An estimated 6,500 people packed Victoria Square on Thursday evening to enjoy this year’s Christmas Lights switch-on.
Events leading up to that moment included a lantern parade and a variety of entertainment provided by local artists including Bolton Children’s Workshop, Bolton Baton Twirlers, Dance Fusion, Hayley Eccles, Jordan Allen, Tommy Holland as Elvis, and a Slade tribute band.
Guest of honour, pulling the switch to illuminate the town centre, was Paddy McGuinness. Before taking to the stage Paddy spoke to members of the local media. Asked if he had any plans to tour again he said that he liked touring but “Probably not for a year or so.” Reminded that his friend Peter Kay had just announced his first live tour in eight years he quipped “Yeah, Peter Kay does need the money!”
Asked how he felt about following in the footsteps of several famous names in ‘pulling the switch’ at the annual event Paddy said “It feels amazing to be the one switching on Bolton’s Christmas lights. I grew up here and I used to watch someone else doing it when I was a kid”.
After two ‘false starts’ with the countdown from ten, Paddy switched on the lights at 7pm and the evening’s events concluded with an impressive and colourful fireworks display.