Video: John Lewis pick seven-year-old Scot called Lewis to star in Christmas ... - Scottish Daily Record

Nov 12 2011 Scott Mullen

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A SCOTS boy called Lewis has won the starring role in the John Lewis Christmas ad campaign.

Seven-year-old Lewis McGowan, from Hamilton, beat hundreds of youngsters to land the part in the commercial.

The £6million ad launches during The X Factor tonight and is expected to be seen by 44million people on telly and online before Christmas.

And he now hopes to follow in the footsteps of his actor dad Stuart, 37, who has featured in TV dramas such as Garrow's Law, Lip Service and Life of Riley.

Lewis, whose only acting experience so far has been a brief appearance in an episode of Lip Service, said: "It was fun doing the advert because I got to go down to London for a week to film it during my summer holidays.

"When I got there, I got to play with lots of toys and when I wasn't filming I had my own Winnebago. I felt like a film star.

"My dad is an actor and it was because of him I got into it.

"One of my favourite films is Harry Potter so it would be amazing if I could be like Daniel Radcliffe, he's really good."

Lewis, who has a big brother, Conor, 11, added: "I don't know what I want for Christmas this year.

'I've been a good boy though so hopefully Santa will come and visit me' I had great fun filming the John Lewis advert.

"I'm excited about all my friends seeing the advert on TV and I really hope everyone likes it."

The clip follows Lewis as he counts down the days and minutes until Christmas.

It was directed by Dougal Wilson, who also made John Lewis' spring 2010 adverts featuring Fyfe Dangerfield's version of Billy Joel hit Always A Woman.

This year's ad uses The Smiths' classic Please, Please, Please Let Me Get What I Want sung by Slow Moving Millie

Lewis's proud mum Julie, 36, said: "He is so natural on the camera, we are all really proud of him.

"He and his brother always make videos and movies together at home so he did really well when it came to the advert.

"His dad's agency put him forward for the role and he auditioned with kids from all over the country.

"We are planning a party for everyone to come round and see his advert for the first time."

Kim Lowe, John Lewis Glasgow managing director, said: "It's so lovely to work with a warm-hearted Scot like little Lewis.

"With such a wealth of excitement, he's captured that magical feeling when you find the perfect present for someone special."