John Lewis’ tear-jerker Christmas advert for 2024 has been released, starring a Rickmansworth actress.

Margaret Clunie, who grew up in the town, plays Sally in the hotly anticipated broadcast first released yesterday (November 14).

The Gifting Hour opens its heroine running into the retailer’s Oxford Street flagship store, the first time a John Lewis store has appeared in its Christmas ad, 15 minutes before closing time.

Falling through a rack of dresses, she steps into the attic of her childhood home, and begins a journey through her memories of growing up with her sister as she searches for a thoughtful present.

Returning to reality, Sally meets her sister outside the store with her wrapped gift, and as they walk away her sister is reflected in the John Lewis window as the child from her memories.

Clunie has previously described - in an interview with The Standard - how she never imagined herself becoming an actress, coming from “the end of the Metropolitan line” in Rickmansworth, before becoming involved in student drama while studying English at Newcastle University.

(Image: John Lewis) According to another interview - with Glass magazine in 2017 - her family still live in the town.

Viewers might also recognise the 37-year-old from other roles including a 14-epsiode-run in Victoria, a Death in Paradise mystery, and the film Last Christmas, .

The two-minute TV advert, created by Saatchi & Saatchi and the third in a trilogy, ends with the strapline: “The secret to finding the perfect gift? Knowing where to look.”

Richard Ashcroft, the former Verve frontman, provides the soundtrack with his song Sonnet from his Acoustic Hymns album, a departure from previous John Lewis ads that have often featured covers.

John Lewis customer director Charlotte Lock said: “Our ad heroes the thoughtful gift-giver and celebrates ‘the gifting hour’, the moment when you go a little deeper in your heart and in our stores to find something really special and meaningful for the ones you love.

“Our shops are the beating heart of our brand and our customers love the ritual of Christmas shopping there – so we wanted to give the store a starring role in our ad for the first time.”