LAST week it was the Lumiere festival which brought the crowds teeming into Durham City.
Last night the crowds returned for the ceremonial switch on of the Christmas lights in the Market Place.
The countdown to Christmas officially started after three of Emmerdale’s leading stars attracted thousands of people to the city when they turned on the festive lights.
Across the years, the annual Switch On has brought some of the biggest soap stars to Durham, and this year was no exception. Emmerdale’s lovable veterinarian, Paddy was joined by members of the infamous Dingle clan, Chas and her troubled son Aaron, to sprinkle some showbiz stardust and welcome in the festive season by switching on the Christmas lights.
Paddy, Chas and Aaron, played by actors Dominic Brunt, Lucy Pargeter and Danny Miller, were brought to the city by Prince Bishops Shopping Centre, part of the Marketing Durham team that organise the festivities.
The Switch On was a fun-filled day out for families with live entertainment from electronic violinist duo Storm, appearances from Metro Radio DJs Brian Moore and Anna Foster, as well as a sing-a-long from 2010 Crooner of the year, Jason Isaacs. In the grand finale, the Emmerdale stars flicked the switch to send thousands of bulbs sparkling across the city centre.
Richard Toynbee, centre manager at Prince Bishops Shopping Centre, said: “This has been a great day for Durham and it has kicked off the festive season in style. The turnout was brilliant; crowds arrived in force to see the star-studded line up and enjoy the entertainment we had running throughout the day – thanks to everyone who came along to mark the start of Christmas in Durham.”
Last year the lights were switched on by Emmerdale stars Zoe Henry, Mark Charnock and Jeff Hordley, who play Rhona, Cain and Marlon Dingle.
The previous year it was the turn of Coronation Street’s then most controversial couple, Molly Dobbs and Kevin Webster, played by Vicky Binns and Michael Le Vell, to light up the night sky.
The Christmas celebrations will continue in Durham when the Christmas Festival returns on Friday until Sunday, December 4, to offer a wide range of festive entertainment for all of the family.
