John Lewis Christmas advert celebrates giving with Scott Thomas

Summarised from 3 outlets · Updated 3 Nov, 12:59 · Archive

John Lewis's 2026 Christmas advert stars Dame Kristin Scott Thomas as a grandmother finding affordable gifts for her grandchildren.

John Lewis has released its 2026 Christmas advert, the 20th edition of the retailer's annual festive campaign. The three-minute film stars Dame Kristin Scott Thomas as grandmother Gloria, who decides to find meaningful gifts for her grandchildren rather than giving cash. With help from Pickles, a vintage Little Snoopy Pull Along Toy voiced by comedian Paul Whitehouse, Gloria travels in a pink tuk-tuk down Oxford Street to select presents.

When the family arrives on Christmas Day, Gloria reveals a room transformed with sparkling lights, disco balls and a record player. All items in the room have either been recycled from elsewhere in her house or cost less than £100. The advert also stars EastEnders actor Jahsaiah Williams as one of Gloria's grandchildren, Freddie, alongside his sister Maggie.

John Lewis says the campaign was made 'with the cost-of-living crisis at the heart of it', aiming to show that creating magical memories need not be expensive. The advert uses the tagline 'Don't give up on giving'. The soundtrack features a new cover of the Rolling Stones classic 'You Can't Always Get What You Want' by Geordie musician Sam Fender, released as his first new music since his previous single.

How it is being reported

• John Lewis Christmas advert divides fans - some say it ‘missed the mark’John Lewis’ 2026 Christmas advert, starring Dame Kristin Scott Thomas and Paul Whitehouse, divides viewers after its November 3 release.Telegraph & Argus · 3 Nov, 13:38
• Watch John Lewis Christmas advert 2026 in full starring Dame Kristin Scott Thomas with Sam Fender soundtrackSam Fender covers Rolling Stones classic, ‘You Can’t Always Get What You Want’ for the 2026 John Lewis Christmas advert.Yorkshire Post · 3 Nov, 12:11
• John Lewis Christmas advert 2026 all about 'giving' as Sam Fender covers a classicThe advert stars Dame Kristin Scott Thomas and EastEnders actor Jahsaiah WilliamsHuddersfield Examiner · 3 Nov, 08:52

In this story: John Lewis · Dame Kristin Scott Thomas · Sam Fender · Jahsaiah Williams · Paul Whitehouse · Oxford Street

This summary was written by AI from the headlines and standfirsts above, and states as fact only what at least two outlets report. How we use AI · Report a problem · Corrections log