Film star Nicolas Cage brought a touch of Hollywood glamour to Bath last night – and the city to a standstill.

The 45-year-old actor attracted thousands of people to the switching on of Bath’s Christmas lights.

Police estimated up to 9,000 people flocked to the city centre to catch a glimpse of the star, packing into Milsom Street, Northgate Street and Stall Street and hanging out of offices and shop windows.

The star of Con Air and Leaving Las Vegas said: “My friends, I love you.

“Thank you, citizens of Somerset and citizens of Bath, for your kindness and graciousness in welcoming me to your community.

 “I love Bath. I am happy in Bath."

He told the crowds he would be spending his third Christmas in Bath with his family next month.

He said: “It is the most beautiful city in the world.”

Smartly attired in a suit and tie, he then joined city mayor, Councillor Colin Barrett, and B&NES Council chairman Bryan Chalker in pushing a plunger to switch on the lights.

After leaving a specially-erected stage at the foot of Milsom Street, he shook hands with onlookers and was hugged and kissed by shop staff as he made his way back to his car.

Getting the Hollywood legend to agree to do the honours in the city, where until recently he owned two houses and switch-ons had traditionally been performed by civic dignitaries, was a real coup.

His presence was triggered by a letter from Bath Chronicle commercial videographer and events organiser Emma Samways, which she put through the door of his former home in the Circus.

He had been introduced to the stage by Heart FM presenter Toby Anstis, who said Cage was the biggest name to turn on any festive lights in Britain this year.

Fans from as far afield as Manchester, Derby and Ipswich had travelled to Bath to see the star.

Matt Baker, 19,  from Ipswich said: “I am a huge fan.”

He and a group of friends had arrived at 1pm to be at the front of the crowd.

Also at the front of the queue to see her favourite actor was 37-year-old Linda Wall from Kingswood, Bristol. She said: “I like his voice, he has such a sexy voice, I can’t help it.”

Police and council chiefs had warned that once 3,000 people were inside Milsom Street and the area around the stage, no more would be allowed in.

In fact more than that were in the area before the decision was taken to turn people away.

For a few tense minutes there were fears that people may be in danger of getting crushed in the middle of Milsom Street and there were regular requests for the crowd to move back up the road, which was jampacked with fans.

Car parks and park-and-ride sites surrounding the city were full long before Cage took to the stage.

Before the Hollywood star appeared on stage crowds were entertained by a succession of musical acts.

These included musicians and singers from the city’s Kingswood School, and the recently formed Bath Chorus Choir.

The switch-on coincided with the first day of Bath’s popular Christmas market and a major primary school carol concert, which also attracted hundreds of people.

Before switching on the lights the Academy Award winner was told more about the heritage of the city by the mayor, and clerk to the charter trustees, Ann Tipper. She said: “He was very relaxed and a lovely family man.”

Later Cage was given another history lesson with a tour of the Roman Baths, before a reception at that venue with sponsors, civic guests and local business people.

Sam Holliday, editor of the Chronicle, which along with the council, Future Bath Plus, Boots, the SouthGate centre, and Heart FM had sponsored the night, told Cage in a speech at the event that the star was now “an honorary Bathonian”.

When word spread of the ticket-only reception, hundreds of people had gathered outside the attraction, and Cage needed a police escort to make his way back through the crowds.

City centre manager Andrew Cooper said: “I think we are all amazed at the turnout of people.

“Everything has been fantastic and people were well behaved and orderly.”

Organisers had been on their guard after a similar event in Birmingham earlier this month, which saw 60 people injured as boy band JLS were guest stars at the switching-on of that city’s lights.

There was disappointment that large screens set up to help people see the proceeding on stage were only switched on on one side - facing up Milsom Street.

Council officials were worried that turning it on on the side facing Stall Street would have caused safety problems.

Officers reckon there were between 8,000 and 9,000 people in the city for the event, and had a police helicopter in the air monitoring the situation for safety reasons.

Head of the B&NES police division Chief Supt Gary Davies said: “From a police perspective this event has been a big success, but it has also been excellent for Bath.

“Thousands of people enjoyed themselves and this marks the opening of Christmas for the city.

“We are particularly grateful to the residents and shopkeepers in the city who may have been disrupted by the event.”

Cage, who was accompanied by his family at the activities last night, decided earlier this year to sell his two homes in Bath, at the Circus and Midford Castle, but he is keeping a house near Glastonbury.

A council spokesman said the crowd had been good-natured.

"This hugely successful event has brought thousands of extra people to the city. All the agencies involved including Bath and North East Somerset Council, emergency services and stewards worked closely together to ensure the event went as smoothly as possible and that everyone enjoyed themselves."

Have you got pictures of you with Nicolas Cage? We'd love to share them with the rest of the city.  Email them to us as soon as possible via news@bathchron.co.uk

For an exclusive interview with Nicolas Cage and eight pages of pictures of the night Bath will remember for years, see next week’s Bath Chronicle - out on December 3.

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