘Love the M&S adverts where Tom Hardy is seductively talking about sprouts!’ wrote a third.   

‘I’d eat Tom Hardy’s sprouts for Xmas and the rest of eternity,’ confessed another. 

Tom, who has been widely tipped to be the next James Bond, is among many famous faces to appear in the M&S adverts.

In one ad, London-born Oscar-nominated actress Naomie Harris bring two of the star products from this year's festive M&S Food range to life, including the M&S Light Globe Gin Liqueur and Triple Chocolate Panettone. Naomie is pictured in February at the BAFTAs

In one ad, London-born Oscar-nominated actress Naomie Harris bring two of the star products from this year's festive M&S Food range to life, including the M&S Light Globe Gin Liqueur and Triple Chocolate Panettone. Naomie is pictured in February at the BAFTAs

In one ad, London-born Oscar-nominated actress Naomie Harris bring two of the star products from this year’s festive M&S Food range to life, including the M&S Light Globe Gin Liqueur and Triple Chocolate Panettone. Naomie is pictured in February at the BAFTAs

In one, Oscar-nominee Naomie Harris bring two of the star products from this year’s festive M&S Food range to life, including the  M&S Light Globe Gin Liqueur and Triple Chocolate Panettone.   

In the ad, the James Bond star gushes over the Triple Chocolate Panettone – which is made from dark chocolate, chocolate sauce and white chocolate chips.

She also lusts over the ‘gorgeous’ M&S Light Globe Gin Liqueur adding the famous line ‘these are not just gifts, these are M&S Christmas gifts’.

M&S Food had put charity firmly at its heart for this year’s campaign. 

In a year when charity funding has declined almost 25 per cent,  the food retailer is donating nearly £2 million to good causes.

Central to this, M&S Food is shining a light on a number of important charities, partnering with nine world-famous actors who have added their unmistakable voices to nine brand new Christmas food ads.

As well as donations on behalf of the actors, M&S Food has selected 10 colleagues from across the UK who are its most active charity volunteers, giving donations to the colleagues’ chosen charities including Shelter, Together for Short Lives and the 35 Sparks charities that M&S supports. Through Sparks, M&S has donated £7.3 million since 2015. 

Source: Food Recipes and News