Tadley's Christmas lights set to twinkle at end of November

Panto stars to host the big countdown

CHILDREN’S TV presenter Mark Rhodes and Gavin and Stacey star Melanie Walters will be switching on Tadley’s Christmas lights next month.

The pair will turn on the lights on the Christmas tree at Tadley Town Council’s offices, in Franklin Avenue, on Friday, November 27.

Mark Rhodes, who co-presents CBBC’s Sam and Mark’s Big Friday Windup, will be keeping up the town’s tradition of a local pantomime star switching on the tree lights.

He recently joined rehearsals for the seasonal pantomime at the Anvil theatre, in Basingstoke, where he will be taking the lead role of Jack in Jack and the Beanstalk from December 10 to January 3.

Providing a touch of fairytale glamour, actress Melanie Walters – best known as Gwen in the hit BBC One comedy series, Gavin and Stacey – will also be at the big switch-on.

Some razzle dazzle dust may be sprinkled on proceedings, as she is starring in the panto as the Forest Fairy.

As to whether the pantomime stars will arrive in costume has been kept under wraps, but they will be joined at the switch-on by one chap who will definitely be wearing red robes – Father Christmas.

The evening will start at 6pm with a Christmas market in the Ambrose Allen Centre and town council offices.

Entertainment and refreshments available throughout the evening.

At 6.30pm, the Tadley band and the Tadley and Hurst singers will perform and sing carols, followed by the big switch-on at 7pm.

Last year hundreds of people flocked to the event, when the stars on show were actress Sarah Louise Day, who took the lead role in the Anvil pantomime, Cinderella, along with fellow performers Katy Ashworth (Fairy Godmother) and Ben Harlow (Prince Charming).