Blantyre teen playing Elton John in John Lewis advert says he couldn’t be prouder

HE sings, plays piano, and is the spitting image of a young Elton John.

And the teenager playing the Rocket Man star in an spectacular TV advert says he could not be prouder.

Brandon Stein, 18, says he has always loved Elton’s music and the chance to play the star in the John Lewis advert was a dream come true.

The ad, which was first shown on ITV1 on Thursday, is a mini-biopic set to Elton’s 1970 hit Your Song.

It shows the singer remembering career highlights as flashbacks take him back to getting his first piano as a child.

Actors play him at different stages of his life, and Brandon, 18, from Blantyre, appears as the teenage pop legend.

Brandon had just passed his Grade 8 piano exam when his mum saw an online advert for a pianist for a video.

He sent recordings of himself playing the piano and singing and he was invited to auditions in London.

To his delight he got a part but he didn’t find out it was for John Lewis until towards the end of filming this summer.

Brandon, a former pupil of Holy Cross High School in Hamilton, said: “I’ve been overwhelmed by the reaction from everyone.

“I’ve always loved Elton’s music but to actually play him in something like this has just blown me away.”

Brandon’s dad, Colin, 50, a fire and security officer, said: “We were delighted when we found out he was going to be in a John Lewis ad.

“You couldn’t ask for a bigger advert. It’s like the Oscars equivalent for Christmas – everyone anticipates who’s going to have the best ad.”

Brandon’s love of music started at home. The family always had music playing and his mum, Marie, can play the organ. She encouraged Brandon to have a go on the piano at the tender age of five, and he loved it.

Marie put an advert in Hamilton music shop for a piano tutor and local pianist Eric Lovat responded. He started coming to their house to give Brandon lessons when he was seven.

Colin added: “Brandon took to Eric from the start. He’s a great teacher and very good at explaining things, and they have formed a lovely friendship.

“They learn songs together and give them a new twist. He encouraged Brandon’s love of Elton John and Billy Joel.

“Brandon’s got a real talent for the piano and he really enjoys it, it’s a great release for him.”

Brandon went to the Junior Conservatoire in Glasgow for a few years, decided not to pursue a career in music and is studying for law at Glasgow Caledonian University.

However, playing the piano is the first thing he does after a day at university.

Mum Marie, 45, a breast cancer nurse, said: “It was a real thrill to see him on the screen, it’s been really exciting.”

“John Lewis treated him really well during the filming.”