REALITY TV star Joey Essex will switch on the Christmas lights in Salisbury this week.

Salisbury City Council is "delighted" that Joey, who came to prominence through the TV series The Only Way Is Essex ( TOWIE) , will be in the town on the evening of Thursday November 17 at the annual Christmas Lights Switch On event in the Market Place from 6pm until 8pm.

The popular event organised by Salisbury City Council attracts thousands of people and kick starts Christmas in Salisbury and late night shopping in the City.

Joey Essex, 26, rose to fame in 2011 after appearing in the ITV2 television series The Only Way Is Essex with several of his family and friends. Most recently he has been the presenter on ITV2’s Educating Joey Essex with the second series about the American elections having just aired.

In 2013 he took part in the first series of the celebrity diving show Splash! as well as the thirteenth series of I'm a Celebrity...Get Me Out of Here, where he finished in fourth place. In 2015, he won the Channel 4 reality series The Jump. He has had television appearances, on shows such as Celebrity Juice and 8 Out of 10 Cats Does Countdown to name a few.

Looking forward to the big switch on in Salisbury, Joey said, “It’s going to be 'reem' [Joey language for fabulous or great] to be in Salisbury, I cannot wait to see you all on the night!”

The Christmas Lights Switch On event showcases local bands and performers and also includes a visit by Father Christmas, The Mayor of Salisbury and a blessing from The Very Reverend June Osbourne.

For full details go to www.salisburycitycouncil.gov.uk or call 01722 342860