The little Scots girl who’s set to be Britain’s biggest Xmas star
Ruby, 10, is heroine of John Lewis ad
IT WAS one of the most highly anticipated television events of the year, with millions tuning in to catch the first showing.
And now the family of the Scottish schoolgirl chosen to star in this year’s John Lewis Christmas advert have told how overwhelming and exciting the experience has been.
Ruby Dailly, ten, from Neilston, Renfrewshire, plays the best friend of a cute, comical and very accident-prone dragon, Excitable Edgar.
Yesterday, Ruby’s father Graham Dailly said the family had been asked not to speak about the advert – but he did share his joy on social media.
Praising his daughter online, he posted: ‘John Lewis 2019 Christmas advert. My wee Rubstar, star of the show. So proud and happy for her.’
The advert focuses on a little girl, Ava – played by Ruby – who is eagerly preparing for Christmas with her family and friends.
They include the enthusiastic Edgar who, unable to contain his excitement for the festivities, is finding it increasingly hard to control his instinct to breathe fire. Ava and Edgar are forced to quell his disastrous fire-breathing after it threatens to destroy the festive period for everyone – with a giant Christmas tree going up in flames, a snowman being destroyed and the local ice rink melted, as we told yesterday.
Mr Dailly told earlier this year that Ruby had an audition for a ‘high-profile advert’, saying he was ‘super proud’ of her.
Posting on social media at the time, he wrote: ‘I’ve been sitting on this for a while.
‘A wee while back Ruby went for an audition in Glasgow, got the call back for the London audition.
‘Absolutely smashed it and now we are off on our jollies to film a very high-profile advert.’
He added: ‘It’s all a bit hushhush in this industry with having to sign a privacy waiver, etc. But what I will say is, I’m super proud of the wee Rubstar and it’s a massive move for her trying to break into the acting world.’
Producers were said to be delighted with her acting talents, especially her ability to convincingly interact with a character that was not physically with her, but appears on screen only as CGI animation.
In the advert, Edgar manages to accidentally destroy the town’s Christmas decorations and tree, making him hide away in his home from his neighbours and friends.
But with help from Ava, they manage to find a use for his fiery talent and save Christmas.
The advert, lasting two minutes and 30 seconds, was filmed in Budapest, Hungary, over two weeks in August.
It is set to the track Can’t Fight This Feeling by REO Speedwagon, which is sung by Dan Smith, of the band Bastille. It marks the first time the department store has joined with sister brand Waitrose for a festive commercial.
John Lewis customer director Craig Inglis said: ‘I’m delighted our two brands have come together for this year’s Christmas campaign. It started from a spark of an idea – a little dragon’s exciteof ment about Christmas – and became the story of how someone goes the extra mile for their best friend to give just the right gift.
‘It’s a funny, heart-warming story that will resonate with our customers as they seek out the perfect gifts for their loved ones.’
Bastille star Smith said: ‘It’s so great to be asked to be part of this year’s John Lewis Christmas ad. As a band we’ve always had a lot fun putting a twist on classic songs and it’s been so good to be a part of this orchestral version of an Eighties classic.
‘We’re hoping we get an Edgar for Christmas, too.’
Last year’s John Lewis Christmas commercial featured Tony Lambie, from Chapelhall, Lanarkshire.
At the end of the £7million advert, which shows how the gift of a piano turned Elton John into a megastar, the eight-year-old could be seen playing the instrument.
Although the finished advert focused on four-year-old Freddie Henderson playing the singer as a child, Tony’s hands made the final cut and were seen by millions in the run-up to Christmas.
Another Scot took centre stage for John Lewis in 2011. Lewis McGowan, of Hamilton, Lanarkshire, made the nation weep as a little boy impatiently waiting for Christmas – all because he wanted to give a heartfelt gift to his parents on Christmas morning.
‘Super proud of my wee Rubstar’
‘Started from a spark of an idea’