IT WAS one small step for Banbury into the Christmas season but one big leap for an X-Factor winner's daughter.

Thousands turned out to help X-Factor winner Sam Bailey light up the town for the big Christmas switch on.

Behind the scenes the day was made even more memorable as Mrs Bailey's 1-year-old daughter Miley took her first steps at Babury Town Hall.

The X-Factor winner said: "My 14-month-old daughter Miley walked for the first time in Banbury Town Hall.

"So not only have I been to a fabulous lights switch-on, but my baby took her first steps.
"It has been a day to remember."

Helping to make it a memorable day was the crowd who turned out in their thousands.

Fairy lights decked the town as about two thousand people braved the wind and rain to welcome in the festive season.

Mrs Bailey, who won over viewers in the ITV talent show in 2013, plunged the streets into a wonderland of lights alongside town mayor Tony Mapham and St Nicholas himself.

Councillor Mepham said: "The weather was appalling but the show went on.

"All the stage acts were good and Sam Bailey was a great star guest.

"But maybe the real stars were all the people who came out in the rain to support what was once again a terrific Banbury Christmas Lights switch-on."

Sam Bailey is appearing in the pantomime Dick Whittington at Aylesbury this season and will star in the musical Chicago next year including at the New Theatre next year.

She proved a popular finale to an afternoon of jam-packed entertainment that included a Beyonce tribute act, Banbury Rock Choir and local band The Next Hot Thing.

The show was compered by Banbury Sound presenter Kirsty Leahy and Stewart Green, founder, station manager and presenter of Puritans Radio, the internet radio station of Banbury United FC.


Families also took advantage of the host of fun fair rides and sideshows throughout Market Place.

Father Christmas also popped by on his sleigh as part of the Banbury Round Table Christmas float.