Singer Jessie J switched on the Oxford Street lights last night (Tuesday) as retailers gear up for the busiest trading period of the year.  

Thousands turned out to see the Oxford Street lights switched on

Thousands of shoppers flocked to the event, hosted by department store Selfridges, to see X Factor winner James Arthur and pop singer Conor Maynard join the former The Voice judge on stage.

The Oxford Street Christmas lights switch-on cost £1.5m and is seen as the official start of the festive season in the West End, which traditionally rakes in over £1bn in sales during the period.

Jessie J said: “The lights switch-on is a prestigious part of the festive season for Londoners and I’m proud to be a part of it.”