Mcfly to turn on London Christmas lights

3:09pm Saturday 1st November 2008

BOYBAND McFly are flicking the switch on London’s world famous Christmas lights.

The group, which includes former Bromley Cross boy Danny Jones, will switch on the lights in Regent Street on Thursday.

This year the theme for the Regent Street lights is ‘stars’ and the famous “mile of style” will be transformed into a winter wonderland for Christmas shoppers. Since the 1950s international celebrities have turned on the lights to mark the beginning of the Christmas shopping season.

Past personalities include HRH The Prince of Wales, Kylie Minogue, Sir Anthony Hopkins, Sylvester Stallone and Sir Ian McKellen.

Danny from McFly said: “We’re really excited to be switching on the Regent Street Christmas lights.

"So many great people have done it in the past.

"It’s also fantastic that BBC Children in Need are involved.

"Hopefully we can help encourage people to think of ideas to raise even more money this year”.

McFly are releasing an official single for BBC Children in Need, which helps disadvantaged children and young people across the UK.

The switch-on event is supporting the charity with many of the Regent Street retailers collecting donations throughout the week.

This year Hollyoaks star John Pickard, who plays the character Dominic Reilly, will MC the event and the London Gospel Community Choir will be performing a selection of songs from the stage keeping the audience entertained in the lead up to McFly switching on the lights.

The Regent Street Christmas lights are one of London’s major tourist attractions and draw a huge number of visitors each year.