Elton John stars in the 2018 Christmas ad for UK department store John Lewis

A Christmas advertisement for a UK department store starring Elton John is going viral because it’s fantastically well done, and because it takes an unexpected (and very sweet) twist.

Elton John in the 2018 John Lewis Christmas Advertisement.

UK department store John Lewis has brought some serious starpower to its annual Christmas TV commercial, thanks to Elton John.

While many brands reinforce the fun and festive nature of Christmas in their Yuletide advertising, John Lewis has distinguished itself since 2007 by producing ads that strike a more melancholy note.

This year’s ad features Elton at his piano, performing his hit Your Song, before tracking back through moments during his career, and eventually into his childhood.

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Producers reportedly used actors wearing prosthetics to recreate some of the moments seen in the clip, including stadium concerts and TV studio appearances.

The 71-year-old star has reportedly donated part of his fee for the ad to the Elton John Charitable Trust.

This year marks the second time John Lewis has used Your Song in its Christmas advertisement, after Ellie Goulding covered the track for the store’s 2010 ad.

If you’re a fan of the tone of the ads you’ve seen, there are plenty more. Here are two of the best:

Originally published as Elton John stars in the 2018 Christmas ad for UK department store John Lewis