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29/10/2008

FESTIVE-GOERS are in for an X-tra special treat this Christmas season as X Factor winner, Leon Jackson, will be lighting-up Paisley.

 

Fresh from his performance on ITV’s X Factor, Leon will officially launch the festive season by switching on the Christmas lights on Saturday 15th November, performing from 4.15pm.

 

Fellow Scot and singer / songwriter, Sandi Thom will also be joining the celebrations, performing first, from 2.45pm, entertaining a crowd of thousands with tracks from her latest album, ‘Pink & The Lily’.

 

The pop star recently gave her backing to the Oxfam World Food Crisis Appeal, which is trying to raise £15 million in a bid to help people in the face of soaring food costs in Africa.

 

Amanda Moulson, Paisley Town Centre Manager and member of the Paisley Vision Board, said:

 

“We’re delighted to announce that Leon and Sandi will be performing at this year’s Christmas Lights Switch-on and are sure that the thousands estimated to turn out on the day will have a fantastic time, especially with Clyde 1 DJs Gina McKie, Colin Kelly and Gavin Pearson on hand to get the crowds going.

 

“With so much entertainment on offer, we are expecting this event to be the biggest and best yet. Starting at the new time of 12noon this year, Santa and his trusty reindeers will be touring the town, starting at Gilmour Street before he officially opens the Grotto in the Piazza Shopping Centre.

 

“This year, the parade will be supported by performers from PACE Youth Theatre, children from the Lorna Welsh Dance Troupe and Santa’s helpers. We’re also pleased to introduce something a bit different and unusual this year in the form of street entertainment.”

 

Leon, whose new single ‘Don’t Call This Love’ shot to number three in the official chart from debut album, ‘Right Now’, is excited to be headlining at the event.

 

He said: “I can’t wait to just get out there and start performing again. After the X Factor ended, all I’ve been doing is working non-stop on this album. It’s taken time and a lot of people thought I’d disappeared, but seeing as this is my first album, it was important to spend time getting it right.

 

“I’ve gone from this very humble background in Scotland to this incredible flat on the river in London – I’m living the dream. Saying that, I love returning to Scotland to perform and am looking forward to Paisley.”

 

Home-grown talent Leon and Sandi will be joining Clyde 1 DJs Gina McKie, Colin Kelly and Gavin Pearson to light-up Paisley. Leon will be performing a selection of tracks, including his new single, ‘Don’t Call This Love’, from 4.15pm, before the official switch-on.

 

The young Scots will join Journey South, Lucie Silvas, David Sneddon and Darius on the roster of stars to illuminate Paisley, with this year’s lights switch-on expected to be even better. Brand new lights will be in place on Abbey Close, Gauze Street, Cotton Street, New Street and Causeyside Street. Organisers are keeping these in the dark until the evening so spectators should be prepared for a shimmering surprise!

 

Issued by the BIG partnership on behalf of Paisley Vision.

 

For further information contact:

 

Gillian Hamilton on 0141 333 9585 gillian.hamilton@bigpartnership.co.uk

 

Notes to the editor:

 

Paisley Vision is a public-private partnership set up to promote the interests of Paisley. The partnership is collaboration between the town’s public agencies, Renfrewshire Council, Scottish Enterprise, and the University of the West of Scotland, Renfrewshire Chamber of Commerce and other private sector representatives. An action plan for the regeneration of the town centre contains eight themes. These being: living in the town centre shopping and leisure university town paisley for enterprise culture and creativity government and administration accessible and connected secure and welcoming