Breakout star of John Lewis advert didn’t tell his mother he was going to be in it – as his proud father ‘cries watching it’ on TV

The young actor, who stars in this year’s John Lewis Christmas advert, managed to hide his appearance from his mother so he could surprise her.

Jack Alldridge is the breakout star of this year’s traditional tearjerker for the department store chain.

In the two-minute clip, the old-school raver acts like a doting son to show his love and affection for his father by gifting him a vinyl record of Alison Limerick’s 1990 dance tune Where Love Lives.

As he plays the song loudly, the father is transported back to an overcrowded nightclub filled with sweaty ravers, neon outfits and bright LED lights, an obvious nod to the dance scene that captivated the ’80s and ’90s.

The scene then flashes back to the present day, as the modern version of the track echoes softly in the background; where the embarrassed teenager is embraced by his emotional father.

While the ad received mixed reviews from shoppers, it delighted dads as it evoked the old rave days of the ’90s, with some suggesting the ad might be the retailer’s “best yet”.

But it turns out there’s a touching story behind the scenes that could be even more interesting than the ad itself, because Jack’s mother was completely unaware that he would be starring in this movie.

Instead, Jack wanted his appearance in his beloved holiday commercial to be a surprise for his mother; His mother only found out about this when she saw him on television for the first time and immediately called her son with tears of joy.

Meanwhile, Jack’s ‘proud’ father Martin told his Facebook friends that he ‘liked’ the ad and even shed a tear while watching it.

Jack (left) wanted his appearance in the hit festive film to be a surprise for his mother (right), so he didn’t tell her he’d be in the commercial

People have already taken to social media to praise Jack for his ‘amazing’ performance

Jack told Good Morning Britain on Tuesday: ‘I woke up to a message saying: [from my mum] “Thanks for telling me!

‘Then I FaceTimed her and she was screaming and crying on the phone. ‘I think it was worth not telling anyone and really keeping it to myself and then…boom!’

Jack also revealed that when he auditioned for the ad, he had no idea what brand the ad was for and only found out when he got the role.

‘They didn’t tell me what it was during the audition process so I didn’t speculate, I just didn’t think about it.

‘I don’t remember what they said but it was a retail brand or something like that, then I found out I got the job and they told me.

‘I was just sitting on the couch going, ‘Okay, this is going to be interesting!’. And now that I’m on the other side, I’m really happy with this final product.’

Surprisingly, despite starring in the commercial, Jack was only able to view the finished product last night; that is, hours before it is made available to a wider audience.

‘I had to set up a zoom meeting to watch this because obviously it was such a big thing and it was pretty secretive. After that zoom call, I took a minute and said, yes, I’m happy with this.’

Before the conversation ended, Jack revealed that he was able to keep the blue sweater he wore in the ad as a ‘gift wrap’.

Meanwhile, Jack’s father made a similar post on social media early this morning, expressing his admiration for his son, after seeing the ad for the first time.

‘I am so proud of my such determined and lovely son Jack and congratulations to my wonderful son on his TV debut in John Lewis’ new Christmas Addition (sic).

‘This is so good and Jack himself is such a natural. I love you very much son, I love Berni very much too and he says well done, he likes it too.

‘I cried watching but I’m a very happy friend, see you very soon xxxx’.

Several of Martin’s friends congratulated the proud father and his son on the ‘amazing’ performance.

Jack Alldridge is the breakout star of this year’s annual tearjerker for the department store chain.

Jack’s ‘proud’ father Martin (right) revealed that he ‘liked’ the ad and even shed a tear while watching it.

Jack pictured with father Martin after graduating from Guildford School of Acting in 2023

Jack (pictured) will star alongside co-star John Cena in Apple TV’s Matchbox, based on the franchise of the same name, and will be released next year.

Appearing in a recurring role in the Netflix series Death by Lightning, Jack’s appearance in the John Lewis Advert seemingly marks his first big break in the entertainment industry.

Jack graduated from Guildford School of Acting in 2023 and has since guest-starred on BBC’s Call the Midwife.

She will also star in ITV’s upcoming series The Lady and star alongside co-star John Cena in Apple TV’s Matchbox, based on the brand of the same name, which will be released next year.

While there was significant praise for Jack’s role, the ad itself received mixed reactions from divided fans.

John Lewis left some viewers unimpressed, with one person writing on the X: ‘What nonsense again! These aren’t Christmas ads anymore. Stupid soundtrack, meaningless “message”. ‘Ahh!’

‘Is John Lewis in the running for worst Christmas ad? If so, they won,’ wrote another reviewer.

‘What a disappointment John Lewis. The Christmas ad looks nothing like Christmas. A third added it could be an ad for a birthday present, while a fourth said: ‘I thought your son was dead. It was actually a bit depressing. ‘Bring back the cute ads!’

However, while some wanted sweeter advertising from the retailer, others were pleased with the representation and a few old-style priests appeared to be pleased with the advertising.

One impressed viewer said: “Maybe it’s the 90s raver and DJ in me (yes, I had a life before middle age) or maybe I fit the demographic as a dad with teenage kids but is this the best John Lewis ad ever?” he said.

A second said: ‘I’m an old school raver with teenage kids…. Love the ad,’ while a third added: ‘John Lewis, what are you doing to me? But the fatherly hug at the end.’

Another person admitted: ‘I’m in awe of John Lewis’ new Christmas advert. ‘For me it’s the best yet.’

In this year’s John Lewis advert, a father is seen being sent back to a sweaty, overcrowded nightclub (pictured) after being gifted a record by his teenage son

The scene then flashes back to the present day as the modern version of the track echoes softly in the background, and the embarrassed teenager anxiously watches his father’s reaction.

The two share a quiet moment before the man starts dancing again, making the teenager laugh forcefully.

The ad, created by Saatchi & Saatchi, appeared online this morning and aired on TV during the finale of The Great British Bake Off on Channel 4 later today.

Rosie Hanley, brand director at John Lewis, told the Daily Mail that this year’s advert carried “all the DNA” of the brand’s festive campaigns for which it was known, but was also quite “unexpected”.

The vinyl disc will be sold exclusively at John Lewis, with Miss Limerick’s version on side A and British rapper Labrinth’s new version on side B.

All profits from the £14.99 registration will go towards the firm’s Creating Happier Futures campaign to help people growing up in care.

Ms Limerick, 66, said she ‘squealed like a child’ when she heard her song would be featured in the advert, adding: ‘the storytelling, the cheerful resolution at the end, the thoughtful gift… it’s John Lewis through and through.’