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A Look Back at the Most Iconic British TV Adverts of the 2000s
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What is a skeuomorph

Writer: Gregory DevineGregory Devine

When you go to save a document on Word, which button do you press? There are many ways to do it but chances are you select the floppy disk in the top corner of the screen. Ever consider that this is a little odd? Floppy disks have been obsolete for years now, yet we instinctively know that this is the save button.


3d save icon

This is called a skeuomorph—it’s when something new takes on the appearance of what it has replaced. Once you start looking, you’ll realise they’re everywhere.


Open up your smartphone. When you want to make a phone call, you tap on the app that looks like an old fashioned telephone receiver. When you go to send an email, you tap the app with a letter on it. Despite emails being fully digital and them not looking remotely similar to a physical letter, we still know this app’s function and what it replaced.


Various Icons that are Skeuomorph

Skeuomorphs aren’t always physical, they can also be a sound. If you click on your smartphone’s camera app (which looks like a physical camera,) to take a photo, you may notice a shutter sound when you click the button, despite your phone’s camera having no physical shutter to open and close. Real cameras make this noise. However, it’s useful to have some sort of signal that your phone has captured an image. Otherwise, you’d just have to guess that the phone’s camera app worked, which, if you’re taking a posed picture (especially of a large group of people) or you wish to capture a specific moment in time, isn’t very helpful!


The term skeuomorph was coined by archaeologist H. Colley March in 1889, after he noticed that some ancient artefacts retained the design features of older, similar objects, even if these were no longer necessary. Take a look at classical architecture, such as Greek temples—these structures were once built of wood. When building with wood you, of course, need wooden beams. When building with stone, these beams aren’t necessary, yet they’re still incorporated in the stone’s design. Not only is this a homage to the previous way of doing things, it’s also aesthetically pleasing.


Skeuomorphs are a feature of electric cars. These vehicles don’t require cooling vents nor a grill at the front, yet most electric cars still incorporate these in their designs. We’re so used to seeing combustion engine cars with these features that it looks odd to remove them.


There’s no reason for digital keyboards to make a sound when you type, yet, because they represent laptop keyboards and even typewriters (which were really quite noisy), our brains expect a sound to be there. This gives us the illusion that we’re still using a physical keyboard, despite it being on a screen.


a back lit PC keyboard

The notes section in our phones doesn’t need to look like lined paper or a sticky note. The lock screen doesn’t need to make the sound of a padlock, but most do. All these things help us locate and understand them quicker because they bear a direct reference to their previous iteration.


The trend is changing though. We’re moving away from skeuomorphism and instead opting for more minimalist design. The original versions of iOS (the iPhone’s operating system) were incredibly skeuomorphic but newer versions have opted for a simpler appearance. We’re now aware of how to use smartphones, so the need for things to look familiar isn’t as strong.


The Instagram logo used to be that of a Polaroid camera, which captured and printed images instantly; now, the logo is a much simpler representation of a Polaroid—to the point where, if you didn’t know what the logo used to be, you probably wouldn’t guess. Either way, it’s still clear that it represents Instagram.


Skeuomorphs divide opinion…for instance, is there still a need for this kind of design style, or should digital design move on and find its own innovations? Many people haven’t even used the objects skeuomorphs represent, so is there any point to them? Personally, I quite like them, but that might be because I’m not a huge fan of the new super-simplistic designs everyone seems to be using.

A Look Back at the Most Iconic British TV Adverts of the 2000s

A Look Back at the Most Iconic British TV Adverts of the 2000s

13 March 2025

Connor Banks

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The 2000s, a time when TV adverts weren’t just interruptions but mini masterpieces that we actually enjoyed watching. Some made us laugh, some amazed us with their sheer creativity, and others embedded themselves so deeply into British culture that they’re still quoted today.

Let’s take a trip down memory lane and relive some of the most iconic British TV adverts from the 2000s, the ones that weren’t just commercials, but cultural moments.


1. Cadbury’s "Gorilla" (2007)

Who knew that an advert about a drumming gorilla would go down in history? In 2007, Cadbury released a commercial featuring a hyper-realistic gorilla, emotionally preparing himself before launching into Phil Collins’ legendary drum solo from In the Air Tonight.

Why it’s iconic:

Completely unexpected—it had nothing to do with chocolate but everything to do with pure joy.

Perfect soundtrack choice—the slow build-up and release mirrored the satisfaction of indulging in a Dairy Milk bar.

