John Lewis Christmas advert splits opinion: Sam Fender wins praise, but ‘spoilt’ grandchildren spark a backlash

The 2026 John Lewis Christmas advert has arrived to a familiar mix of fanfare and fault-finding, with the soundtrack winning warm words from a Rolling Stone while the story on screen has left some viewers cold.

A glamorous grandmother and a cost of living backlash

The film stars Dame Kristin Scott Thomas as a grandmother searching for the perfect gifts for her grandchildren. According to The Standard, it also features a pull-along wooden dog voiced by comedian Paul Whitehouse. The Independent reports that the grandmother’s opulent surroundings have led some critics to call the ad tone deaf during a cost of living crisis. Its writer Katie Rosseinsky argued that the glossy portrayal fails to reflect the financial pressures facing families this festive season.

Parents have taken issue with the children. Users on Mumsnet described the grandchildren as ungrateful and rude, and headlines about “ungrateful kids” and a “glamour gran” show how quickly that line of criticism has spread.

Industry verdict: funny and well cast, but less moving

Not every assessment is negative. Analysts at Kantar praised the humour and the casting, though they noted the film lacks the emotive punch of earlier campaigns. That is a notable caveat for a series that has built its reputation on tugging at heartstrings. The sources do not include viewing figures or polling, so how far the criticism reflects the wider public remains unclear. What they do show is a split between those who enjoy the comedy and those who find the setting out of touch.

Sam Fender’s Rolling Stones cover earns Jagger’s approval

The music has had a far smoother ride. Sam Fender covers the Rolling Stones’ “You Can’t Always Get What You Want”, and Mick Jagger has endorsed the result. “I’m a fan of Sam’s work, so I was pleased to hear he was covering one of my songs,” he said. “I think he’s done a great job with it.”

Rolling Stone noted that the cover runs only about half as long as the original, but still delivers a horn section, a full choir and a tone of disappointment tempered by acceptance. Fender recorded it in Tyneside with bandmates Joe Atkinson and Dean Thompson. The choir comes from his old school, John Spence Community High School, and the brass from the Easington Colliery Band. He called it “a privilege to rework such an iconic song by such a legendary band.”

The Standard notes that Fender, 32, arrives on a high. He won the 2025 Mercury Prize for People Watching, and his duet with Olivia Dean, “Rein Me In”, spent a record 23 weeks at number one, according to the paper.

Charity links and a physical release

The cover is being released on 7-inch vinyl and CD, backed with Fender’s 2020 version of Lindisfarne’s “Winter Song”, which gets its first physical release. NME reports that net profits from singles sold through Fender’s official store will go to Teenage Cancer Trust. John Lewis profits from records sold in its stores will go to Action for Children, which supports people who have grown up in care.

The charity element may soften some of the criticism, but it is unlikely to settle the argument over the film itself. The annual John Lewis Christmas advert has long been a headline-grabbing event, and this year’s is being judged on two fronts. Its music has been widely praised, while its portrayal of a wealthy family has sparked debate. Last year’s film used a Labrinth reworking of “Where Love Lives”, and this year’s advert is likely to be remembered as much for the argument it has started as for the song.

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