Former soap star will turn on Kettering's Christmas lights - but council still hopeful of bagging Lindsay Lohan

The actress, who played Heather Trott in the BBC soap until her character was murdered, will take part in the big switch-on on November 24.

But Kettering Council is still hopeful of Hollywood actress Lindsay Lohan making an appearance after her EU referendum outburst in June.

A council spokesman said: “Kettering Council has been in direct contact with Ms Lohan’s representatives; her schedule is very tight but they are looking to see if they can make it work.

“The cast of the Lighthouse Theatre’s Beauty and the Beast, including former EastEnders star Cheryl Fergison, will be there and there promises to be a wide range of entertainment with the added glitz and glamour of a potential visit from a Hollywood actress.”

Ms Lohan took to Twitter to vent her anger at places in the UK which had voted to leave the EU on June 23 this year, including Kettering.

MP Philip Hollobone then invited her in Parliament to turn on the town’s Christmas lights, but efforts to contact her had proved fruitless until recently.

The Christmas lights switch-on will be on Thursday, November 24, and events will run from 5pm to 7pm in the Market Place.