Iceland to let loose animatronic orangutan after Christmas ad ban

Retailer's choice highlighting impact of palm oil production is deemed too political for TV

Iceland is to unleash a life-size animatronic orangutan on the streets of the UK after its Christmas advert highlighting the impact of palm oil production was banned for breaching political advertising rules.

The supermarket chain has turned to special effects technology befitting Hollywood to create an ultra-realistic robotic orangutan for a stunt to raise awareness of the plight facing the species from deforestation of its habitat for palm oil production.

The orangutan, created by a team who have worked on films and TV shows including Doctor Who and Sherlock, will first appear clinging to a Christmas tree in Coin Street, south London, before moving to other locations, including Oxford Street and several parks in the capital.

It will then appear at a number of Iceland stores around the country, including Manchester and Birmingham, apparently "searching for a new home". The replica orangutan is controlled remotely and by a specialist puppeteer who has studied the ape's movements.

Last week, Iceland's rebadging of an animated short film was rejected by Clearcast, the body that vets adverts, for breaching rules banning political advertising in the 2003 Communications Act.

The ban prompted a public outcry, with stars including James Corden, Anna Friel and Paloma Faith supporting a campaign to allow it to be aired on TV.

This commercial was banned from TV for being too political. I think everyone should see it x pic.twitter.com/ns2XnGSnv6