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The weather outside really was frightful - but 30,000 people braved the freezing cold and high winds to watch the Christmas lights switch on in Sheffield. Soul diva Beverley Knight, pop stars Little Boots and Mini Viva, who all performed, pressed the plunger on the Real Radio main stage with Breakfast Show presenters Dixie and Gayle Lofthouse.
The city's own big band singer Paul Pashley performed his debut single, Kissing A Dream, written by Gary Barlow and Sheffield singer songwriter Eliot Kennedy.
Eliot was there to gave his first public performance of World At Your Feet, now the official anthem of Sheffield's 2018 Back The Bid, to bring World Cup matches to the city.
Black Lace got the crowd in a Christmas party mood with their hits, including Agadoo.
Earlier, in a series of light switch-ons around the city, there were appearances by kids TV favourites Peppa Pig, Fireman Sam and Snow White, with dance and martial arts performances.
The Winter Garden played host to Christmas arts and crafts activities, a toy fair, fun and games. Storytelling took place in the Peace Gardens, with a German themed Christmas market, mini ski slope and fairground rides in other streets.
The Moor came alive with Santa and real reindeer, huskeys, a live nativity, giant snowman, stiltwalkers and children's rides. Peppa Pig switched on the Moor Christmas tree lights at 3pm.
Beverley Knight, who went straight from the Real Radio main stage to perform at Sheffield City Hall, said: "This is a great honour for me. The only lights I've switched on in the past were those at my house! And I don't know when I'm going to get my lights up this year. I'm so busy.
"I'm touring, I've got a new album out, called 100 per cent and I've launched my own new cosmetics range called K By Beverley Knight."
She laughed: "At least that's my Christmas shopping taken care of. Lots of people I know will be getting the album and my cosmetics this year."
Brit-nominated Little Boots, who had a top-five hit with her single Remedy, said she was thrilled to perform a duet with Sheffield's Human League frontman Phil Oakey on track Symmetry, on her new album Hands.
"I want to thank all my Sheffield fans for all their support and I'm looking forward to coming back here to perform soon," she said.
Visit thestar.co.uk/video to watch the Sheffield Christmas lights switch on, plus performances and interviews with the top acts and more photos.
Sheffield Wednesday footballer Etienne Esajas and one lucky five-year-old officially welcomed the holiday season at the Christmas Light Switch On at Orchard Square on Sunday.
The SWFC midfielder and five-year-old Daniel Stacey of Sheffield switched on the Christmas lights in front of a crowd of several hundred kids, parents and football fans. Lucky Daniel was nominated by his father, Lee Stacey, in an Orchard Square competition, and his name was chosen at random to turn on the lights with Esajas.
"We were thrilled with the fantastic turnout on Sunday," said Orchard Square Manager Ken Hetherington. "Etienne Esajas was a star – he signed autographs and took photographs with all of the fans who waited to meet him after he switched on the lights. He made a lot of football fans very happy!"
The Escafeld Brass Band set the festive scene with Christmas music, including a rousing rendition of "Jingle Bells" at the very moment the lights were switched on.
Orchard Square will host various music groups throughout December, including the Hallmark of Harmony barbershop quartet and Sheffield City Operatics on Saturday 12th December, Escafeld Choral Society and Sheffield City Operatics on 19th December, and a welcome return from the Escafeld Brass Band on Sunday 20th December.
http://www.thestar.co.uk/news/Pop-stars-lightup--PICTURES.5848232.jp
