Sparkling stars turn out for Sunderland Christmas lights

Nov 17 2008 by Paul Loraine, The Journal

SNOW was falling on Sunderland last night as the city launched its Christmas celebrations. At the Bridges Shopping Centre, Santa and his sleigh got the festive season under way as he was pulled down the street by real reindeers.

The assembled families were treated to a mountain of snow as the Christmas tree lights were switched on by three stars of stage and screen – Paul Michael Glaser, detective Starsky from the iconic 70s show Starsky and Hutch, Three Degrees singer Sheila Ferguson and the North East’s own Emmerdale star Dale Meeks.

The trio will be starring in Aladdin at the Sunderland Empire from December 5.

TV legend Glaser told the crowd: “I’ve never been to Sunderland before. I’m looking forward to the pantomime.” When asked if he ever gets annoyed at being called Starsky, he said: “It gets to the point where you just expect it and move on.”

Sheila Ferguson said she was happy to be in Sunderland and not back in the jungle after her stint on ITV’s I’m a Celebrity..Get Me out of Here, which returned to our screens last night.

She said: “I’m not just happy I’m not back in there, I’m glad. What’s the point anyway? Martina Navratilova is going to win.”

South Shields actor Dale Meeks is an old hand at lighting up the tree, returning to do the honour for a third year.

The city had a host of Christmas entertainment on offer with an ice-sculpting display from former Sunderland University students Mat Chaloner and Mat Foster .

Children and parents looked on as they created penguins, polar bears, reindeers and a huge Father Christmas.

Mat Foster said: “We have been doing this for seven years and went to university here too so it’s nice to come back to do this.”

The men run their own ice-sculpting business, Glacial Arts, and have made pieces for Quentin Tarantino, James Bond blockbuster Die Another Day and most recently last week’s MTV awards.

The Christmas cheer spread to Newcastle city centre with excited shoppers flocking to Eldon Square to see the Christmas lights be turned on.

ITV Tyne Tees presenter Pam Royle was on hand to illuminate the centre, along with two very special helpers.

The TV favourite was given a helping hand from a festive fairy, four-year-old Lucy Charlton and seven-year-old Declan Smith, dressed as an elf.

The pair won a competition where they had to say why they wanted to be a helper.

Lucy, from Ogle in Northumberland, said: “I want to make Eldon Square sparkle and shine and wave my magic wand.”

Durham also got in on the festive action with Coronation Street stars Simon Gregson and Katherine Kelly, better known as Steve McDonald and Becky Granger, turning on the city’s Christmas lights.

The crowd were also treated to some live music from The Royal actress Natalie Anderson, nurse Stella Davenport in the series, who sang her latest single, Did I.