Two of the most beloved stars from this year's Celebrity Traitors, Stephen Fry and Celia Imrie, enjoyed an unexpected reunion on Wednesday evening as they presided over the illumination of Covent Garden's legendary Christmas lights.
A Festive Gathering of Stars
The acting legends were joined by Hollywood star Hayley Atwell and esteemed actor Derek Jacobi for the festive occasion, marking their first meeting since filming the hit BBC show approximately six months earlier. The duo appeared genuinely delighted to cross paths again amidst the Christmas celebrations that drew substantial crowds to London's famous entertainment district.
The event celebrated The Theatre of Christmas theme, paying homage to Covent Garden's long-standing reputation as London's theatrical heartland. Ambassadors for Acting For Others, Covent Garden's official charity partner, participated in the festivities to raise crucial funds and support for the theatre industry.
Spectacular Festive Display
The switch-on ceremony illuminated London's largest handpicked Christmas tree, the Market Building, and numerous festive installations throughout Seven Dials. The area has transformed into the ultimate Christmas destination, adorned with 40 gigantic gold bells and 12 giant baubles featuring over 29 miles of gold leaf.
The evening featured spectacular performances from West End productions including The Lion King, Hercules, and Cabaret, alongside the London International Gospel Choir, creating a magical atmosphere that captured the spirit of the season.
Celebrity Reactions to the Magical Evening
Hayley Atwell, who cut an elegant figure in a pale grey Erdem skirt suit featuring an eye-catching watercolour pattern, expressed her enthusiasm for the event. 'As someone whose life has been shaped by the magic of theatre, it's a joy to help switch on Covent Garden's Christmas lights,' she remarked. 'I have so many special memories of time spent in the neighbourhood over the years and there's truly nowhere like Covent Garden at Christmas.'
Celia Imrie shared her excitement, noting 'As the lights come on tonight, it feels a bit like the curtain rising on the best show in town. And what a joy that we're doing it in support of Acting for Others, helping those who make the magic of theatre possible all year round.'
Stephen Fry described the evening as 'unforgettable', adding 'The air was simply brimming and frothing with anticipation as the glittering, twinkling theatre of Christmas came alive.'
Remembering Their Traitors Journey
The reunion brought back memories of their time on Celebrity Traitors, where both Stephen and Celia served as Faithfuls in the Scottish Highlands castle. Stephen's leadership position and valuable insight ultimately led to questions about his status, resulting in his banishment after a particularly fiery roundtable discussion.
Reflecting on his experience, the Cambridge-educated star admitted to being 'unbelievably stupid' during the game, despite his renowned intellect and Mensa membership. 'We fool ourselves, which is unbelievably stupid,' he confessed. 'You have to accept the fact that human beings cannot read lies and that human beings are brilliant dissemblers and pretenders, and there's no way of telling.'
Celia emerged as a surprise breakout star on the programme but met a different fate – she was murdered by Alan Carr in plain sight after growing suspicious of his Traitor status. The show recently concluded with Alan Carr successfully avoiding detection by the Faithfuls, winning the entire £87,500 prize pot in a nail-biting finale that kept viewers on the edge of their seats.
The Christmas lights switch-on marks Covent Garden's official transformation into London's premier festive destination, combining celebrity glamour with theatrical magic to create an unforgettable start to the holiday season.
