Joe McElderry to launch Newcastle's outdoor ice rink at Life Science Centre

Life Science Centre will be a whirl of action this Friday when it launches its annual open-air ice rink with a touch of showbiz glitter.

The Newcastle attraction will be welcoming singer Joe McElderry for the official opening of its festive pop-up in Times Square which always attracts hordes of eager skaters throughout its seasonal run. And the South Shields star, who is appearing in pantomime at the Theatre Royal again this year, will be bringing some early festive sparkle to the special event.

The former X Factor winner, who is to co-star in The Little Mermaid alongside panto regulars Clive & Danny from November 26, will be accompanied by some fellow cast members for the opening of the rink and they no doubt will be adding extra entertainment too. The 6.30pm launch, which will be attended by invited guests and competition winners, will also feature Backworth Colliery band who will add to the mood by playing festive tunes.

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Following the official launch, members of Newcastle University’s skating society will be the first to take to the ice with a skating routine that will set the scene for what's to come. The rink will then open to the public from Saturday with bookings available up to Christmas and beyond.

And the skating programme, which will include relaxed sessions with adjusted lighting and noise levels for people with sensory needs, will feature some very special events too, including a Sam Fender-theme night on November 20, offering skating sessions to a soundtrack of hits by the Hypersonic Missiles star, and a Skate It Off Taylor Swift night on November 22 which invites Swifties of all ages to take a spin while listening to the pop icon's back-to-back songs.

There also will be silent discos, for ages 13-plus, on November 25-26 while another event guaranteed to appeal to all ages will be Skate and Sing karaoke sessions on December 3 which will see skaters given a mic so they can sing along to on-screen lyrics of their chosen tune as they take a whirl.

Aside for these special ticketed events, the annual treat at Life offers a range of time sessions to choose from during its run from November 9 until January 5 - save for Christmas Day, Boxing Day and New Year’s Day - and an early bird 20% ticket discount is currently available: see here. Otherwise tickets cost £15 for adults; £13.50 for those aged 10 and over and £11.50 for nine and under.

There's a different price rate for peak dates of December 21-24, of £19 for adults; £16.50 for 10-17-year-olds and £14 and aged nine and under. All dates have options of family tickets and free access for carers as well as discounts available for Life members and groups. To book see here.