HONEYMOON tribulations were cast aside as soap favourite Les Battersby appeared with screen wife, Cilla, to switch on Durham's lights last night.
Loud cheers greeted the arrival of the infamous Coronation Street couple on a specially-erected stage in the Market Place.
Thousands packing the city centre then counted down from ten before actors Bruce Jones and Wendi Peters, backed by Durham's Mayor, John Lightley, pressed the switch to reveal a curtain of light.
Stretching from the Town Hall, over the Londonderry statue, to the Boots store and Barclays Bank, the modern Christmas lighting is an addition to Durham's festive skyline this year, thanks to funding from the city council.
Meanwhile, hundreds packed into Darlington Market Square to see the town's festive lights illuminated last night.
Pantomime stars The Grumbleweeds performed the honours and the big switch-on was followed by fireworks and musical entertainment.
The comic duo are appearing in this year's Civic Theatre show, Beauty and the Beast, alongside former Pop Idol favourite Zoe Birkett.
Children Tim Jasper and Jade Zoe Chapman, who won a Beauty and the Beast competition, helped to switch on the lights.
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