Emma Bunton switches on Covent Garden Christmas Lights!!

Emma Bunton – the voice of this year’s official BBC Children in Need single, ‘Downtown’ - will be performing the song live before she switches on the lights at Covent Garden Market this Thursday.

Emma, tipped as one of the favourites to win the BBC’s Strictly Come Dancing show that is helping to raise money for the Children In Need Appeal, will be on stage on the Market’s West Piazza during the countdown – and will then flick the switch to light-up London’s biggest Christmas Tree. Be sure to be there for 6:00pm. Emma is onstage at 6:30 and the lights go on at 7:00!

Emma says: “‘I'm really excited to be performing at Covent Garden Market and switching on this year's Christmas lights. “At such a festive time of year, everyone is in great spirits, and this event should really get the party season off to a great start! I hope to see a big crowd singing and dancing along this Thursday!”

The show – to be staged throughout Thursday afternoon – has a strong song and dance theme and will include Simon Cowell’s new classical music creation, Angelis and performances from the award-winning West End musicals Chicago and Disney’s Lion King.

Amanda Phillips, manager at Covent Garden Market, is “thrilled” at the announcement that Emma Bunton is the “strictly secret” singer that organisers have had under wraps, saying: “Emma is a great performer and we know her appearance at Covent Garden Market will be a real highlight.” Amanda adds: “Naturally, we will all be supporting Emma on Strictly Come Dancing – ringing in those votes for her and her dancing partner, Darren Bennett.”

Amanda explains some of the other activity planned around the switch-on saying: “We have a host of partners working with us to deliver what promises to be a spectacular weekend of song, dance and entertainment creating an atmosphere that is second to none in London.” Amanda adds: “Our tree is courtesy of Atholl Estates in Scotland – and there will be a distinct Scottish air to our switch on with a genuine Scottish piper performing during the day as well as free tasters of the finest malt whisky from Dewar’s.”

The switch-on kicks off a four day festival of food and fun at the Market that will see more than 50 food and drink producers exhibiting their wares as well as a host of entertainment including cookery demonstrations, traditional Punch & Judy shows, mulled wine stalls, jazz concerts, the famous Carousel and Covent Garden Market’s trademark street theatre. The following weekend will see the arrival of Father Christmas at Covent Garden Market in his all-new grotto on the East Piazza. He will be in place from the grotto’s opening on Saturday 25th November right up until Christmas Eve.

For much more information on the switch-on and events at Covent Garden Market, you can go to the website below.



Image is taken from the cover of Emma’s latest single Downtown, the official BBC Children In Need single, available for download this week.