Magical tale of a young boy’s friendship with a monster under the bed

Moz and Joe star in this year’s John Lewis festive advert – with a little help from a Beatles cover

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-year-old 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 build-up 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 as well as music videos for Bjork, the White Stripes and the Rolling Stones, said: “When I told my ex-girlfriend I was doing the next John Lewis Christmas film she said, ‘You have big shoes to fill, this John Lewis commercial must make people cry, don’t forget’. Last week I showed it to her and she cried. Phew!”

However, the emotion is tempered by John Lewis unveiling what it describes as the “world’s first farting and snoring window” at its Oxford Street flagship store, where visitors will be able to see and hear Moz playing in the rooms in Joe’s house.

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.”

Pictures: PA. Golden slumbers: Moz and Joe in the new Christmas advert from John Lewis.

In the advert, Joe plays games during the night with his imaginary friend Moz, the monster under the bed.