BLACKBURN’S Christmas lights switch-on has become a “fiasco” after one star guest pulled out of the event, and another said he had never been invited.

The council announced last week that its switch-on spectacular on November 15 would be attended by Emmerdale star Roxanne Pallet, as well as world superbike champion Carl Fogarty.

But Mr Fogarty’s agent, Neil Bramwell, said his client had not been invited to the event, while Miss Pallet, who plays Andy Sugden’s wife Jo in the soap, also said she would not be attending.

Jack Shepherd, who plays David Platt in Coronation Street, will still attend, with Michelle Keegan, who plays his on-screen girlfriend Tina McIntyre, stepping into Miss Pallett’s shoes.

Mr Bramwell said it was “a mystery” why Carl Fogarty had been named as a guest, while a spokesman for the council said he had been listed as part of the entertainment package from local radio station The Bee.

A spokesman for The Bee, however, said Fogarty had been named to them as part of the council’s plans.

Mr Bramwell said: “We had no idea that they were saying Carl would be involved, until a few people contacted him to say they would see him there on the 15th.

"We have no idea where this has come from.

“It’s obviously a mistake, but it’s no big deal as far as we are concerned.”

Miss Pallett’s agent, Elaine Murphy, said she had not been aware of her client’s commitment in Blackburn, but today confirmed with the star that she would not be attending.

The council’s opposition leader Kate Hollern said the switch-on plans were “a fiasco”.

She said: “It was only five months ago that they told everyone Malcolm Hebden from Coronation Street would be opening the Mill Hill Festival, when he had said from the beginning that he couldn’t.

“The whole council outfit is now so disorganised it’s unbelievable. The right hand doesn’t know what the left hand’s doing.”

Coun Michael Law-Riding, executive member for leisure and culture, said: "We have been informed today that due to unforeseen circumstances Roxanne Pallet is no longer able to attend the Blackburn Town Centre Christmas lght switch-on.

”We are delighted that Miss Keegan is coming to Blackburn instead to assist in switching on the town centre’s Christmas lights and I am sure it will be a tremendous night for everyone who comes along."