On song: X Factor's Joe McElderry turns on Regent Street's Narnia-themed Christmas lights

By JODY THOMPSON

Switched on: Last year's X Factor winner Joe McElderry performed his son Ambition before turning on London's Regent Street Christmas lights


Thousands of screaming fans wrapped up warm to see last year's X Factor winner Joe McElderry switch on London's Regent Street Christmas lights last night.

The road was cordoned off for the event, which saw Joe perform his single Ambitions and turn on the Narnia film-themed illuminations.

Helping Joe light up London were stars of the new Narnia movie, Ben Barnes, Will Poulter and Georgie Henley.


Warm welcome: Joe and the crowd wrapped up warm for the ceremony on what was a chilly night


Called The Chronicles Of Narnia: The Voyage Of The Dawn Treader, it's first film adaptation of the CDS Lewis children's books to be made in 3D.

It's based on the book of the same name and again feaures Tilda Swinton as The White Witch and opens in cinemas on 10 December.

Joe also performed his single Ambitions live on X Factor last month, but saw it chart at a disappointing Number Six.



3,2,1..on!: Jamie Theakston hosted the ceremony which saw Narnia stars Will Poulter, Georgie Henley and Ben Barnes watch Joe McElderry flick the switch


Roadblock: Joe performed for an hour for free before the lights were switched on


It was a cover of a 2009 single Norwegian band Donkeyboy, who spent months at Number One in their home nation with the song.

Joe's debut album Wide Awake meanwhile managed to climb slightly higher and went in at Number Three.

And his debut single The Climb, a Miley Cyrus cover which was released immediately after his X Factor victory, went to Number One in the second week of its release.


Al fresco: Regent Street was packed with passers-by and shoppers who were treated to a free gig from Joe


Let there be light: The street was closed off all evening for the turning on of the Christmas illuminations


It was trumped at the top initially by Rage Against The Machine's Killing In The Name Of following an internet campaign.

The South Shields singer's next single will be Someone Wake Me Up, though there's no release date as yet.

Meanwhile, Joe has a bit of a spate of season switch flicking.


Name in lights: Ben Barnes in his Narnia incarnation as King Caspian


He turns on the Manchester Christmas lights on 12 November, Blackpool's festive bulbs the day after before carrying out the honours for Sheffield on 21 November.

His next gig is at Brighton's Revenge Club on 20 November.



Santa's eye view: The Regent Street Christmas lights, as seen from the rooftops




source: dailymail