If you've lived in the UK for any length of time, and have visited a Marks & Spencer, then you may have come across the brand's famous character: Percy Pig. The character first burst onto the scene in 1992 and has become something of an icon. The sweets are soft, gummy raspberry and strawberry flavoured, in the shape of the cartoon pig's face. Here are the top 10 most amazing facts we've found about Britain's favourite pig!

#10 Holiday Percy

Every year during Halloween and Christmas, limited edition themed bags of Percy Pigs are sold up and down the country!

#9 Percy and Pals

Percy isn't the only character in his universe! In 2002, cola cow and orange-strawberry sheep were introduced in the form of Percy and Pals!

#8 Globetrotting Percy

The life of Percy Pig is a very detailed one! In 2014, the character took a so-called 'gap year' to travel the world - resulting in new characters such as mango-flavoured Timmy tiger and blackcurrant-flavoured Poppy Panda.

#7 Fibreglass Percy

In April of this year, M&S planned to install a giant fibreglass figure of Percy Pig on top of one its stores in Stevenage, for a 12-month period. Unsurprisingly, the four-metre high Percy turned many heads on the motorway as it was transported to the store!

#6 Christmas Advert

Christmas adverts have become something of big deal in the UK as of late, with many big retailers competing to make the most poignant and memorable adverts. In Christmas 2021, M&S decided to feature Percy Pig, bringing the character to life on screen for the first time ever, and was voiced by the very famous Tom Holland!

#5 Beyond Sweets

The Percy Pig range has expanded over the years to more than just sweets. Now, you can buy all kinds of Percy Pig paraphernalia, such as patterned face masks, children's pyjamas, dining sets, napkins, cookie cutters and plush toys!

#4 10 Percy Pigs every second

According to M&S's website, 16 million bags of Percy Pig sweets are sold every year - that's 400 million individual sweets, or 10 sweets every second!

#3 Veggie Percy

Percy Pigs are completely vegetarian! back in 2011, a vegetarian version of the sweets made without gelatine were introduced - identified by their green ears instead of the usual red/pink. As of recent, M&S have made the entire range of Percy Pig sweets gelatine-free, meaning even more people can enjoy this famous piggy, and his friends!

#2 Percy's love life

When we said the life of Percy Pig was detailed, we weren't joking! In 2013, the lemon and vanilla flavoured Penny Pig is introduced as Percy's girlfriend! In 2018, it was announced that the two were to be married!

#1 Percy turns 30!

This year marks the 30th anniversary since Percy was first created, and M&S have released a new range of items including a gift set, chocolate coins and even a Percy Pig themed baking kit! We're so ready to celebrate the trademarked characters big year, and we can't help but wonder what's in store for Percy and his friends in the future. Whatever that may be, the legacy Percy has left behind is nothing short of iconic. Here's to 30 more years!

Find Percy Pig's and more at British Essentials.