City council ‘expecting a full refund of fees’ after star misses Christmas lights switch-on
DERBY City Council says it is expecting Simon Webbe to pay back his fee in full after the celebrity was forced to miss his big Christmas lights switch-on appearance in the city.
The Blue singer was due to be the star attraction of a live stage show outside the Council House on Corporation Street on Saturday night but was unable to attend due to an issue with his car.
The former I’m a Celebrity...Get Me Out Of Here contestant took to social media to explain why he couldn’t get to the city centre in time for the big switch-on at 6pm.
In his Instagram stories, the 45-year-old posted a picture of his car wheel which he says developed a flat tyre on the motorway as he travelled to Derby. In a series of videos, also shared on his Instagram stories on Saturday afternoon, Simon said: “I’m on my way to Derby to switchon the Christmas lights and on the motorway, boom, but don’t fret, I’ve got someone coming.
“I am hoping I can get there on time, pray for me guys, I really don’t want to miss this show, it’s the festive season so all I’ve got to do is wait for the guy to get here.”
He later shared footage of the recovery vehicle arriving and a mechanic trying to fix his tyre, but said: “Now I’ve just got to wait and see whether I can make it or if they can push the time back because it doesn’t look like I’m going to be on time now. Well gutted, well gutted.”
Derby City Council issued an apology to Simon’s fans after announcing he would not be attending at around 5.55pm on Saturday night.
The city council tweeted to say: “We’re really sorry but the fantastic Simon Webbe is unable to join us due to a car problem. We were hoping he’d be able to make it.
“We’d like to thank everyone for coming along and sticking around for fabulous fireworks and the lights switch-on.”
The local authority has confirmed it is expecting a full refund of fees after Simon was unable to attend the lights switch-on as planned.
A spokeswoman for Derby City Council said: “Simon Webbe was booked according to the standards of the events industry and we are expecting a full refund of fees.”
The Derby Telegraph has approached Simon Webbe’s agent for comment.
Saturday’s lights switch-on event saw a parade weaving its way from The Spot and through St Peter’s Street, Cornmarket and Derby Market Place to the stage, led by Derby Season of Light community lantern parade.
Entertainment started at 3.30pm, with the Christmas lights across the city centre switched at 6pm.
In the end, the lights were switched on by a group of people: Councillor Robin Wood, Mayor of Derby, Cassette Roulette Party Band, actors Morgan Brind, who plays the Dame Nurse Nancy Nightly, and Richard Brindley, who plays Mervin the Magician in the panto, Miss Derby, and Gareth Evans from Smooth FM.
A firework display was launched from the River Gardens to mark the switch-on.