London lights up for Christmas

Wed Nov 4 2009 08:44:20

Rubber-faced funnyman Jim Carrey turned on the Christmas lights on London's Oxford Streeton Tuesday night, as part of a festive extravaganza including two world record attempts.

The Hollywood actor was joined in the capital by Colin Firth, fellow star of Disney's new animated film A Christmas Carol, who illuminated nearby Regent Street.

Bob Hoskins, who voices Mr Fezziwig and a pawnbroker in the film, did the honours at St Paul's Cathedral.

There was musical entertainment from acts including girl group The Saturdays, Peter Andre, Spandau Ballet and The Noisettes in the build up to the switch-ons.

It is the 50th anniversary of the Christmas lights on Oxford Street, and the first time the illuminations have been turned on at the same time as those on Regent Street.

After the switches were flicked, award-winning singer Andrea Bocelli and the St Paul's Cathedral Choir led crowds in an attempt to stage the world's biggest carol singing event.

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