CORONATION Street star Nick (Andy McDonald) Cochrane dazzled fans at St George's Shopping Centre in Preston, when he turned up on Sunday to switch on the Christmas lights.

A few hundred dedicated Street watchers lined the malls to cheer and applaud as the popular star launched a countdown to the mini-illuminations.

Nick, 23, who finished working on the Street two weeks ago, said he loves coming to Preston and has been here several times as he lives just down the road in North Manchester.

He signed autographs and opened the Emerald City Christmas Grotto where characters from the Wizard of Oz line the route to Santa.

And after eight years in the famous soap Nick has moved on to panto in Llandudno where he is rehearsing to play the part of the Prince in Snow White. But what about the Street?

Nick said there were no secrets about his departure: "Andy has just had enough," he said: "He is fed up of everything. He needs some space so he just packs up and goes."

But he said the story has been left open and - if or when Liz and Jim get back together - he may be popping back!

Nick also met the Mayor Dick Evans and Mayoresses Sheila Southworth and Christine Black, and DJs from Bay Radio who broadcast the switch-on.

Pop group The Steps also performed their new single Five Six Seven Eight, released by Drive Records on Monday.

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