TV stars switch on Durham Christmas lights

Nov 23 2009 By Sara Nichol, The Journal

CROWDS got into the festive spirt as they watched two of Coronation Street's biggest characters flick the switch of Durham's Christmas lights.

Thousands crammed into the city’s market place yesterday to watch The Street’s most controversial couple, Molly Dobbs and Kevin Webster, light up the night sky.

Actors, Vicky Binns and Michael Le Vell, who play characters, were joined on stage by ITV’s Benidorm singing sensation Shaun Foster-Conley and girl group Bad Lashes as part of Durham City’s Big Switch-On 2009.

And Michael was so impressed with his first visit to the city, he backed it’s bid to become the first UK City of Culture.

He said: "Durham is a beautiful, beautiful place – I can’t believe I have never been here before. I have fallen in love with it. What a gorgeous place.

"I would endorse Durham’s culture bid. In the few hours I have spent here, I can see it certainly has a lot to offer. I was never a university student but I wish I had been – I would have come here. Imagine spending three years in a place like this?

"Durham gets overlooked in the North East. I have been to Sunderland and Newcastle but never Durham and I think there’s a misconception about the city because it doesn’t have a big football team or anything like that."

The celebrities were brought to Durham by Prince Bishops Shopping Centre and the Big Switch-On was the highlight of an action-packed day of entertainment.

The stars were also joined on stage by the Mayor of Durham, Councillor Dennis Southwell, along with Durham County Council Chairman, Councillor Brian Myers. Richard Toynbee, centre manager at Prince Bishops Shopping Centre, which sponsors the annual switch-on, said: "This has been a fantastic day for Durham and has kicked-off the festive season in style."

High water levels in the River Wear meant the Grand Durham DUCK Race, which was due to see 20,000 rubber ducks battle their way down river, was postponed until December 6. Tickets are still on sale and the owner of the fastest duck will scoop the £1,000 prize.

In Sunderland, the festivities began with a day of family fun, fairytale characters and even real snow.

Santa and his reindeers led the annual Christmas Parade and were joined by characters from the Sunderland Empire’s pantomime, Peter Pan, as well as roller-booting snowmen, life-size Christmas crackers, elves and other festive favourites.

Meanwhile, on Saturday, a series of images of Geordie X Factor hopeful Joe McElderry appeared on South Shields Town Hall during the switch-on of the town’s Christmas lights. Transylvanian twins the Cheeky Girls joined the Mayor of South Tyneside, Coun John Anglin, at Ocean Road to do the honours.

Visitors were able to relax to music in the Market Square, while youngsters had a chance to see Santa’s reindeers and play among real snow in a special children’s play area.

The footage was screened shortly after images of Joe, who also visited former classmates at Newcastle College, were projected on to South Shields Town Hall, along with messages encouraging people to vote for him.