Gallery: Ex-Blue star turns on Ipswich Xmas lights

EX-BLUE heartthrob and this year's Ipswich Regent panto star, Antony Costa, was “honoured” to turn on the town's Christmas light last night.

The singer, who is playing the title role in Jack and the Beanstalk, said: “It's an amazing honour turning on the lights. I'm part of Ipswich this year and hopefully the locals will take me in as their own.

“I'm looking forward to panto this year. I did it in Cardiff last year and had an absolute whale of a time. It's such a privilege, looking at all the people who have performed, to be here in the theatre's 80th year.”

There was also dancing elves, ice maidens on stilts, human statues and fire eaters to entertain the crowds last night.

It was one of a series of themed nights running alongside weekly late-night shopping up until December 17, organised by Ipswich Central and Ipswich Borough Council.