Thousands of people braved the cold to watch EastEnders hard man Phil Mitchell (AKA Steve McFadden) turn on Croydon's Christmas lights.
Guests enjoyed an afternoon of festive events in the lead up to the switch-on where McFadden, who is set to star as Captain Hook in the Peter Pan panto at Fairfield Halls next month, flicked the switch with Croydon Mayor Councillor Yvette Hopley.
Eastenders star Steve McFadden greets the crowds
Croydon Town Centre Business Improvement District (BID) organised the switch on and a host of activities that kicked off from 3pm.
Roaming street entertainment included a roller skating Christmas pudding and Divine glow stilt walkers.
Covent Garden entertainer Ernest the Magnifico performed his daredevil antics which included a high flying stunt car and there was also a performance form the Endurance Steel Orchestra, who recently performed in the Lord Mayor's show.
Sophie Wright and Jo Davey on stilts with Shazmeen (2) and Hassan Kiani (10)
Palace players Lewis Price, Jonny Williams and Dean Moxey met fans
Crystal Palace Football club also held their roadshow in the Whitgift Centre during the day, where the Crystals launched their new calendar and Palace players met fans and signed autographs ahead of the light switch on.
After the event, Croydon BID tweeted: "Thank you to everyone that came to the Croydon Light Switch On. We hope you had a great time- it was great to see such a big crowd."
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