The young actor who starred in this year’s John Lewis advert managed to make his appearance in the much anticipated ad a heartwarming surprise for his mother.
Breakout star Jack Alldridge stars in this year’s traditional tear-jerker as a doting son who, in an effort to show his love and affection for his old school raver dad, gifts him a vinyl record of Alison Limerick’s 1990 dance tune Where Love Lives.
As he plays the tune out loud, the father is transported back to an overcrowded nightclub full of sweaty ravers, neon outfits and bright LED lights – in an apparent nod to the dance scene that captivated the 80s and 90s.
Then, as a modern version of the track echoes softly in the background, the scene shifts back to the present day, where the embarrassed teen is pulled into an embrace by his emotional dad.
While, the two minute ad hasn’t been an instant roaring success like previous John Lewis campaigns, it has delighted dads reminiscent of their old school 90s raver days, with some arguing it may be the company’s best ever.
But, it seems behind the scenes there is a touching story that may be even more compelling than the advert itself as Jack’s mother was completely unaware he would even be starring in it.
Instead, Jack wanted his appearance in the beloved festive flick to be a surprise and for his mother to see it on TV for the first time.
While she has kept her reaction to his heartwarming idea under wraps, Jack’s ‘proud’ father Martin has already revealed that he ‘loved’ the ad and even shed a tear while watching it.
Breakout star Jack Alldridge (left) stars in this year’s traditional tear-jerker as a doting son who gifts his raver father (right) a vinyl record of Alison Limerick’s dance tune Where Love Lives
Jack (left) wanted his appearance in the beloved festive flick to be a surprise for his mother (right) and so didn’t tell her he was going to be in the advert
People have already taken to social media to praise Jack for his ‘great’ performance
Jack’s dad posted on social media: ‘I’m so bloody proud of my so determined and lovely son Jack and congratulate my wonderful boy for his first scene on TV in John Lewis new Christmas Add (sic).
‘Its so good and Jacks just totally being himself so natural.
‘Love you so much my boy, I am and Berni loves it and says well done she also loved it.
‘I did cry watching but such a happy one mate see you very soon xxxx’.
A number of Martin’s friends were quick to congratulate the proud father and his son for the ‘great’ performance.
Having appeared as a recurring role in the Netflix series Death by Lightning, Jack’s appearance in the John Lewis Advert seemingly marks his first big break into the entertainment industry.
Jack graduated from the Guildford School of Acting in 2023 and has since landed a guest-lead role in BBC’s Call the Midwife.
He is also set to star in ITV’s upcoming series The Lady and will appear alongside lead actor John Cena in Apple TV’s Matchbox film – based on the brand of the same name – which is set to be released next year.
Jack’s ‘proud’ father Martin (right) revealed that he ‘loved’ the ad and even shed a tear while watching it.
Jack pictured with his father Martin after graduating from the Guildford School of Acting in 2023
Jack (pictured) is set to star alongside lead actor John Cena in Apple TV’s Matchbox film – based on the brand of the same name – which is set to be released next year
While there has been significant praise for Jack’s role, the ad itself has received mixed reactions from divided fans.
John Lewis left some viewers unimpressed, with one person writing on X: ‘What a crock – again! These aren’t Christmas adverts anymore. Stupid soundtrack, pointless “message”. Urgh!’
‘Are John Lewis in competition for the worst Christmas advert? If so, they won,’ another critic wrote.
‘Such a disappointment John Lewis. The Christmas advert doesn’t feel like Christmas at all. It could be an advert about a birthday gift,’ a third added, while a fourth said: ‘I thought the son had died. It was a bit depressing really. Bring back the cute ads!’
However, while some called for sweeter ads from the retailer, others were glad of the representation, with several old school ravers delighted by the commercial.
‘Maybe it’s just the old 90s raver and DJ in me (yes, I had a life before being middle-aged) or I’m clearly bang on the demographic as a father with a teenager, but is this the best John Lewis ad ever?,’ said one impressed viewer.
‘I’m an old school raver with teenage kids….Love the advert,’ said a second, while a third added: ‘John Lewis, what you doing to me? That dad hug at the end though.’
Another individual admitted: ‘Bawling at the new John Lewis Christmas ad. Best one yet for me.’
This year’s John Lewis ad sees a dad transported back to a sweaty, overcrowded nightclub (pictured) after being gifted a vinyl by his teen son
Then, as a modern version of the track echoes softly in the background, the scene shifts back to the present day, where the embarrassed teen anxiously watches his father’s reaction
The pair share a quiet moment before the man starts dancing again, forcing a laugh from the teenager
The commercial, created by Saatchi & Saatchi, has been released online this morning before airing on TV later today during The Great British Bake Off final on Channel 4.
Rosie Hanley, John Lewis’s brand director, told the Daily Mail that while this year’s advert has ‘all the DNA’ the brand’s festive campaigns are known for, it is also quite ‘unexpected’.
The vinyl disc will be sold exclusively at John Lewis, with Ms Limerick’s version on the A-side and the new version by British rapper Labrinth as the B-side.
All profits from the £14.99 record will go to the firm’s Building Happier Futures campaign to help people who have grown up in care.
Ms Limerick, 66, said she ‘squealed like a child’ when she heard that her song would be in the ad, adding that ‘the storytelling, joyful resolution at the end, a thoughtful gift… are John Lewis through and through’.
