CORONATION Street star Antony Cotton will be lighting up Stourbridge this weekend when the town holds its annual Christmas lights switch on event.

The actor, best known for playing as Sean Tully in the ITV soap, will be flicking the switch at 5pm in Crown Square on Saturday November 25 after a day of festive fun in the town including a Christmas market, children’s rides, facepainting, live music from bands including Shaun Kelly and the Returned Gifts – plus entertainment from Black Country Radio.

Sean, who has been on part of the Corrie cast since 2003, has been signed up to appear in the new series of Dancing on Ice in January 2018 and has already been getting his skates on for rehearsals but he’s taking a break this weekend to kick-start Stourbridge’s festivities.

A meet and greet session with the star will take place in the afternoon at Chicago's in the Ryemarket, and Antony will later light up the town with the help of a lucky resident who successfully finds Dudley Council’s Christmas elves.

The actor follows in the footsteps of fellow Coronation Street star Jack P Shepherd (who plays David Platt) who switched on the lights in the town last year.

Jamie Whittingham, general manager at Chicagos, said: “We're excited to have Antony join us as part of the festivities this year, after the success of Jack P Shepherd's visit 12 months ago. 

“It's clear the Black Country love Corrie and we can't wait to welcome such a fan favourite to Stourbridge to kick-start Christmas.

"I'd also like to extend a huge thank you to the sponsors of the day, without whom none of this could have happened.”

Car parking on Dudley Council car parks in the town will be free on the day as part of the authority's efforts to entice shoppers to do their Christmas shopping in the borough's town centres.