Watch the John Lewis Christmas advert 2017 and feel very festive

It's a tear jerker...

John Lewis christmas advert

It's a tear jerker...

Nothing means the start to the festive season like the arrival of the annual John Lewis Christmas advert, and this year's offering is no exception.

The highly anticipated ad had a lot to live up to, with past stars including Monty the Penguin, the man in the moon, and of course the trampolining dog Buster the Boxer, that unfortunately resembled Donald Trump a little too much.

This year, the star of the Christmas advert is Moz the Monster - and he's receiving mixed reviews.

The advert, directed by Oscar-winning Michel Gondry tells a sweet story of friendship between a little boy and an imaginary snoring monster that lives under his bed, with the message, 'For gifts that brighten their world.'

And what's a John Lewis Christmas advert without the perfect soundtrack? They usually opt for an on-trend cover of an old classic, mixing younger and older audiences and this year is no exception. Their 2017 pick? The Beatles' Golden Slumbers, covered by Elbow.

'When I told my ex-girlfriend I was doing the next John Lewis Christmas film she said, "You have big shoes to fill, this John Lewis commerical must make people cry don't forget"', the director explained. 'Last week I showed it to her and she cried - phew!'

It looks like Moz the monster has gone down well. If you'll excuse us, we're off to watch the advert on repeat.

Christmas has officially started.

Jenny Proudfoot
Features Editor

Jenny Proudfoot is an award-winning journalist, specialising in lifestyle, culture, entertainment, international development and politics. She has worked at Marie Claire UK for seven years, rising from intern to Features Editor and is now the most published Marie Claire writer of all time. She was made a 30 under 30 award-winner last year and named a rising star in journalism by the Professional Publishers Association.