Search for local hero to switch on Plymouth's Christmas lights

Plymouth is in search of a well-deserving local person to switch on this year’s City Centre Christmas lights after X Factor star Sam Bailey has had to pull out of the event due to contract commitments. Sam stepped in after Coronation Street star and singer, Shayne Ward announced he was unavailable to attend last week.

With just 1 week to go, Event partners, Plymouth City Council and Plymouth City Centre Company view this as an opportunity to celebrate Plymouth's own local heroes and talent, and are looking for nominations as to who should switch on the Christmas Lights in Britain’s Ocean City.  

“We’re naturally disappointed that neither Shayne nor Sam can join us on Thursday” said Jon Walton, Plymouth City Centre Manager, “but it certainly won’t jeopardise the Christmas Lights switch on.  Ultimately this is an event for Plymouth people and we intend to celebrate it as such by collaborating with the Herald to find our own local ‘celebrity’ who can flick the switch alongside the Lord Mayor and Plymouth Argyle Manager, Derek Adams.  We’d like Plymouth to nominate local people they feel should be recognised for their work in the community and vote for which one of them might switch the lights on for us this year.”

Councillor Glenn Jordan, the Council’s Cabinet Member for Culture, said: “It’s a real shame Sam has been forced to pull out of the switch-on but this is a fantastic opportunity for one of our own local heroes to get their moment in the spotlight. It’s always a brilliant event and whoever is chosen they will be guaranteed a very warm welcome from the crowd as they help to launch Plymouth’s Christmas celebrations for this year.”

The Christmas Lights Switch-On will start at 4pm on Thursday 17 November in Plymouth City Centre. The large stage in the Piazza will feature a range of entertainment including choirs from Widewell and Compton Primary Schools, local singer songwriter Bailey Nelson, Disney Princesses and Superheroes ahead of the Light Switch on with Plymouth’s Lord Mayor.

Nominations will be welcomed on the Herald’s website from Friday 11th November, with the winner being announced on Wednesday 16 November.