Ellie Goulding has recorded a stunning new version of the classic 60s song What the World Needs Now for a new TV advert paying tribute to supporters of some of Britain’s best-loved charities.
The star, 37, is seen playing a grand piano as she performs a riveting rendition of the hit, which entered the top 10 in 1965 when it was originally sung by Jackie DeShannon.
Ellie performed the special performance during a promotional video for People’s Postcode Lottery, a weekly subscription lottery in which players have raised more than £1.4bn for good causes.
The touching clip begins with comedian and actor Tom Allen visiting the home of People’s Postcode Lottery player ‘Sarah’ and thanking her for doing her bit for charity.
The 41-year-old then steps aside to reveal Ellie, dressed in a crisp camel coat with structured shoulder pads, who begins her heartfelt recital.
Ellie Goulding performs new version of classic 60s song What the World Needs Now for new TV advert
The star, 37, is seen playing a grand piano as she performs a riveting rendition of the hit, which entered the top 10 in 1965 when it was originally sung by Jackie DeShannon.
Ellie performed the special performance during a promotional video for People’s Postcode Lottery, a weekly subscription lottery in which players have raised more than £1.4bn for good causes.
While the evocative ambient lighting gives the feel of a studio performance, the video was actually filmed on a residential street in Orpington, Greater London.
Ellie’s soulful voice takes viewers on a journey, showing the incredible impact of player funding on charities across the UK.
The feel-good film highlights the work of seven long-supported charities, each of which expresses its gratitude to Sarah and thanks all the players for their contributions.
Commenting on the announcement, Ellie says: “It’s a pleasure to record such an iconic song.” What The World Needs Now is timeless, with a message of hope for all and £1.4 billion going to charity from People’s Postcode Lottery players is a lot of love in these turbulent times.’
The advert first debuted on Thursday on Channel 4’s hit comedy show Taskmaster, and will also appear on ITV during The Voice final.
The clip begins with comedian and actor Tom Allen, 41, visiting the home of People’s Postcode Lottery player ‘Sarah’ (pictured) and thanking her for doing her bit for charity.
Tom (pictured) then steps aside to reveal Ellie, dressed in a crisp camel coat with structured shoulder pads, who begins her heartfelt recital.
Ellie’s soulful voice takes viewers on a journey, showcasing the incredible impact of player funding on charities across the UK, including the Trussell Trust.
Its realistic setting is something of a throwback to Ellie’s early years as a musician, in which her talent was discovered at an open mic night while studying music and drama at the University of Kent.
Her 2010 debut album, Lights, propelled her to the A-list of celebrities, and she was invited to perform at Prince William and Kate Middleton’s wedding reception in 2011, where she sang Sir Elton John’s Your Song.
Ellie’s last full release was her 2023 album Higher Than Heaven, but has since worked with electronic musician Four Tet for a new collaborative single, In My Dreams.
The seven charities featured in their advert with People’s Postcode Lottery are Royal British Legion, Battersea Dogs Home, Royal Voluntary Service, Trussell, Ellen MacArthur Cancer Trust, OnSide Youth Zones and Riding for the Disabled Association.
The Riding for the Disabled Association also appears in the touching clip.
The film highlights the work of seven long-term supported charities, each of which expresses its gratitude to Sarah and thanks all the players for their contributions.
Youth charity OnSide also starred in the feel-good campaign.
Michael Bishop, chief executive of Riding for the Disabled Association (RDA), said: ‘RDA is delighted to feature in this inspiring campaign and showcase the impact of RDA’s work with disabled people, enriching lives through horses.
“Our work is needed more than ever and, like thousands of charities across Britain, we simply could not offer our life-changing services without the long-term support and crucial funding raised by Code Lottery players Postcard of the People”.
Mark Harrison, creative director at People’s Postcode Lottery, said: “I’m very proud of this campaign as it sets a new standard for us creatively and highlights what we do every day as a charity-focused lottery.”
‘Our starting point was an advertisement produced by our sister lottery in the Netherlands, Nationale Postcode Loterij, called Thank you, Johan.
“Our creative team built on this, collaborating with GOOD Agency and Outsider’s J Marlow, to create an iconic soundtrack that I know will make a lasting impression across the country.”
Ellie appeared at The Perfect World Foundation award gala in Sweden last month
The Love Me Like You Do hitmaker received the Perfect World Foundation’s honorary Conservation Award
Ellie, who announced her split from husband Caspar Jopling in February, has had a busy year on the celebrity circuit and was spotted earlier this month at Chiltern Firehouse’s 10th anniversary party.
A month earlier, the Love Me Like You Do hitmaker dazzled in a sparkly silver dress when she made an appearance. at a glitzy environmental charity gala in Sweden also attended by Sarah Ferguson, the Duchess of York.
The Perfect World Foundation Award Gala is an annual event that honors people who have made significant contributions to conservation, and this year’s event was held at Börsen in Gothenburg.
Ellie received the Perfect World Foundation’s Honorary Conservation Award for her work advocating for environmental causes.