Breaking News: Blue, ‘Taylor Swift’, and Sydnie Christmas delight crowds…. See More

The Broadway, Bradford’s Festive Launch took place today, with a jam-packed schedule that began at 12pm.

Thousands were expected for the free lights switch-on and people turned up in their droves to welcome a variety of acts to the stage, which was situated just outside where Marks & Spencers used to be.

Rate My Takeaway star, Danny Malin, was one of the big names to appear earlier in the day, but as the afternoon drew on the large crowd was treated to an appearance from some of the cast of the upcoming pantomime, Pinocchio, at The Alhambra.

This included actor Chris Gascoyne, better known for playing Peter Barlow in Coronation Street, who was more than happy to pose for photos and sign autographs after coming off stage.

There was then a mini disco before Duncan, Simon, and Anthony from Blue took to the stage to rapturous applause and screams, opening with All Rise, before singing the likes of Fly By and One Love.

Ellie Sax and DJ Harry then performed for the second time that day and got the crowd pumped with some club classics, before Lauren G As Taylor Swift, who also did a set earlier in the schedule, treated excitable Swifties to almost an hour of fan favourites.

Sydnie Christmas, winner of Britain’s Got Talent 2024, was the final act on, performing Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas, Tomorrow, and blowing everyone away with her rendition of Frank Sinatra’s My Way.

Then at roughly 6.30pm came the big moment, as the evening’s acts returned to the stage and pressed the red button to switch a brand new array of lights inside and outside The Broadway on, accompanied by yellow ticker tape exploding from above.

Rebcca Watson from Keighley attended with her two daughters and their friends, as well her sister-in-law and her children.

She comes over for the Festive Launch every year and “certainly will” be again after a fantastic evening.

Mrs Watson said: “It was absolutely fabulous, as it always is.”

One of Mrs Watson’s daughters said she loved seeing Syndey Christmas and said her dad “adores” her.

Lauren G impersonating Taylor Swift was also a hit with the family.

Mrs Watson said: “She was pretty good and my little one is Taylor Swift mad, she’s seven so.”

There was a joyful atmosphere in the centre throughout the evening, a sentiment echoed by general manager of The Broadway, Ian Ward.

He said: “From my point of view it’s all about looking at faces and people smiling.

“When you see people smiling, and kids having a good time, and people chasing after Danny Malin and stuff like that, for me that’s what it’s all about.

“Because we’re a community shopping centre, we’re here for Bradford and the city centre, but we’ve also got to make sure we’re ticking all the boxes as far as how we’re looking after people.

From my point of view, the proof in the pudding is everyone singing the last song as the lights went on and it just shows everybody has had a really good time.

“If we can do that, it’s free, and at the end of the day in this day and age it’s difficult enough and if we can add a bit of laughter and humour and happiness then we should be doing it.”