TV PRESENTER Piers Morgan was left red-faced in Stockbridge after his honours of turning on the Christmas lights failed to go to plan.

The Good Morning Britain co-host pushed the plunger to light up High Street on Friday, 1 December, but left the town in the dark due to a faulty socket from St Peter’s Church.

Thousands of people turned up for the festivities, the crowd turning from laughter to cheers when the lights finally illuminated.

The winter night also saw support for local hero Alex Lewis and residents enjoyed entertainment from fire eaters to jugglers, an appearance from Father Christmas, handbell ringers, two choirs, Test Valley Brass and plenty more.

ITV Meridian also came to film the event, and the footage of Piers’ mishap was replayed over and over again on GMB the following Monday morning.

Stockbridge Christmas committee chair Sophie Walters said: “What a night to remember in more ways than one.

“Things didn’t go entirely to plan! At the appointed hour Piers started the countdown with the huge crowd outside the church and pushed the plunger and nothing happened.

“The crowd roared with laughter and a somewhat surprised Piers implored the crowd not to inform his onscreen wife, Susanna Reid of his ‘failure’.”

Afterwards, Mr Morgan and Mr Lewis were joined by six auction winners to have dinner with them at The Greyhound pub.

Photography by Javid Akhtar.