Vanessa Feltz has criticised the newly released John Lewis Christmas advert, calling it "abhorrent" and "just horrible" in a video posted to her YouTube channel shortly after the festive film debuted.
The department store launched its annual Christmas short on Wednesday, starring Dame Kristin Scott Thomas as grandmother Gloria, who is searching for the perfect gift for her grandchildren. With the help of Pickles the dog, a vintage pull-along toy voiced by comedian Paul Whitehouse, Gloria decides against giving envelopes of cash and instead embarks on an adventure that ends at a John Lewis branch.
Feltz's Criticism
The 64-year-old broadcaster and grandmother of four said: "Everything about it is wrong, just terribly, grossly, awfully wrong. Everything!" She added: "The whole spirit of Christmas is missed. The relationship of a grandma and grandkids, which is absolutely central to my life, is completely abhorrent. It's not what it should be."
Feltz also took issue with the advert's portrayal of children and parents, saying: "I just think it sends out a whole myriad of s***y messages. You know, kids can be as rude as they like, 'You can't always get what you want at Christmas but I'm really loaded so I could really afford it.' 'Oh, get a tuk-tuk!'" She recalled a personal experience, saying: "It cost me £340 this time last year. Do not do that unless you want to spend all your Christmas budget and next year's and the year after on the bloody tuk-tuk ride."
Mixed Public Reaction
Feltz was joined on her show by presenter Isobel Webster, branding expert Marcel Knobil, and This Morning's Sharon Marshall, who chimed in with "Beautiful sofa, though," prompting Feltz to quip: "And I also quite like her outfit!"
Public reaction to the advert has been divided. Some viewers have called it a "return to form," while others have slammed it for "missing the mark," criticising the "rude and entitled" grandchildren. One viewer complained: "Not sure what message John Lewis was trying to land with their Christmas advert. But all I see is 2 rude & entitled kids, their mother making excuses & tidying up after them & a gran spending a fortune trying to buy their affection." Another added: "I've watched the latest John Lewis Christmas ad, and I wish they'd go back to making memorable ads that tug at the heartstrings."
However, one fan praised the advert, saying: "What a return to form. A beautiful Kristin Scott Thomas playing a glam granny. Warm, Christmassy, nostalgic. The 1st time JL has used a celeb (except Elton John playing himself in 2018)."
