Corrie TV stars Julia Goulding and Farrel Hegarty teamed up to light up Springfields at the Christmas Lights Switch On in front of a crowd of thousands.
The popular evening event returned in style to Springfields Designer Outlet & Leisure for the first time in five years.
Julia (who plays Shona Platt) and Farrel (who plays Lou Michealis) arrived in an MG vehicle courtesy of WH Brand, who partnered with Springfields for the event.
The off-screen best friends brought their Northern spirit to Springfields confirming they were both “excited” and “nervous” for their inaugural red button moment.
Speaking to BBC Radio Lincolnshire’s Scott Dalton, they added they were “so glad to do it together” as they’re “so lucky” to work on the famous cobbles together and be long-term friends for 20 years.
On the switch on stage, the pair were greeted with Christmas cheers and a rendition of the Coronation Street theme tune from the crowd.
When questioned by the presenter if their Christmas shopping had started yet, Julia said: “I think I’m going to start tonight!”, Farrel added that as she’d spotted Levi’s, a Christmas gift to herself was on the cards, adding: “Happy Christmas to me!”
A quick-fire round of Christmas questions from the presenter highlighted that the pair’s favourite Christmas song is Chris Rea’s Driving Home For Christmas, Farrel controversially backs Die Hard as the best festive film, and Julia looks forward to chocolates, turkey, and her family’s Christmas Eve ham tradition when it comes to be best Christmas bites.
Fireworks from the stage and the sound of Wizzard’s I Wish It Could Be Christmas Everyday accompanied the Christmas light switch on.
Huge crowds queued to meet and greet the stars before they enjoyed a sneak preview of this year’s Winter Wonderland Walk, a festive outdoor light trail through the beautiful gardens at Springfields – now officially open for the Christmas period.
Additional evening entertainment included local music from Spalding Parish School Choir and Holbeach Town Band.
Ten lucky crowd members got their hands on a range of prizes from Springfields stores including M&S Outlet, ProCook, The Fragrance Shop, Molton Brown, and Springfields Adventure Land, which hosts a Santa’s Grotto in December.
Adam Whittaker, Retail Marketing Manager, said: “Julia and Farrel were a huge hit at Springfields, with thousands of visitors coming to Springfields for a great line-up of entertainment.
“Thanks to the push of the big red button, the mall will look magnificently festive every night of the Christmas shopping season, especially on our late night shopping days.
“We look forward to welcoming many more families to this year’s Winter Wonderland Walk – which Julia and Farrel both loved experiencing as our special guests!”
