Soap star set to switch on Hartlepool Christmas lights

Soap star Adam Thomas will provide the showbiz sparkle when he turns on Hartlepools Christmas lights next week.

The actor, who plays Adam Barton in Emmerdale and who also finished third in last year’s I’m a Celebrity Get Me Out of Here show on ITV, will be joined on stage by Hartlepool Mayor Councillor Paul Beck for the big switch on taking place on Friday, December 1.

The Hartlepool Borough Council-organised event, which will also feature a range of musical entertainment, will be held outside the National Museum of the Royal Navy Hartlepool.

The big switch-on itself will be at 6pm, while a programme of entertainment will run from 4pm to 7pm , featuring a performance from X Factor contestant Shanaya Atkinson-Jones.

She has released her debut single “Say Something” and is currently working on her debut EP due to be released next year.

Adam Thomas continues a fine tradition of TV celebrities turning on Hartlepool’s Christmas lights with Jack P Shepherd (David Platt in Coronation Street), Samia Ghadie (Maria Connor from Coronation Street) and Joey Essex (The Only Way is Essex) having all visited the town in recent years.

Councillor Beck said: “I’m really looking forward to meeting Adam and giving him a warm Hartlepool welcome.

“The switch-on of the town’s Christmas lights is a fantastic occasion and I hope that people turn out in force to join in the festive fun.”

On the night entertainment will be provided by the Hartlepool Special Needs Support Group, BTEC Performing Arts students from Hartlepool Sixth Form College, Choral Interlude, Miss Toni’s Academy , Sparkle and Channy Thompson.

The entertainment will conclude with a performance by two members of North Road, normally an acoustic trio from Durham City.