Camden New Journal - by CHARLOTTE CHAMBERS Published: 6 December 2007
Stephen Mangan is joined by excited children in Primrose Hill
Lights, carols and action as switches are flicked on a glittering Christmas
STEPHEN Mangan, star of the Channel 4 comedy Green Wing, ditched his usual doctor’s coat attire for something a bit warmer on Thursday as he turned on Primrose Hill lights.
Mr Mangan, who has lived in the area for more than 15 years, said it was “a great thrill” to turn the Christmas lights on.
The festive scene, which took place outside Bibendum Fine Wines in Regent’s Park Road, was paid for by the businesses in the street.
Children from St Paul’s School in Elsworthy Road sang a selection of carols before the comic took to the stage to hand out prizes.
Mr Mangan, who admitted he was “collared” for the job while shopping in the area, said “it was like being asked to the palace for an OBE”.
He added: “I’ve actually managed to miss this every year – so it’s a great thrill to turn the lights on.”
But the biggest thrill of the night was meeting Santa, he said. “I knew we had a lot of celebrities around here, but I didn’t know about Santa.”