Chart topper Robbie Williams announced he has put "a big tick in a big box" by agreeing to switch on Oxford Street's iconic Christmas lights this year. Before lighting the street on November 5, the Angels singer will take to a stage outside House of Fraser and perform his new single Candy. Excited festive onlookers will hear the singer's new record, live, on the same day as his latest album Take the Crown is released.
Robbie announced the news himself on Heart FM's Friday Breakfast show with JK and Lucy and also tweeted to over a million of his followers "prepare to feel festive – Robbie Williams is switching on the Oxford Street Christmas lights this year!"The 38-year-old said "Oxford Street is a fantastic place to do your Christmas shopping and it's great to be part of the celebrations." He added "I can’t believe I am turning on the lights! Take the Crown is released on the same day and I'm looking forward to performing for the amazing crowds."
And the crowd are certainly in for a treat with songstress Leona Lewis and boy band Lawson also topping the bill. Each year tens of thousands gather to see the 3000,000 bulbs ignite, but for the first time this November the event will be ticketed. Whilst all the tickets are still free this year the public also have to chance to win exlusive seats in a 3,500 capacity golden circle viewing area.
The event will be presented by Heart 106.2 DJs Emma Bunton and Jamie Theakston, who will reveal on Monday October 29 how people can be in with a chance to win those coveted special seats.During his chat with JK and Lucy Stoke-born Robbie also said that he won't be taking his baby daughter, Teddy, to see her Dad's big moment. But there is no doubt that the two-month-old's first Christmas will be a magical one, as Robbie disclosed that his wife Ayda is "into Christmas in a big way!"The star confessed that his wife is so keen on festive decoration that last year their house "looked like Oxford Street!" as there were so many lights.
Fun-filled proceedings on November 5 will get going at 5pm and the event, which is also sponsored by Marmite, will feature and interactive banner allowing audience members to show whether they love or hate the controversial spread.But no doubt all eyes will be on Robbie, who has recently appeared as a mentor on ITV's hit show X Factor and said he "hopes" for a future collaboration with his former band Take That.
In the mean time however, the busy new dad is focussing on the release of his latest album which he says he is "very very happy with" as it is "full of confident, big songs that will sounds good in a stadium."