The award-winning star performed in front of around 40,000 enthusiastic revellers at the Christmas lights switch-on at Victoria Gardens.

* CLICK HERE FOR PIXIE LOTT VIDEO INTERVIEW.

Pixie said she was "excited" to be flicking the switch at the festive extravaganza and dazzled fans with hits Boys and Girls, Mama Do and forthcoming single Cry Me Out, which had the masses stretching along the Headrow dancing and singing along.

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The 18-year-old, who last week claimed two MTV Europe Music Awards, described the past 12 months as: "Crazy, amazing, very busy – but I've had a lot of fun."

She confessed to being a fan of X-Factor's Olly and Lloyd and said twins John and Edward, dubbed 'Jedward', were "having a lot of fun, so good luck to them".

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Pixie stole the show after X-Factor's Alexandra Burke pulled out due to "contractual issues".

Kelly Rowlands, 15, of Wortley, said: "I really wanted to see Pixie and she was absolutely brilliant. The Christmas lights are really good – actually, I think they are better than last year's."

Sophie Raistrick, 16, said: "We were coming to see Alexandra Burke but I like Pixie more than Alexandra so I was glad that Pixie took over."
And while last year's winner failed to make it to Leeds, one of the show's most memorable rejects, Emma Chawner, did.

She took to the stage singing Twinkle Twinkle Little Star after being introduced by GMTV's Lorraine Kelly.

Real Radio's Breakfast Show energetic hosts Dixie and Gayle kept the party going, introducing a host of guests including popstars Girls Can't Catch and Mini Viva, plus Leeds United players, England and Australia rugby league stars and Santa, who conjured up some snowflakes to fall alongside the rain.


* A woman was taken to Leeds General Infirmary after being hit by a taxi on nearby Albion Street at 6.50pm, just before festivities got under way. Police said she banged her head but was not thought to be seriously hurt.