Monster magic for young boy in John Lewis Christmas advert

● Seasonal fixture returns to its tear-jerking roots after canine capers

A young boy and his imaginary monster under the bed are the stars of this year’s eagerly anticipated John Lewis Christmas campaign.

The two-minute tale of friendship that develops between saucer-eyed Moz the Monster and his seven-yearold host Joe is set to a cover of The Beatles song Golden Slumbers by Manchester band Elbow for what has become a fixture in the buildup to Christmas.

Moz and Joe strike up a friendship based on a mutual love of late-night Scalextric and piggyback games, but staying awake starts to take its toll on the boy and Moz realises he must allow him some peace and quiet.

Joe finds a clumsily wrapped present of a night light under the tree on Christmas morning, and the ad ends with him hearing the comforting rumblings of his friend when he switches it off that night.

The ad is something of a return to the tearjerkers of past years following last year’s comedy bouncing dog Buster the boxer.

Director Michel Gondry, who won an Oscar as a writer of the film Eternal Sunshine Of The Spotless Mind and helmed the 1996 Levi’s “Drugstore” commercial as well as music videos for Bjork, the White Stripes and the Rolling

0 Moz the Monster and his pal Joe, stars of the latest John Lewis Christmas advert which has become something of a national institution

A recording of actor Sally Phillips reading the Moz The Monster story will be available for download from johnlewis.com, Sky boxes and Google Home, with Google customers able to personalise it by choosing their own sound effects.

Once again there is a charitable link to the campaign. The retailer will make a donation to children’s charity Barnardo’s from the sale of Moz mugs and cuddly toys.

Craig Inglis, customer director at John Lewis, said: “This year’s Christmas campaign brings to life the power of children’s imaginations and the joy of great friendships.

“Moz and Joe’s story is magical and heart-warming and I’m sure it will be loved by all of our customers, young and old.”

The ad will appear on terrestrial television from around 9:30pm today on Channel 4 and on all Sky channels.