John Lewis premiere heartwarming Lily Allen-featuring Christmas TV ad

British retailer John Lewis has premiered their hotly-anciticpated new Christmas TV ad.

Unveiled on their YouTube channel moments ago, the campaign began earlier this week with a short 5-second teaser inviting viewers to tune in to ITV’s X Factor on Saturday, with the #sleepingbear hashtag.

True to the online rumours which started mid-October, the soundtrack to the two-minute advert features Lily Allen, performing a rendition of Keane’s 2004 hit Somewhere Only We Know. Whilst many thought the ad would never top the retailer’s 2012 spectacular Christmas spot, featuring Gabrielle Aplin’s haunting cover of Frankie Goes To Hollywood’s The Power Of Love, John Lewis‘ latest attempt is simply a perfect piece of creative work that will undoubtedly help increase footfall to the store. The ad will additionally provide further support for Lily Allen’s return to the music industry, after confirming earlier this year that she’ll be ready to debut her first new release in 4 years in March 2014.

Take a watch of the wonderful new John Lewis advert below, as well as the brand’s infamous 2011 & 2012 campaigns, and let us know your thoughts, and hit the iTunes link too to buy Lily Allen’s cover of Somewhere Only we Know, now:

UPDATE: John Lewis have unveiled the ‘making-of’ for the new visual, check it out below:

John Lewis Christmas Advert 2013 – The Bear & the Hare

The Making of ‘The Bear & the Hare’

John Lewis ‘The Bear & The Hare’ – The Making Of from Blink on Vimeo.

John Lewis Christmas Advert 2012 – The Journey

John Lewis Christmas Advert 2012 – The Long Wait