HUNDREDS of people gathered in The Broadway on Saturday to watch girl band B*Witched and 2023's Christmas lights switch-on.

B*Witched, who are celebrating their 25th anniversary this year, took to the stage to perform some of their biggest hits including C’est La Vie - much to thrill their adoring fans.

Enthusiastic fan Nikki Eldred, of Bradford, thoroughly enjoyed the performance of B*Witched.

Ilkley Gazette: B*Witched performed Saturday evening at The Broadway. The evening was capped off by a dazzling

“It brings back memories of my teenage years,” she said. “But I still love them, not just in my childhood.

“Every time I’ve seen them I’ve had to pay for a ticket, so this is great to see them for free. But I don’t mind paying to go and watch them.”

Ilkley Gazette: Girl band B*Witched perform at The Broadway.Girl band B*Witched perform at The Broadway. (Image: Newsquest)

“It was nice that my son could see them for the first time,” said Bingley woman Rebecca Palmer, who was with her son Seth.

“It was a guilty pleasure for me.”

She also said they were impressed by the Christmas lights switch-on.

Ilkley Gazette: Girl band B*Witched perform at The Broadway.Girl band B*Witched perform at The Broadway. (Image: Newsquest)

“My son was really impressed by the lights. Now that the lights are we’re ready for Christmas," said Rebecca.

Bradford woman Nikki Bagri and her son Manraj and daughter Maiya did some Christmas shopping and took in the band's performance as well as the light switch-on.

Ilkley Gazette: The Broadway switched on its Christmas lights on Saturday.The Broadway switched on its Christmas lights on Saturday. (Image: Newsquest)

“It was absolutely brilliant,” Manraj said of the B*Witched performance.

“We loved it,” added Nikki. “It was a good thing to do as a family. It was also really good to see the lights switched on. It got in the festive spirit. We did some Christmas shopping today.”

Ilkley Gazette: The stars gather on stage to push the plunger to switch on The Broadway Christmas lights.The stars gather on stage to push the plunger to switch on The Broadway Christmas lights. (Image: Newsquest)

After B*Witched finished their set, radio presenters Dixie and Emma, from Heart Yorkshire, asked the large crowd in attendance: “How amazing was that Bradford?”

Their response was met with screams and cheers from the crowd.

Many of the stars who performed or made an appearance during the day – Rate My Takeaway’s Danny Malin, saxophonist Ellie Sax and B*Witched – gathered on stage to push the plunger and switch on The Broadway’s beautiful seasonal lights. 

Ian Ward, general manager of The Broadway, said: “It was a very hectic and busy day. We had some great performances by Ellie Sax, ABBA tribute act Masters of Scene and it was finished off nicely by B*Witched.”

He said the switch-on at the end of the evening got everyone in the Christmas spirit.

“The lights all look amazing,” he said. “The whole of idea of the switch-on is to kickstart the Christmas season.

“A lot of the shops are already on Christmas now. We’re starting the festive period.”