There are various signs that Christmas is approaching in Britain — the lights being switched on; mince pies appearing on the shelves — but the release of the John Lewis Christmas advert surely has to be one of the most hotly anticipated.

And although many of their previous ads have been tear-jerkers, this year's is the perfect chirpy antidote to the widespread misery of 2016.

After all: what can possibly be more cheering than the sight of a smiley dog bouncing up and down on a trampoline?