Lights switch-on draws 30,000

X Factor finalist Rhydian Roberts was greeted with 30,000 screaming fans as he flicked the festive switch for Sheffield last weekend after a day of fun and excitement in the city.

This Christmas, Sheffield will be lit up by 170,000 lamps, 30 cross-street displays and 75 illuminated columns.

Welshman Rhydian Roberts, famous for his platinum hair and operatic performances in the 2007 talent show, turned on the lights last Sunday.

To keep the festive cheer he belted out Christmas classic ‘Oh Holy Night’ as well as West End favourite ‘There’s A Place For Us’.

Roberts said: "The sun is shining, there’s a huge crowd here, and I love Sheffield. Its a great chance to get into the Christmas spirit, so its a good time to kick start that festive period."

But the 25-year-old singer was not the only celebrity around for the switch on.

Fellow Welsh reality TV stars Only Men Aloud, who won BBC talent quest Last Choir Standing this year, got the crowd humming along.

Anthony Cotton, who plays Sean Tulley from Coronation Street, was the guest presenter at the Sheffield City Council event that lasted all afternoon.

The main stage outside City Hall attracted thousands of excited fans.

"It’s been a good day for the little ones, the best in a few years," said father-of-two Phill Dainton from Hillsborough, who was at the switch-on party.

Pudsey from Children in Need was out and about to collect his final donations from guests as they visited the stalls selling festive food and drink.

Face painting, fairground rides, and children wearing reindeer hats made the event a real day to remember. And it doesn’t end there for the city. Santa will be greeting children every weekend before Christmas on the Moor.

Victoria Haley