Alexandra Burke turns on Christmas lights in Manchester

Chris Jones

November 12, 2009

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Hundreds of revellers braved the rain to see X Factor star Alexandra Burke turn on the Christmas lights switch in Manchester.

The singer performed the switch on in Albert Square alongside stars from stage and screen and was followed by a spectacular fireworks display.

Also appearing were Key 103's Mike Toolan and Chelsea, singer Mr Hudson, Hollie Steele from Britain's Got Talent, the casts of Aladdin, Grimm Tales and Horrid Henry. and the Manchester Show Choir.

For those who didn't fancy venturing out in the cold, the MEN provided a live service with video, pictures and text reports keeping readers in touch with the event.

You can relive the event by launching the player below.

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Showing comments 1 to 25 and replies | View All

tiggerluc, somewhere in shaw (12/11/2009 at 09:57)

I won't be going -same old radio dj's with same old bored routine so -called pop stars miming/singing kaoroke. And ITS FAR TO SOON FOR THE LIGHTS!

Note to Council...please try and do new stuff next year.

PW, Manchester (12/11/2009 at 12:44)

Sadly, the crowds may not be out in force according to the forecast.

Englisc Stannes, North Manchester (12/11/2009 at 12:49)

I kind of find this too early for Christmas. 25 November onwards would be more appropriate and fitting. At least it would have desired effect of a traditional event.

Mike Hall (12/11/2009 at 13:11)

I agree with tiggerluc, it's the same old same old.

Aren't we supposed to be the 2nd City? Looking at Birmingham the efforts of Manchester are pretty mediocre to say the least. Birmigham are holding a free concert with their switch on (Sugababes, JLS, Alexandra Burke, Calvin Harris, Pixie Lott, Little Boots, Taio Cruz, Noisettes, Chipmunk, The Saturdays, Natalie Imbruglia, Mini viva.....) with events starting at 2pm. It's slightly embarrassing!

tiggerluc, somewhere in shaw (12/11/2009 at 13:17)

Indeed Mike Hall. I bet the radio station hosting (again) the show havnt even got half the acts you have listed on their playlists. Kinda goes against said same radio stations strapline.

Manchester City Council, look around there are a plethora of stations five mins away from the staion you have hired. I will wager £10.00 (to a charity) that if you hire any one of these you wil pack the square with a bigger cross section of Manchester people than you coul dever imagine.

Im now booking a train to Birmingham...

Mark,Radcliffe. (12/11/2009 at 13:27)

The stars will be out...and so will the majority of lightbulbs come New Year.

Henry Piggot-Smythe, Prestbury (12/11/2009 at 13:27)

"Stars" ? You insult the memory of true stars :: James Cagney, Clark Gable, Errol Flynn, Bette Davis, Judy Garland, James Stewart, Cary Grant, Hedy Lamarr, Ward Bond, Mario Lanza. There's just to many to mention but those were the golden days of true entertainment. True stars and legends in their own lifetimes and not in their own living rooms.

tiggerluc, somewhere in shaw (12/11/2009 at 13:29)

And its very embrassing not just slightly....

scoobysnacks, rochdale (12/11/2009 at 13:29)

Thanks MEN. I'm too unwell to get out at the moment but it will be great to listen in.

Holly Harper (12/11/2009 at 13:36)

God you lot are grumpy!

tiggerluc, somewhere in shaw (12/11/2009 at 13:36)

Ah Mario Lanza - now he could teach todays X factor stars a thing or two.

Could sing them of the stage.

tiggerluc, somewhere in shaw (12/11/2009 at 13:43)

Nah not grumpy - more pointing out the truth - theres more choice out there than the same old station being chosen year after year- saw that station at Trafford - god it was bad!

The public of Manchester deserve better thats all.

Mark,Radcliffe. (12/11/2009 at 13:55)

Not grumpy,merely witnessed for the last 20 odd years the flavour of the month do a countdown in Albert Square.....Time to change the template....Have to say the best was outside Lewis in the 80's,when Paul Daniels opened their Xmas grotto.They set off fireworks on the roof,and all the assembled throng got covered in guano....Someone forgot to tell the pigeons.

Almighty God, Salford (12/11/2009 at 15:55)

whats the deal with this, the winter solstice isnt for another month yet

Andanotherthing, Mcr (12/11/2009 at 16:06)

What monstrosity are they sticking on the town hall? Please don't let kiljoy Karney near anything.

Rebecca Rabinowitz (12/11/2009 at 23:11)

The rain held off for the hour and the fireworks were beautiful. Otherwise it was a waste of time. For the first half an hour some of the mikes weren't working. We could hear Mike, Chelsea, Mr Hudson and Alenandra Burke and that's it!! Several people sang but we couldn't hear them- just the music. We were bored. Loads of people turned up so that was nice.

cris_ (13/11/2009 at 00:35)

MANCHESTA !!

Bemused of Tameside., Dukinfield (13/11/2009 at 03:05)

Oh I agree what a Grumpy Old Bunch you lot are!!!!

As far as City local commercial radio stations go Key103 are pretty good.

Get over the "current climate" and get a bit of Festive Cheer in you!

If nothing happened the same people would be saying the council, local media etc are rubbish.

Lighten up you lot ....... it's only 43 more sleeps till Christmas - so my kids tell me!

Grumpy of Chorlton, Manchester (13/11/2009 at 07:42)

Mmmm stars. Alex who? Singer Mr?
Perhaps i'm getting old! Thing is a "star" nowadays, is some previously uneducated, unemployed chav or chavette, who manages to escape their council roots by winning some "talent" show. Earns em some money, so they can buy a posh council house, complete with porcelain lions, and you can bet their christmas lights will be tackier than Manchesters!

And I am Grumpy.

blaine stewart (13/11/2009 at 07:52)

was the biggest waste of two hours ever. could not see a thing and it was so cramped, i feared for my child's safety and we left after about 15 minutes of being rammed from pillar to post.

then it seemed like the metrolinks were waiting for the crowds to gather before deciding to turn up.

absolutely ridiculous, never again.

Knowall, stretford end (13/11/2009 at 08:59)

tiggerluc, somewhere in shaw
Henry Piggot-Smythe, Prestbury
both of you spent too much time watching films instead of your grammar

RJKS, St Retford (13/11/2009 at 09:08)

Henry Piggot-Smythe, Prestbury; The walk of a thousand miles starts with one step !.

Savage Mandarin, Manchester (13/11/2009 at 09:22)

And how much did all this cost? Were there no better uses for the taxpayers' money?..............and who is Alexandra Burke, anyway?

Angie33 , Manchester (13/11/2009 at 10:10)

The usual wet blankets putting a dampener on everything.The council dont think.'Now what can we do for old men.They seem to be left out of everything.'
What about a free shed?Or a move to the exclusion zone.

Drew-Peacock, Our House (13/11/2009 at 10:36)

"Performing" ...And for the people going watching this pantomime...have you ever heard of live music??
It is a total sham and brings shame to our cultured city.

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