National Lottery Christmas advert unveiled featuring a determined reindeer and voiceover from Claudia Winkleman

A determined reindeer who believes he can fly takes centre stage in a new festive advert featuring the voice of The Traitors presenter Claudia Winkleman.

TV star Winkleman, 54, who audiences recently saw fronting the celebrity edition of The Traitors on the BBC, can be heard at the end of the advert.

The former Strictly Come Dancing host is a long-term National Lottery ambassador and has been visiting good causes which are funded by The National Lottery over the last year.

The one-minute festive advert has been unveiled as part of The National Lottery’s 2026 Christmas campaign, which embraces the idea that ‘Amazing Things Happen When You Believe’.

It features a reindeer as the hero of the campaign, as he tries to fly repeatedly, but with no success.

His first attempt sees him land in a cold river, followed by a cliff jump that ends with him landing (unhurt) in the bushes below.

While his herd are unimpressed with his airborne attempts, he befriends a robin and eventually manages to soar above the wintry landscape.

Steve Parkinson, Marketing and Brand Director at Allwyn, the operator for The National Lottery, said: “With his determination and cheeky smile the reindeer represents the belief we all have across the festive period. His drive to fly is the inspiration to remind players that amazing things can happen at Christmas.

The reindeer makes several attempts to fly - to no avail (The National Lottery)

“The National Lottery has always helped bring the magic at Christmas and with the help of a flying reindeer this year will be more magical than ever.

“Every National Lottery ticket played goes towards helping generate more than £33m for Good Causes each week, while also creating life-changing winners. This campaign celebrates those moments of possibility and reminds players that, this Christmas, it really could be you.”

The unlikely pair form a friendship (The National Lottery)

This Christmas, Lotto will unveil a giant Must be Won jackpot on 23 December, alongside jackpots on offer from EuroMillions and Powerball.

In December, there will be two special UK Millionaire Maker draws, with one on Christmas Day and one on 29 December, meaning EuroMillions will make 20 UK millionaires with 10 people winning £1 million each in the special draws.