Instant viral success—this was one of the first UK adverts to truly explode online, becoming a cultural phenomenon.

Legacy:

The Gorilla advert proved that advertising didn’t have to be about product-pushing—it could be pure entertainment. It revived Cadbury’s brand and sparked a new wave of creative, surrealist advertising.


2. John Smith’s "No Nonsense" (2000s)

Few adverts in the 2000s captured British humour better than John Smith’s No Nonsense campaign, starring Peter Kay. These adverts were simple, blunt, and brilliantly funny, reinforcing the idea that John Smith’s was a beer for proper blokes, not for fancy nonsense.

Why it’s iconic:

Peter Kay’s everyman comedy—his deadpan humour made these ads stand out.

Catchphrases like "Ave It!" became legendary in football culture.

Relatable British humour—whether it was belly-flopping at a diving competition or smashing a school sports day race, these ads reflected everyday life with a twist.

Legacy:

The No Nonsense campaign made Peter Kay a national treasure and helped cement John Smith’s as the beer of choice for the no-fuss, down-to-earth drinker. Even today, people still shout "Ave It!" on the football pitch.


3. Compare the Meerkat (2009)

"Simples!" If you didn’t say that at least once in the late 2000s, were you even watching TV? What started as a simple insurance comparison site advert became a cultural phenomenon, thanks to a posh, Russian-accented meerkat named Aleksandr Orlov.

Why it’s iconic:

Aleksandr Orlov was an instant star—his snooty but lovable personality made him a household name.

Brilliantly absurd premise—people were mistaking CompareTheMarket.com for CompareTheMeerkat.com, so Aleksandr had to set the record straight.

"Simples!" became a national catchphrase, used by everyone from schoolkids to office workers.

Legacy:

Aleksandr became more famous than the actual company, leading to merchandise, books, spin-offs, and a continued advertising run into the 2020s. The success of the campaign skyrocketed CompareTheMarket.com’s business, proving how powerful a well-executed character can be.


4. Guinness "Surfer" (1999, but huge in the 2000s)

Even though it debuted in 1999, the Guinness Surfer ad remained one of the most talked-about and re-aired commercials throughout the 2000s. A black-and-white cinematic masterpiece, it followed a group of surfers waiting for the perfect wave—only for the waves to turn into giant, galloping white horses.

Why it’s iconic:

Stunning visuals—the white horses bursting through the waves looked mythical and otherworldly.

Powerful narration—with the unforgettable opening line:


"He waits. That’s what he does."


Perfect brand message—just like a slow-poured pint of Guinness, good things come to those who wait.

Legacy:

This advert defined Guinness advertising for years to come. It won numerous awards and is still voted one of the greatest ads of all time.


5. Tango - "You’ve Been Tango’d" (2000s)

Loud, chaotic, and slightly violent—Tango adverts in the 2000s were as bold as the drink itself. The most infamous one? The "Tango Slap", where an orange-painted man ran up to an unsuspecting drinker and slapped them across the face.

Why it’s iconic:

Outrageously funny—it was so ridiculous that people actually copied it.

So controversial it got banned—after kids started recreating the slap in schools, the ad had to be toned down.

Tango’s branding became instantly recognisable—the phrase "You’ve been Tango’d" became part of British pop culture.

Legacy:

While the original slap ad was banned, the "No Nonsense" spirit of Tango continued with new variations, including sumo wrestlers and explosive reactions.


6. Walkers Crisps – Gary Lineker (2000s)

For nearly three decades, Gary Lineker has been the face of Walkers Crisps, and in the 2000s, the adverts perfected the formula—Lineker trying to steal crisps and getting his comeuppance.

Why it’s iconic:

A consistent and lovable campaign—people expected Lineker to appear in every new Walkers ad.

Brilliantly simple humour—whether he was getting outsmarted by kids or fighting over a packet, the ads always entertained.

Memorable catchphrases—especially "No More Mr. Nice Guy."

Legacy:

The Walkers & Lineker partnership is one of the longest-running brand collaborations ever, helping Walkers remain the UK’s top crisp brand.



The 2000s were a golden era for British TV adverts. These weren’t just ads—they were pop culture moments that stuck with us, made us laugh, and sometimes even inspired us. Whether it was a drumming gorilla, a mischievous Lineker, or a Russian meerkat, these ads weren’t just selling products—they were shaping our collective nostalgia.

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