20,000 pack in for BIG Christmas switch-on

CHRIS JONES, Pete bainbridge and Paul bentley

November 13, 2009

X FACTOR star Alexandra Burke switched on Manchester's Christmas lights last night - watched by a huge crowd of up to 20,000 packed into Albert Square.

Fans braved the rain to see X Factor winner Alexandra and a host of stars mark the city's official start of the festive period.

As Alexandra switched on the lights fireworks exploded above the Town Hall. Minutes earlier she blasted out last year's Christmas number one Hallelujah and her latest song Bad Boys.

Alexandra told the crowd: "I love this place."

Earlier she left a video message on the M.E.N. website thanking fans for their 'love and support'.

Watch Alexandra Burke's video message and follow what happened at the party

Alexandra was joined on stage by busker Tom Sumner, who was invited to the switch-on by the council after a warden banned him from performing on Market Street.

He performed Enrique Iglesias's Hero to kick off the show.

R&B star Mr Hudson also took to the stage to perform White Lies and Supernova.

And Britain's Got Talent sweetheart Hollie Steele and the casts of Aladdin and Grimm Tales, the Manchester Show Choir and Motown Magic all performed.

Among the massive crowd were Nicola Pinches, from Gorton, and her children Ethan, seven, and Lauren, 18.

She said: "I brought my son to see the lights. It's the first time we've come but I wanted to see Alexandra.

"I'd come again, only next time I'd bring a step-ladder."

Jasmine Smith, 15, from Withington said: "I'm here to see Alex perform Bad Boys as I also like bad boys." Ella Meho, 13, from Heald Green, said: "I thought Mr Hudson was better than Alexandra because he jumped off the stage and I got to touch him."

City centre spokesman Coun Pat Karney said: "This was the best Christmas switch-on ever.

"Manchester leads the country in Christmas celebrations."

Paramedics said two people fainted during the celebrations and police reported no problems.

Watch Alexandra Burke's video message and follow what happened at the party

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Mark,Radcliffe. (13/11/2009 at 11:31)

'This was the best Christmas switch-on ever' and 'Manchester leads the country in Christmas Celebrations'...to this we can add 'The cheque is in the post'.

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

no it doenst - look at London, Birmingham....

Lisa JK (13/11/2009 at 11:46)

Great night, as one of the Manchester Show choir singers we had soooooooooo much fun, it was amazing to get to sing to such a huge crowd so thanks to everyone that come out despite the weather :) Alexandra was awesome, lovely girl and what a great voice. Now bring on the Christmas Markets, I can almost smell the mulled wine and waffles Mmm :)

Schwyz (13/11/2009 at 12:17)

We could see the fireworks from the garden a couple of miles away.Super!! Shame there is less going on normally in Albert Square New Years Eve!

tiggerluc, somewhere in shaw (13/11/2009 at 12:24)

I didnt think Albert Square could hold 20,000. Thats the capacity of the MEN arean isnt it? And thats far bigger than Albert Square. So every one was counted in then via controlled enterances?

Mmmmm bit of massaging of figures? And before anyone has a go at me, just trying to keep it'real'.

Jenny McPhillips (13/11/2009 at 13:22)

My daughter's favourite bit was Horrid Henry. She thought he was great and was pestering me all night to go and see the show at the theatre! Alexandra Burke was great though. Roll on Christmas!

Jenny, nr Disbury

Jenny McPhillips (13/11/2009 at 13:24)

My daughter loved Horrid Henry - she was yelling Na Na nee na na! She was pestering me all night to get tickets for the show - got to sort it before the end of school!! :) Loved Alexandra Burke - roll on Christmas time!

Jenny, nr Didsbury

Gary SK13 (13/11/2009 at 13:25)

Tiggerluc - why not go and live in london or birmingham then, Why not? because birmingham is dreary midlands town with no identity , and london is an overcrowded overpriced dump that is full of foreigners and folk who dont give you the time of day.

