Roy Wood to turn on Coventry's Christmas lights in Broadgate

Roy Wood. (s)

ROY WOOD is set to turn on the Christmas lights in Coventry later this month.

The 70s rocker, famed for Wizzard's I Wish It Could Be Christmas Every Day, will sing the festive favourite minutes after pushing the button and turning on the lights in the city centre.

Wood's performance will be the finale to an afternoon of entertainment in Broadgate next Sunday (November 18). It will be the first time the new-look square has hosted the event after being redeveloped by Coventry City Council this time last year.

The switch-on kicks off at midday with Touch FM DJ Brody Swain, pantomime dames, local bands and dancers, a Christmas show and performances from the Belles of Three Spires Choir, who sang in the Olympic Park this summer.

An opportunity to win trips to New York, Paris and Rome will also be available.

The lights will be switched on at 6pm by Wood, Coventry's Lord Mayor Tim Sawdon and the winner of a 'shining star' competition for children who have battled adversity.

Council leader John Mutton said: "Coventry promises a cracker of a Christmas this year, with fantastic local acts, drama, performance and 70's legend Roy Wood, there certainly is an action packed programme of entertainment."

Broadgate will also host an international market, Christmas show, nativity plays and an ice rink in the next few weeks.

Events and other activities will take place at West Orchards, Lower Precinct, Priory Place and Spon Street in the run-up to Christmas.

Visit www.coventryschristmascracker.co.uk for more details.

The full Broadgate line-up on Sunday, November 18:

12:00pm - Touch FM's Brody Swain

1:00pm - Belles of Three Spires Choir

1:30pm - Ancora Christmas Show: Winter Wonderland. Ancora will tell the story of a magical world known as "Winter Wonderland" where all Christmas wishes are granted.

2:00pm - Local sports stars and team mascots

2:20pm - Pantomime Dame Iain Laughlin talks about this year's Belgrade Theatre Christmas pantomime Sleeping Beauty.

2:30pm - Reece Bahia sings Christmas. The Coventry student and Young Entertainer of the Year sings some festive favourites.

3:00pm - Belles of Three Spires Choir

3:20pm - Freeman Dance

3:45pm - Ancora Christmas Show

4:15pm - Pantomime Dame

4:45pm - Functionality: A local nine-piece band play Christmas anthems and popular songs - before playing as the backing band for Roy Wood.

5:30pm - Roy Wood: The 70s singing legend joins the countdown to the lights switch-on.

5:40pm - The Shining Star competition winner joins Lord Mayor Tim Sawdon and guests on stage to begin the light switch on.

5:50pm - The Arrival of Father Christmas.

6:00pm - LIGHTS SWITCH ON followed by a rendition of I wish it could be Christmas Everyday by Roy Wood.

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