London 2012 stars switch on Regent Street Christmas lights

Olympic long jump gold medallist Greg Rutherford and Paralympic couple Sarah and Barney Storey, who between them won five gold medals at London 2012, switched on Regent Street’s Christmas lights last night. They were joined on stage by over 40 Team GB and ParalympicGB teammates before pyrotechnics took over the night sky.

Wilde Ones produced the annual event, which saw thousands gather to watch a new lighting design come to life.

Decorated with gold holly and red berry garlands, celebratory tributes to the Olympic and Paralympic teams now hang in Regent Street, and are interspersed with gold filigree plaques that tell the story of the 12 days of Christmas. .

The evening began with a choral rendition of the 12 days of Christmas followed by a special performance from the Royal Shakespeare Company’s award-winning production of Matilda The Musical. Classic FM, Regent Street’s media partner, also welcomed on stage a host of world-class talent, with Classic FM presenters John Suchet and Jamie Crick introducing the leading trumpet soloist Tine Thing Helseth and the all-female classical quintet The Masques.