A BELOVED M&S drink branded “better than Baileys” is missing from shelves this Christmas, leaving shoppers devastated.
The Chocolate and Coconut Cream was a cheaper dupe for the famous Baileys Irish Cream, scanning at £10 versus £22.
The indulgent alcoholic drink was also vegan, proving a hit with plant-based customers.
Now, the fan favourite is “no longer available” on the luxury food and clothes brand’s website – and nowhere to be seen on supermarket shelves either.
Disgruntled shoppers took to Reddit to share their disappointment, with one typing: “I used to get M&S chocolate and coconut cream liqueur and it was better than the regular Bailey’s (that I can remember), but for some reason M&S stopped making it.
Another echoed: “Any luck finding it? It doesn’t appear on their website, but I will look out for it the next time I’m near a store.”
A third wrote: “Been looking also, asked my local store and they said they don’t make it anymore, been looking for alternatives and have seen dirty cow and Amarula being mentioned a lot.”
Other users noted that the product had come in and out of stock numerous times over recent years.
Last week, M&S posted on Instagram about a new festive drink, the Mince Pie Liqueur – only to be met with an annoyed shopper asking: “Why did you stop making your chocolate and coconut drink?”
A member of the team responded to the comment, saying: “Our chocolate and coconut cream liqueur isn’t available this year due to some supplier issues.
“However, our Drinks team have said it will be returning at some point if you check back with us next year.”
When contacted by The Sun, a spokesperson for the luxury food and clothes brand again confirmed the news.
They said: “We are constantly reviewing, improving and refreshing our ranges across the Foodhall, reacting to the latest trends as well as customer feedback.
“We have a better-than-ever selection of festive drinks options this year including our brilliant first-to-market White Mulled Wine as well as our super smart light-up Mince Pie Liqueur, both of which are vegan and have been taking social media by storm lately.
“Although our Chocolate & Coconut Irish Cream Liqueur is currently not available, we always listen to customer feedback when reviewing future ranges.”
But, luckily for Baileys lovers, Aldi has its own dupe – the Luxury Edition Irish Cream Liqueur – and its price has recently been slashed to under £5.
Those who like a festive tipple may also decide to try M&S’s Mince Pie Liqueur – which even comes in a light-up bottle.
Shoppers have gone wild on social media for the drink, with over 7,000 likes, comments and shares across Instagram and Facebook.
One fan commented: “Definitely on my list.”
While a second said: “Need to get this weekend!!”
And third added: “Always pulling it out the bag M&S!!! This is so cute.”
But, in more sad news, the posh supermarket announced it was discontinuing its “glorious” Cocoa & Cherry Bircher pot.
Consumer reporter Sam Walker reveals how you can save money on your Christmas shopping.
Limit the amount of presents – buying presents for all your family and friends can cost a bomb.
Instead, why not organise a Secret Santa between your inner circles so you’re not having to buy multiple presents.
Plan ahead – if you’ve got the stamina and budget, it’s worth buying your Christmas presents for the following year in the January sales.
Make sure you shop around for the best deals by using price comparison sites so you’re not forking out more than you should though.
Buy in Boxing Day sales – some retailers start their main Christmas sales early so you can actually snap up a bargain before December 25.
Delivery may cost you a bit more, but it can be worth it if the savings are decent.
Shop via outlet stores – you can save loads of money shopping via outlet stores like Amazon Warehouse or Office Offcuts.
They work by selling returned or slightly damaged products at a discounted rate, but usually any wear and tear is minor.
TALLIA Storm has braved the plunging temperatures and ventured out in a thin skin-tight bodysuit.
The singer, 26, ditched her bra and slipped into the all-in-one before heading to the launch of this year’s Winter Wonderland.
Tallia’s outfit featured a plunging scooped neck and – in a nod to the freezing weather – she teamed it with white faux fur boots, a matching jacket and a hat with ear flaps.
She added a pop of colour with a bright red slick of lipstick and matching manicure.
