Nothing signals the start of Christmas quite like the annual John Lewis advert. And Twitter went into overdrive this week when two suspected teaser trailers were dropped online. The five-second clips show a cute creature, or rather just a large pair of eyes, looking out from the dark, and use the hashtag #UnderTheBed. Many viewers are convinced it is a John Lewis trailer primarily because it uses the same font that the retailer has used in its previous adverts. The Twitter account @UnderTheBed2017 was opened in October of this year; it follows no other accounts and only posted for the first time this week. On twitter user commented: "Anyone else getting an #underthebed promoted ad? Looks like the #johnlewischristmasadvert to me…"
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John Lewis' Christmas adverts are always hugely-anticipated. Previous efforts include last year's 'Buster the Boxer', 2015's tearjerker 'Man on the Moon' and 'Monty the Penguin', star of the 2014 trailer. Part of the appeal is undoubtedly the accompanying soundtrack; past covers have included Ellie Goulding's Your Song, Aurora's version of Oasis track Half the World Away and Lily Allen's take on Keane's Somewhere Only We Know. There is speculation this year that the chosen song could be a cover of Wham!'s Last Christmas, in tribute to George Michael, who passed away on Christmas Day last year.
It comes after fellow retail giant Marks & Spencer released their Christmas advert this week. The heart-warming festive video sees Paddington Bear unwittingly save Christmas when he mistakes a burglar for Santa. The beloved character is woken on Christmas Eve by an intruder on the roof, who he believes to be Father Christmas. Seeing presents in the man's sack addressed to his friends and neighbours, Paddington then insists on helping deliver all the presents back to where they belong. Along the way, the little bear innocently helps the burglar embrace the true spirit of Christmas, and see the error of his ways. The advert closes with Paddington wishing the thief a 'Merry Christmas' and presenting him with one of his beloved marmalade sandwiches.