Paddy, currently starring with Peter Kay in Max and Paddy's 'Road to Nowhere' on Channel 4, was joined on stage by '70s crooner Tony Christie who sang 'Road to Nowhere' the theme tune to Peter and Paddy's new show and hotly tipped as a contender for this year's Christmas number one. Christie also sang his ever popular 'Is this the way to Amarillo.'

Along with Bury's mayor and mayoress, Councillor Barry Briggs and Councillor Sharon Briggs, Paddy performed the switch-on of the seasonal lights outside Marks & Spencer. Later, the actor spent an hour signing autographs for many of the hundreds of fans who turned up for the event.

Before the Christmas light switch-on, the shopping centre staged a mayor's parade which included Bury's "first citizens", Mill Gate manager Colin Nichol, Santa and his elves, Bury FC mascot Robbie the Bobby and pupils from Our Lady of Lourdes primary which had won the centre's Support a School competition. The procession started outside Santa's grotto in The Mall before coming to a halt in Schorndorf Square for the switch-on ceremony.

Other attractions included entertainment provided by the Fusiliers Association (Lancashire) Band and Corp of Drums and a Tower FM roadshow featuring performances from up-and-coming local acts .

Mill Gate marketing manager Jennifer Morris said: "We were extremely pleased with the whole event. Paddy was really successful and went down extremely well. He was popular with all ages, not just the kids. People were queuing for autographs for a good hour. And Tony Christie also sang a couple of songs.

"We estimate that around 1,500 people were in the centre for the lights switch-on. There were around 500-600 at 4pm but by the time of the ceremony at 6pm, the numbers had gone up considerably."