M&S ignites a Christmas ad war as it calls in Holly and Helen to fight Elton
THE balloon’s gone up on the traditional – and highly lucrative – TV Christmas commercial battle, with Holly Willoughby and Helen Mirren signing up with Marks & Spencer to take on Elton John’s advert for John Lewis.
Take That will provide the theme tune and it’s understood that filming for the M&S advertisement began last night. The chain’s bosses are hoping that by recruiting 73-year-old acting royalty Ms Mirren and 37year-old This Morning star Holly they will be able to appeal to shoppers across the generations.
Holly’s appearance in the campaign comes shortly after she signed a lucrative deal with M&S to be the chain’s brand ambassador.
Last week we revealed that John Lewis signed Elton John for £5m.
Earlier this month he filmed scenes at Pinewood Studios in Buckinghamshire of him playing the piano in what will be the climax of the advert.
It will also star younger actors, who play Elton, 71, as a child and teenager. A source said last night: ‘The competition between Marks & Spencer and John Lewis has become huge now. Both are doing everything they can to outdo the other.’