Helen Massay (13/11/2009 at 13:57)

Watched the fireworks froma friends city centre apartment; while they were impressive I can't help but think it was somewhat extravagant in the current economic climate. I have read that a professional firework display of this nature can cost up to £4,000-£5,000 A MINUTE, and the '2009 Christmas Lights Switch-on' display lasted 15 minutes. Can't help but think Manchester City Council should definately have a cause more worthy of some of that money and shorter display would have still have created festive ambience.

Is It Me? (13/11/2009 at 14:05)

Hope it was a no smoking switch on,Mr Leese? A seriously good turn out,well done to all! At least some of Manchester still recognizes Christmas,or is it pure commercialism? Seems like a contradiction having a criminalised busker helping out,maybe they should have had a team of parking offenders playing the Seven Dwarfs!
PS. Who is Alexandra Burke?

Man City, the team the majority of Stockport follows, and laughed at by the majority of Mancunians.., "In 76, oh yes it's true......" (13/11/2009 at 15:32)

Tiggerluc....I think you are forgetting that due to the loonies running the City council, Birmingham is no longer able to enjoy 'Christmas' celebrations........

reeces, Manchester (13/11/2009 at 16:57)

I just have to say that the council did a good job at getting such great performers and an absolutely fantastic fireworks show! Along with my favourite massive Santa too! I do have to add though that the security company who were controlling the entrances were ATROCIOUS... they treated people like cattle herding them between rows and rows of gates and fencing blocking off all but ONE entrance to the square. They split up me and my sister (who is 8) and wouldn't let me through the gate to get her. They spoke in a rude, arrogant and obnoxious manner to the point that foul language and threats were being thrown around by them and the people they were controlling. I saw a young girl younger than my sister being dragged out of the crowd by her mother because she had been crushed due to the security moving the barriers in, and a teenage girl fainted! This was the downside to what was a fantastic family event! and as a an extra note, I would recommend that the mother of the young girl who was crushed write to the council and to the security firm (showsec was on their coats?) and complain about the lack of concern the staff showed to you.

tom easey (13/11/2009 at 18:54)

Helen its christmas!!!

The show was amazing and the staff were awful ...obviously not in the christmas spirit but didnt ruin it for me.Also i saw a guy carry a ladys pram above is head andhe didnt even know here,that was very nice of you!!!

Also can point out from the start of the show to the end of the fireworks there wasnt a drop of rain!!!

thanks anyway and merry christmas x

Tom @ Bury

tiggerluc, somewhere in shaw (13/11/2009 at 19:34)

Gary I used to live near London as a kid so a short drive in my parents car.. And I regulary go to Birmingham as the company I work for has its head office near the Airport. My point being is that we the people of Manchester have had to put up with some naff X factor performer hosted by a tired paint by numbers radio station and poor security whilst Birmingham had/has true 'pop stars' performing.

JERRY THE CAT, MANCHESTER (13/11/2009 at 22:10)

It was really good we went onto the ice rink after the marshalls were excellent teaching my daughters friend how to skate yes it was crowded at the lights but we do have a large population in Manchester with us being the second no sorry first city I am proud to be a Manchester resident well done to Manchester City council and all involved.

33Years But47K (13/11/2009 at 23:28)

Alexandra told the crowd: "I love this place."

Come on Alexandra; large city in the north of England, Begins with the letter 'M'. Try and think really hard. Home of 'Channel M' - your favourite TV channel.

Meaningless idols for stupid people.

Knowall, stretford end (14/11/2009 at 16:47)

tiggerluc, somewhere in shaw

perhaps Manchester got it right Birmingham have had to cancel their show due to too many people turning up, expected 5000 got 27000, now thats not big city thinking is it.

citycentre, manchester (15/11/2009 at 09:11)

"no it doenst - look at London, Birmingham.... "

Yes lets look at Birmingham, event cancelled, people in hospital, thats the quality of council organisation we should hope for here.

Andanotherthing, Mcr (15/11/2009 at 17:32)

Tillytot, Manchester (15/11/2009 at 22:08)

I still don't think that lights should be switched on for Christmas until December. It seems that the date gets earlier and earlier each year. By Christmas time it's like 'yeah yeah the lights great yeah been looking at them for the last 7 weeks'.
As for the newer Santa... bring back the old one he was well better on the clock tower of the Town Hall.

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