Regent Street Christmas lights 2018 are on! Doctor Who star Jodie Whitaker hits the switch on London's famous shopping street

Fireworks filled the night sky as hundreds of shoppers were left in awe by Regent Street's big Christmas lights switch-on.

London's famous shopping street saw Doctor Who star Jodie Whitaker push the big red button after the cast of Dreamgirls and other performers took to the stage to entertain the crowds.

Twitter users posted their photos on social media of the glitzy event marking the countdown to Christmas.

"Christmas has finally started," one Twitter user said.

Another added: "Christmas isn't really Christmas until you've watched the Doctor herself turn on the Regent Street Christmas lights."

Whitaker, whose first series as the Doctor is currently airing on the BBC, said at the event: "This is ace innit?

"There's some stuff that happens in life that you've got to be a scrooge if you're not going to get excited about.

"I think there was a second delay in my response to the email... I was like 'Yes please! And can I bring 17 people'."

"I'm in it because it's not offensively early," she added. "When it starts in September I mean, come one, It's September, we've got Halloween first."

"Paying the Doctor is an extraordinary moment in your life. Being a part of the Doctor Who family is something I couldn't even have begun to understand. The thing about knowing that families are sitting down watching it on a Saturday evening is really moving."

In addition to the celebrity performances and glittering lights, shops on the street stayed open late for visitors.