Prior to the event, which was held in London’s Hyde Park, Tallia popped to the hairdressers to get a bouncy blowdry.
Filming herself in the mirror with a festive coffee cup beside her, she told her followers: “It’s a big day for for Tallia Storm Christmas!!!
“Guess what we are up to?”
X Factor alumni Tallia often finds herself the centre of attention when she attends red carpet events.
Earlier this month, she put on an eye-popping display while celebrating her birthday in London.
She also stepped out in a hot pink two-piece while attending an Elton John movie premiere.
The star left little to the imagination at the London Film Festival premiere of Never Too Late, the movie documenting Elton John’s farewell tour.
She later took to Instagram to reveal her special connection to Sir Elton, 77.
She told her fans: “Celebrating the man, the legend, the greatest ever Sir @eltonjohn who changed my life at 13.
“It still feels like a Disney film that baby Tallia got to open the one and only Elton John’s concert in Scotland with 5 songs at 13!”
Tallia previously explained how Elton hired her for the gig after she gave her demo to his husband David Furnish.
The star is best known for her 2019 stint on The X Factor: The Band. She has also since attempted to find love on Celebs Go Dating.
Earlier this year, Tallia quit the Capital Scotland Breakfast Show a year after she joined as a co-host.
THE President’s Cup will take place in Tolka Park on Friday February 7 with a 7:45pm kick-off.
Damien Duff’s Shelbourne side will face off against FAI Cup winners – managed by Kevin Doherty – in the season curtain-raiser.
It will be the first time either club has taken part in the game which was started in 2014, with Shels winning their first title since 2006 and Drogheda lifting the Cup for the first time in 19 years.
The opening round of the men’s Premier and First Divisions will be played the following weeks. The fixtures for those two leagues and the women’s Premier Division will be released on December 17.
Meanwhile, the installation of an artificial surface has begun at the Carlisle Grounds.
Bray Wanderers were allocated funding for the project back in 2025.
It would bring to six the number of the 20 men’s League of Ireland clubs that have non-grass pitches, although Derry City are hoping to reach agreement with the local council over a return to a natural playing surface.
Athlone Town, Cobh Ramblers, Dundalk and Kerry FC also have artificial surfaces.
A TEENAGER with severe scoliosis was spared a long wait for help — thanks to a nurse who spotted the early signs while treating her in hospital for tonsillitis.
Danielle Millar put her previous back pain down to carrying a heavy schoolbag.
But the 14-year-old learned she had scoliosis when the astute hospital nurse noticed the slight curvature in her spine.
The teenager, from Ardee, Co Louth, then saw it go from seven degrees to a severe 94 degrees within six months — but had become a priority for surgeons.
Two weeks ago, Danielle endured a ten-and-a-half-hour operation to get spinal fusion rods inserted in her back — but she is already back on her feet.
Her parents Christopher and Kelly say they are incredibly proud of their daughter and very thankful to the talented medical team.
They added: “Danielle has been through the mill in the last year and she is still smiling. She is an amazing young woman.”
Over the past nine months, our Kids Can’t Wait campaign has given children waiting for spinal and orthopaedic surgeries a voice in their fight for timely care, as they are left languishing in pain.
Danielle feels she is one of the lucky ones — and says she is sorry for all those with scoliosis, who are suffering daily while waiting for their number to be called on a lengthy waiting list.
Her ordeal began when she was admitted to Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital in Drogheda with tonsillitis in August 2023.
Danielle, who had long suffered with ear and throat problems, said: “I had also been having some back and rib pain, but I thought I just had a naturally large rib cage and I put the back pain down to walking to school with a schoolbag on my back.
“A brilliant male nurse noticed a curve on my spine and sent me for an X-ray which showed a seven-degree curve in my spine.”
Her condition worsened rapidly, probably as the result of a growth spurt linked to puberty.
Although going to a disco or walking for any time was uncomfortable, doctors told her they were amazed she was not in agony.
She was put in traction which pulled her spine almost straight, qualifying her for an operation.
