Budget rival beats M&S's Colin the Caterpillar in taste test as the party favourite risks being overshadowed

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Colin the Caterpillar has become a party favourite, but the Marks & Spencer cake now risks being overshadowed.

Taste-testers have lifted the lid on a copycaterpillar called Charlie, who can be found in Co-op stores.

All major UK supermarkets have had a go at mimicking original creation Colin – a huge money-spinner for M&S.

But analysis by consumer champion Which? has found that while the retailer came up with the insect idea, it cannot claim to have the best.

Taste-testers have lifted the lid on a copycaterpillar called Charlie (pictured), who can be found in Co-op stores

Colin (pictured) was praised for his 'superior sponge and delicious chocolatey flavour'

The Co-op's Charlie – who costs £8 – earned a winning score of 72 per cent for his 'ultimate combination' of chocolate, sponge and buttercream. 

Colin, priced at £8.50, wiggled into second place with a rating of 71. He was, however, praised for his 'superior sponge and delicious chocolatey flavour'. 

Other imitations put to the test included Tesco's £7.50 Slinky caterpillar cake, coming in at 68 per cent; and Sainsbury's equally priced Wiggles, who fared better on 70 per cent but still lacked 'much-needed moistness'.

At the same price point was Morrisons's offering, Morris, whose 'disappointing' sponge was awarded a score of 70. 

Elsewhere, Waitrose's Cecil the caterpillar achieved only 69 per cent despite an £8.50 price tag.

In 2021, M&S and Aldi were embroiled in an ugly legal dispute over the characteristics of the discount chain's Cuthbert the caterpillar.

M&S claimed the cake was so similar to Colin that it represented 'a breach of intellectual property rights'. 

The row culminated in an Aldi ad showing the rivals involved in a scuffle at a party.

Which? gave a 'dry' Cuthbert 68 per cent – but it is worth noting that he is the best value of the bunch at just £5.49.