BRIDGWATER provided some much-needed Christmas cheer in the midst of the Covid pandemic when its Christmas lights switch-on went viral after not quite going to plan.

On this day in 2020, two local dignitaries – mayor Leigh Redman and Sedgemoor District Council leader Peter Clayton – held a private event at the Cornhill to illuminate the town while social distancing measures were still in place.

A video showed the pair pushing down on a large detonator-style switch, ostensibly to turn on the display. 

However, with impeccable comic timing and to the delight of people watching online, the lights behind them switched on a few seconds too early.

Within 10 days, the clip had been watched more than 700,000 times after being shared on Twitter (now X) by BBC Somerset.

BBC Radio 1 presenter Greg James was among the thousands of people who shared the video, tweeting: “THANK YOU COMEDY GODS. THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU.”

Another Twitter user wrote: “Who’d have thought those oversized light switch leavers didn’t actually turn Christmas lights on. My childhood memories are ruined.”

Eugene Byrne joked: “Everyone laughing at this and thinking it’s an error of timing is mistaken.

“Since 1738, the annual switching on of the Christmas illuminations in Bridgwater has been followed a moment later by the traditional crushing-to-death of a small animal by the mayor and town clerk.”

Cllr Redman took the mishap in his stride, saying he was pleased the “premature illumination” got people talking about the town.

He said: “We did a countdown with Peter and I facing away from Cornhill.

“It was not until we reviewed the video that we realised the switch had a hair trigger.

“I posted the video to the mayor's Facebook page that evening. It was a funny film that was there to promote Bridgwater.

“On Friday, I had a call from BBC Somerset with a request to share it on their page. I agreed, that was when things changed and social media took off.

“I was excited to see it take off in the Twittersphere and it looked like I was having my five minutes of fame.

“It took off. By Saturday morning, I was getting messages from friends – the BBC were running it on their national news.

“Soccer AM showed it, we’ve had retweets from John Cave on BBC Breakfast, Greg James from Radio 1, Jo Wiley and Rev Kate Botley to name a few.

“By late afternoon, it had had over half a million views.

“The main role when elected as mayor of Bridgwater is to promote our wonderful town – I think this is doing that.

“Yes, it was a bit of bad timing, but it was a bit of fun too. I am having so much fun, it's gone mad.”

He added: “This really is a bit of fun and I embrace it.”