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John Lewis has returned to form for their heartwarming 2025 Christmas advert (Picture: John Lewis/PA Wire) It’s been a long time coming, but John Lewis has finally delivered a Christmas advert that is up there with their best. Trust us – you’re going to need tissues at the ready, as the retailer’s 2025 ad is a heartwarming tear-jerker that’ll make you want to hug your loved ones as tightly as possible. In a story reminiscent of The Long Wait – which, in my opinion, is the best festive advert John Lewis has ever made – the new story centres on a teenage boy and his dad, and how a meaningful gift can suffice when you can’t find the words to express how much you care about someone. The release of the John Lewis Christmas advert has become one of the most highly anticipated highlights of the British pop culture calendar, with past golden adverts including The Bear and the Hare, The Man on the Moon, and Monty the Penguin. Many people have felt as though the past couple of festive films released by John Lewis have been subpar, even if they still managed to spread joy to the masses. Thankfully, the retail giant’s latest short film marks a return to glorious form, set to the upbeat tune of Alison Limerick’s 1990 banger Where Love Lives. In the advert, a man finds an unopened present addressed to him under the Christmas tree (Picture: John Lewis/PA Wire) The gift is from his teenage son, who is clearly anxious about what his father will think of it (Picture: John Lewis/PA Wire) It then transitions into a more stripped-back version by globally-acclaimed artist Labrinth that’ll send chills racing up your spine. What’s the story of the John Lewis 2025 Christmas advert? The story, which is also titled Where Love Lives, begins on Christmas Day, where a family is tidying up in their house after opening their presents. A teenage boy, who’s listening to music with headphones on, keeps glancing anxiously in the direction of the Christmas tree, where his dad is clearing up the wrapping paper and stumbles across a present addressed to him that he hadn’t spotted before. As the dad picks up the present –which is clearly from his son – the boy races out of the room, seemingly anxious about what his father will think of the gift. The dad opens the wrapping to discover a vinyl of Alison Limerick’s Where Love Lives. As he places the vinyl on the record player, he’s transported back to a dancefloor in the 90s, where a crowd of people are beaming and sweating as they move in rhythm with the music. The man appears surprised to have received the present, which is a vinyl of Alison Limerick’s 1990 banger Where Love Lives (Picture: John Lewis/PA Wire) He’s transported to a bustling dancefloor filled with young people dancing (Picture: John Lewis/PA Wire) While the man is initially swept up in the joy of the music and dancing, his face drops as he spots his son across the crowd, the teenager staring at him with a solemn expression on his face. The crowd disappears, and the dad beckons for the teenager to walk towards him. When the camera focuses back on his son, he’s now a toddler, running enthusiastically towards his dad. Then, as the dad scoops him up into his arms, his son is now back to being a baby, staring up into his father’s eyes with awe. The man is transported from the dancefloor back to his house, where he’s facing his son in the living room. After spotting his son across the crowd, the teenager transforms into a toddler (Picture: John Lewis/PA Wire) He then becomes a baby, as he’s held in his father’s arms (Picture: John Lewis/PA Wire) Which of these beloved John Lewis adverts is your favourite? The Long WaitCheck The Man on the MoonCheck Monty the PenguinCheck The Boy and the PianoCheck The Bear and the HareCheck The JourneyCheck A Tribute to GiversCheck Want to get bespoke updates on the TV shows you love? Sign up to Metro's TV newsletters and tell us which ones you can't get enough of Show Expand Options Select your shows for TV news tailored to you Close Select All Select All Big Brother Big Brother Britain's Got Talent Britain's Got Talent Celebrity Big Brother Celebrity Big Brother Doctor Who Doctor Who Great British Bake Off Great British Bake Off I'm A Celeb I'm A Celeb Love Island Love Island Netflix Netflix Strictly Come Dancing Strictly Come Dancing The Apprentice The Apprentice The Traitors The Traitors Email I agree to receive newsletters from Metro I agree to receive newsletters from Metro Sign UpSign UpThis site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply. Your information will be used in line with our Privacy Policy His eyes well up with tears as he pulls the boy in for a tight embrace, one that they both clearly need and have been wanting from each other for a long time. The aim of the John Lewis advert this year is to convey the message: ‘If you can’t find the words, find the gift.’ I’ll admit it – my eyes were a bit leaky too as the short film came to an end. While the advert is a completely new story, and the first time in 18 years of Christmas campaigns that they’ve focused specifically on a father and son, it bears a strong resemblance to The Long Wait. The Long Wait was released in 2011 and followed a young boy who couldn’t stop counting the days down until Christmas. At first, the viewer thinks that he can’t wait for the big day so that he can open his presents, but it turns out that the whole time, he’s just been waiting to give a special present to his parents. While he might not have been able to express his love in words, the boy was able to do so by bonding with his dad over their shared passion for music (Picture: John Lewis/PA Wire) Alison ‘squealed’ when she found out that her song was going to be used in the ad (Picture: John Lewis/PA Wire) After being asked about the parallel by Metro, a John Lewis representative told us and other media: ‘I wouldn’t say it was a conscious choice, but there is a bit of a coming of age about the boy and that relationship. You’re not the first person to observe that. ‘It just really shows the importance of retaining that element of thoughtful gifting and really clear, single-minded messaging throughout all of our advertising.’ The new film serves as a powerful reminder that even if you don’t have the right words to say, it’s never too late to show your loved ones how much you care. What is the John Lewis 2025 Christmas advert song and who sings it? The song chosen to be featured in the John Lewis 2025 Christmas advert is Alison Limerick’s Where Love Lives, which was originally released in 1990 and was hailed as one of the greatest dance songs of all time by Billboard this year. Then, as the short film becomes more emotional, and the dad is looking at a younger version of his son, it transitions into a newly reimagined version by Labrinth. Labrinth said that he felt ‘honoured’ to be a part of the 2025 John Lewis advert (Picture: Ian West/PA Media Assignments/PA Wire) Alison said that she ‘squealed like an excited child’ when she heard that her hit song was going to be in the advert. ‘Music has always had the power to bring all kinds of peeps together, but I hope this year’s John Lewis Christmas advert will give those who see it a new, emotional connection with the song – especially with what Labrinth has created. His gentle version is just so beautiful; it’s sure to fill the heart with love,’ she said. Labrinth added: ‘To think a boy like me from East London, Hackney, who grew up watching this iconic advert would one day reimagine a classic and compose a piece of music for John Lewis’s forward-thinking direction is a big deal for me. ‘This advert is embedded in British Christmas culture and I miss home, so I’m honoured to be a part of it.’ Got a story? If you’ve got a celebrity story, video or pictures get in touch with the Metro.co.uk entertainment team by emailing us celebtips@metro.co.uk, calling 020 3615 2145 or by visiting our Submit Stuff page – we’d love to hear from you.
