Hollywood star turns on Bath Christmas lights

Fri Nov 27 2009 15:59:03

Hollywood star Nicolas Cage brought a historic town to a standstill on Thursday night as thousands of people turned out to see him switch on the Christmas lights.

The Oscar-winning actor was wrapped up in a long coat to push down a plunger and switch on the lights in Bath.

He was greeted by cheers and screams from thousands of spectators and fans, and wished them a "Merry Christmas and Happy New Year".

Cage won the best actor Oscar for his role as a despondent alcoholic in Leaving Las Vegas in 1996. He was asked to turn on the lights by Bath resident Emma Samways who put a letter through the door of his home in the city, inviting him to the event.

The star of The Rock and Con Air has owned various properties in Bath and Somerset and has lived in the area for many years with his wife, Alice Kim, and four-year-old son, Kal-El.

© Independent Television News Limited 2009. All rights reserved.