Ferrero revives discontinued UK Wonka range after 12 years

Wonka chocolate bars and sweets were inspired by Roald Dahl’s 1964 novel Charlie and the Chocolate Factory and its film adaptations.

The confectionery brand dates back to 1971, but it didn't come to the UK until the 1980s.

Rowntree acquired the Wonka brand in the UK in 1986, before it became part of the Nestlé portfolio after the company bought Rowntree Mackintosh in 1988.

Under Nestlé, Wonka became a recognised confectionery range in the UK and Ireland, selling products inspired by the fictional sweets from Dahl's books, including Nerds, Gobstoppers and Fizz Wiz.

Nestlé also launched Wonka-branded chocolate bars in the UK.

A major push came around the release of Tim Burton’s 2005 film Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, starring Johnny Depp as Willy Wonka.

Despite another relaunch in 2013, falling sales forced Nestlé to discontinue its Wonka range in 2014.

Nestlé continued to own the wider Wonka confectionery brand until 2018, when it sold it to Ferrero.

Ferrero launches new Wonka range in the UK

Ferrero has now relaunched Wonka in the UK, releasing a new range of chocolates and sweets.

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The confectionery company said: "For more than 60 years, Wonka has been associated with imagination, invention and extraordinary moments.

"Today, Ferrero is bringing that universe to life, to create an all-new confectionery range, combining the world of Wonka with its own R&D expertise, creativity and commitment to quality."

UK head of research and development at Ferrero, Gary Youren, added: "What was important to us was to remember that, in the books and films, people loved Wonka products not only because they were zany or strange, but because they were delicious."

"We wanted products that tasted great, with some surprising twists."

The new Wonka range includes:

• Chocolate Magic Hats
• Purpleypurple Caramel Flavour Chocolate bar
• Milk Chocolate Oompa Loompa
• Magic Garden Lemon & Lime Ropes
• Blueberry & Strawberry Oompa Loompa Gummies
• Wonka Limited Edition Kinder Joy

Ferrero’s Wonka range has already begun rolling out in stores across the UK.

Mr Youren said: "We work in a chocolate factory, and for years people have compared our roles to Willy Wonka’s, so to actually do that ‘for real’ was amazingly exciting."

What do shoppers think of the new Wonka range?

Shoppers have shared their excitement about the return of Wonka products on social media, with one Facebook post from Newfoodsuk receiving more than 1.6k likes.

One fan commented: "Ok I need the whole range."

Another added: "I need these."

A third person said: "Ohh these look so magical!"

Other Facebook users reminisced about the old Wonka bars.

One chocolate-lover wrote: "The Johnny Depp Wonka bars were elite."

A second posted: "Bring back the popping candy bar!!"

Which new Wonka chocolate or sweet are you most looking forward to trying? Let us know in the poll above or in the comments below.