The ad opens with a glamorous grandmother, Gloria, played by Scott Thomas, welcoming her family into her large London home on Christmas Eve, The Independent reports. She then goes shopping with her toy dog, Pickles.

Fender covers the Rolling Stones song You Can't Always Get What You Want for the ad, BBC News reports. Current pupils at John Spence Community High School in North Shields re-recorded the children's choir, without first being given the reason.

“In the spirit of Christmas, we re-recorded the children's choir with the kids from my old school,” Fender said, according to the BBC. He also worked again with the Easington Colliery Band on a brass section.

Head of music Damien Grazzer said the request was a “real shock” but an “amazing experience” for the pupils, the BBC says. They had only a day to rehearse, and Fender made an emotional visit near the end of the session.

Money from sales of the single will go to the Teenage Cancer Trust and Action for Children, the BBC reports.

Lynne Deason of the analysts Kantar said the ad reminds people of the joy of giving but lacks the “emotive punch” of past years, The Independent reports. She said Scott Thomas's star turn is well done.

In a comment piece for The Independent, Katie Rosseinsky called the ad “tone deaf,” the paper says. She said it makes no nod to a season that will be a real squeeze for most people.

Users on the parenting site Mumsnet criticized the two grandchildren in the ad, who look let down when their Christmas cards hold no cash, The Independent reports.

What we know: The ad stars Scott Thomas, and its song features pupils from Fender's old school.
What we don't: How the campaign will affect John Lewis's Christmas sales.