Danielle is still in pain, but making progress.
And she said: “I think I’m very lucky, though. A lot of people are on a waiting list for years and have to suffer all that pain. I’m grateful to have had the operation within a year of being diagnosed and that’s the way it should be for everyone.
“I think everything happens for a reason and I was meant to get tonsillitis and meet that nurse.”
WAITING lists in Ireland have long been a national disgrace.
More than 106,000 children are on hospital waiting lists for all treatments. However, a new source of shame has emerged as 327 children wait for life changing spinal surgeries.
Their conditions are getting worse while they languish on waiting lists.
Such are the delays, many child patients will be outside the therapeutic window when their treatments are approved.
Earlier this month, the Seanad heard how at least one child has become permanently paralysed since the issue was raised publicly before Christmas.
Their plight has been spearheaded by campaigning Senator Tom Clonan, who himself has a child with a disability.
Former Taoiseach Leo Varadkar has even admitted that the health service is failing these kids.
Children are being allowed to deteriorate due to mismanagement, which has allowed the waiting lists to grow.
The Irish Sun’s Kids Can’t Wait campaign aims to shine a light on how the State is failing sick children and give their families a voice.
It will also force the Government to do something to clear the backlog of operations and give these children a chance of living a normal life.
AN EastEnders legend has been unveiled as the fifth Strictly Christmas special contestant.
The festive edition sees celebs perform a one-off dance ballroom in the BBC ballroom.
Tamzin Outhwaite, who played Mel Owen on and off until 2019, has signed up.
She will be dancing with Strictly pro Nikita Kuzmin, who most recently partnered Sam Quek.
The news was confirmed on tonight’s episode of Strictly’s spin-off It Takes Two.
The actress said: “I’m so excited to swap the stage for the Strictly Ballroom this Christmas.
“I’m used to performing in front of a live audience, but this is a whole new experience.
“I can’t wait to immerse myself in all things glitter and sequins.
“Let’s hope the judges show Nikita and I some extra festive cheer this Christmas!”
Tamzin’s other notable projects include New Tricks and Hotel Babylon.
She recently starred opposite Jo Joyner and Angela Griffin in Channel 5 drama The Wives.
But will she be able to impress Craig Revel Horwood, Motsi Mabuse, Anton Du Beke and Shirley Ballas?
Yesterday, Gladiators’ Harry Aikines-Aryeetey – aka Nitro – was confirmed for the Christmas special.
The Team GB sprinter, 36, will be paired with pro dancer Nancy Xu.
Harry has won a number of golds in the European Championships and Commonwealth Games.
Meanwhile, a total of six famous faces will be taking to the dance floor for the festive episode.
STRICTLY Come Dancing's Christmas Special is rolling back around for 2024. Yet who has already scooped the festive Glitterball Trophy?
2005 Darren Gough & Lilia Kopylova
2006 Colin Jackson & Erin Boag
2007 Darren Gough & Lilia Kopylova
2008 Jill Halfpenny & Darren Bennett
2009 Ali Bastian & Brian Fortuna
2010 John Barrowman & Kristina Rihanoff
2011 Charlie Brooks & Vincent Simone
2012 J.B. Gill & Ola Jordan
2013 Rufus Hound & Flavia Cacace
2014 Louis Smith & Aliona Vilani
2015 Harry Judd & Joanne Clifton
2016 Melvin Odoom & Janette Manrara
2017 Katie Derham & Brendan Cole
2018 Aston Merrygold & Janette Manrara
2019 Debbie McGee & Kevin Clifton
2020 —
2021 Anne-Marie & Graziano Di Prima
2022 Alexandra Mardell & Kai Widdrington
2023 Jamie Borthwick & Nancy Xu
Comedian and Last Leg star Josh Widdicombe was the first confirmed name.
His pro partner has been confirmed as Karen Hauer – who danced with Paul Merson in this year’s series.
TV star Vogue Williams and RuPaul’s Drag star Tayce have also signed up.
The Christmas special will air on our screens on December 25th.
