Voice of London

Photo credit: JD via Youtube

JD is back and better than ever, with a brand-new Christmas advert – featuring old and new faces. 

It’s that exciting time of the year, where people look forward to Christmas ads that brands have to offer, especially John Lewis. However, it seems that John Lewis may have a new competitor on the market for “best Christmas advert”, with JD coming in strong with its star-studded line-up. A total of 32 celebrities’ feature in the two-minute advert, including stars such as KSI, Anthony Joshua, Trent Alexander-Arnold, Central Cee, Ms Banks and more. 

The story follows a reluctant teenager, who visits a shopping centre with his family. However, he is then immensely tempted to visit the JD arcade by YouTube sensation, Chunkz, who entices the  young teenager with a massive blue “arcade” sign. As he ventures in the video is accompanied by Kano’s iconic grime track, ‘P’s & Q’s’. 

As he wanders through the “majestic neon-fuelled games arcade”, the advert follows a host of celebrated London icons, competing with one another, to gain the title of “king of the game”. 

Played by new up and coming actor Cole Weallean – Watts, who also starred in JD’s 2021 Christmas advert, the advert features celebrities such as: Chunkz, KSI, Tobi Brown, Ethan Matthews, Laurie Elle, Amaria BB, Kojey Radical, Bugzy Malone, ArrDee, Kano and more.

However, one may realise that there are many similarities between the 2021 and 2022 Christmas adverts. A celebrity-filled ad is not a new concept to JD, as the 2021 advert has the same approach. With Weallean-Watts reprising his role, the advert starts with the young male shopper walking through a snow-filled, “JD Street”, anxiously trying to pick up a last-minute turkey for his mum fo Christmas dinner. However, the teenager is quickly distracted when he bumps into non-other than KSI. “Deserve the Finest” by Toddla T and Shaybo plays whilst he strolls down the street, coming into encounter with several other celebrities such as rappers Little Simz and Ms Banks who are sharing milkshakes at “Jammy Donuts: King of Shakes & Cakes diner”. 

He also sees rappers Aitch and Shaybo, in the Carribbean takeaway next-door “Jerk & Dumplings: King of Flava”, where Aitch even throws him a pattie. He then comes into contact with rappers Central Cee and Russ Millions, who are on the lookout for mince pies at the grocery store “Juicy & Delicious: King of Groceries”. Across the street is TV and radio presenter Maya Jama and actor and YouTube personality, Michael Dappah, who are are “running” a dog-grooming salon – “Jama & Dapaah: King of Trims”. 

Other well-known celebrities make appearances as well such: Tobi Brown, Young T and Bugsey, ArrDee, Jay 1, Jude Bellingham, Trent Alexander-Arnold, Ebe Eze, Kalvin Phillips and others.

Both adverts share more similarities than one can count – with both using the same approach and celebrities. But is just laziness or has JD found a new formula that has worked for them? 

Many fans and viewers took to Twitter to voice their opinion about the latest JD advert and it is clear that it did not disappoint. 

Has John Lewis got a new competitor for “best Christmas advert”? It seems like it.

Who do you think will have the best advert this Christmas? Click down below to vote.

Writing: Shakira Bruce – Abubakar | Subbing: Summer Rogers