Bolton’s home grown comedian and presenter Paddy McGuinness will be giving the residents of Bolton a festive treat when he switches on the town's Christmas lights on November 16.
The local lad who shot to fame in Phoenix Nights and Max and Paddy’s Road to Nowhere is now the presenter of two prime time shows on BBC One and ITV, as well as doing stand-up comedy tours and the massively successful Keith and Paddy Picture Show.
He is the latest addition to a long line of celebrities who have switched on the Christmas lights in Victoria Square, including Jason Kenny, Danny Jones, Vernon Kay and Amir Khan.
Paddy, who was born in Farnworth and attended Mount St Joseph school is a proud Boltonian, who still supports Bolton Wanderers and still lives in the North West with his wife Christine and their three children.
The Christmas lights switch on will start at 5pm on Thursday November 16, with Paddy counting down to the big switch-on at 7pm.
Paddy said: "I'm delighted to be switching on the lights in Bolton, my home town this year.
"I’ve always been a proud Boltonian and I’ve been a part of the fantastic crowds that turn out every year. This time though I’ll be the one up there switching on the lights!”
The Leader of Bolton Council, Councillor Cliff Morris, said: "We're really pleased to be able to welcome Paddy to Bolton's Christmas Lights switch-on and thrilled that he has agreed to flick the switch for us this year.
Paddy is a local lad who has really put Bolton on the map and we’re really pleased that he still comes back regularly to visit.
"Starting with the lights switch-on, we will have something for all the family in the run up to Christmas, including plenty of festive entertainment and attractions in the town centre."
Nikki Wilson Cook, Centre Manager for the Market Place, who are sponsoring the switch-on said: "The Christmas lights switch-on marks the start of the countdown to Christmas and the also the beginning of the shopping season. We love being part of this fantastic family event."
For all the build-up and action at Bolton's Christmas light switch-on, follow the council on Twitter @Boltoncouncil and get involved using #BoltonXmasLights