The five-time Olympic Gold Medallist will be joined at St George's Plateau with Everton FC's Australian ace Tim Cahill and Liverpool FC's Norwegian star John Arne Risse. Ex-Atomic Kitten singer Liz McLarnon, who tops a live music bill including X-Factor finalist Tabby, will also join them at the hour long show.
Professor Drummond Bone, Chairman of the Liverpool Culture Company, said: ''This year's switch-on will be a stunning show and is a celebration of the many successes for the city this year - not least by our two football clubs. It's fantastic that we are also ending our culture themed year Sea Liverpool, with one of the greatest watersports legends - Sir Steve Redgrave.''
The Liverpool Culture Company's revamped switch-on takes the festive feel to more places than ever before. New lights have been installed on St George's Hall, County Sessions Walker and Central Library with improvements for Church Street and Lord Street. A forest of trees will take pride of place in front of St George's Hall with new trees also placed on London Road and Williamson Square. St George's Hall will also be the focus of this years' New Year's Eve fireworks spectacular. It is the latest key building to be used as part of a programme to host a special fireworks show for 2008 to launch the city's year as European Capital of Culture.
(Jim Evans)
