AS former X-Factor finalist Eoghan Quigg took to the stage, the sound of hundreds of screaming fans filled Derby's Market Place.

Many of them had been waiting hours to catch a glimpse of the teenage singer and some were even reduced to tears when he finally appeared.

Among them was 13-year-old Emily Wint, of Normanton – a huge Eoghan fan who described his performance at the Christmas lights switch-on as "amazing".

And Eoghan was not the only contestant from last year's run of the ITV show to help turn on the Christmas lights in Derby.

Earlier in the day Laura White, another former finalist, had wowed fans at Westfield with her performance, before turning on the centre's own lights display.

The 21-year-old performed three songs, including a rendition of Adele's hit, Chasing Pavements, which she performed on the X Factor.

The event provided something for the whole family, with displays from dance group Dynamite and young contortionist Lucy Mather, the runners-up and winner of Derby talent show Fame Factor, adding to the excitement.

Laura White fans Frankie Pare, Emma Huntley, Sophia Congiu and Jemma Taylor, all 13, were thrilled to see their idol perform live at Westfield.

Katie said: "I think it's amazing she's come to Derby. She's a really good singer and I like her style, it's really individual."

When asked by the Telegraph what advice she would give to aspiring young singers, Laura said: "Be thick-skinned more than anything, it's so tough to keep yourself going and believing."

Bernadette O'Leary, Katie Powell, Alice Goodwin and Chelsea Poyntoy, all 15, made sure they were at the front of the crowd to see Eoghan's 5.20pm performance – by turning up three hours early.

Brandishing home-made signs proclaiming their love for the Irish heart-throb, the girls said they could not believe the singer was performing in their home town.

Alice said: "We voted for him all the time when he was on X-Factor and now he's here in Derby – it's amazing."

Speaking to the Telegraph before his performance, Eoghan said he was looking forward to going out and giving the crowd a good show.

He talked about how his life has changed since coming third in last year's X-Factor.

"It's hard to explain how much I've done inside one year," he said. "A split second decision can such a difference, I wasn't even going to enter X-Factor until the last minute.

"My advice for people in the same position is to go for it and always follow your dreams."

During his performance, Eoghan delighted his fans by leaping off the stage and running along the front of the audience, touching the outstretched hands of the screaming crowd.

Kelly Beaumont, 21, partner Ben Bebbington, 25, and their children, Jack, three, and Ella, one, watched the performance.

Kelly said: "We saw the switch-on in Westfield then came down to the Market Place to see the switch-on there too.

"It was a good night, the kids enjoyed it and it's something the whole family can do."

Saturday's events kicked off at 10.30am, with characters from children's TV show Angelina Ballerina performing in Westfield.

From 11am Bart and Homer Simpson were also at the centre meeting fans, with Laura White performing from 2.30pm before turning on the centre's lights, with the help of Santa.

A parade featuring the Ugly Sisters from this year's pantomine Cinderella then set off from Westfield, making its way to the Market Place.

Here Ram FM's Dino and Pete kept the crowds entertained, while the Mayor of Derby, Councillor Sean Marshall, cabinet member for leisure and culture Joe Naitta and artistic director for Derby Live Pete Meakin all addressed the crowds.

The city centre was then officially lit up at 5.45pm, with the crowd counting down to the big moment together.

Watching the events was Elaine Locker, who attended with her grandchildren Beth, 14, Gemma, eight, and Sam, four.

She said: "It's been a brilliant night. The younger ones enjoyed seeing Santa and the Snow Queen and the Ugly Sisters from the pantomime.

"And my oldest granddaughter is at the front with her friends waiting to see Eoghan, whom she loves.

"It's been a great family night out."

The huge numbers of people attending the event led to severe congestion in the city centre, with London Road, Ashbourne Road and the inner ring road all affected as people arrived and left the switch-on.

Click here to listen to an interview with Eoghan Quigg