CELEBRITY guests for this year’s Festive Launch in Bradford are to be announced in the coming weeks as the five-week countdown to the event begins.

The Broadway’s Festive Launch – in its sixth year - has an exciting list of acts confirmed but general manager of the shopping centre, Ian Ward, said: “I don’t want to give away too much”.

The event will take place on Saturday, November 11 and The Broadway’s returning talent show has also been launched to find the district’s next big star.

'Broadway Presents' gives those with special talents across the city and suburbs the chance to potentially perform on the big stage at the Festive Launch.

Budding stars can now submit audition videos in the first phase of the competition and successful applicants will then be invited to perform live in front of a panel of judges at the Broadway on Saturday, October 21 and Saturday, October 28.

Mr Ward said: “I’m really pleased that we are on the five-week countdown to our much-anticipated Festive Launch.

“I don’t want to give away too much at the moment but we will welcome acts that the whole family will love, including acts from the Disney film Encanto.

“This year’s celebrity performers will be announced in the coming weeks and closer to the event.

“It’s also great news that ‘Broadway Presents’ is returning for the third time.

“In the past we have seen so much talent in the audition phase so we just knew that we had to bring this back again.”

There are two categories for the talent show: “under 25” and “over 25”.

The finalists, shortlisted from the two audition dates, will perform on stage at the Festive Launch in front of judges and the audience.

The crowned winner of each category will then take centre stage to showcase their winning act.

As well as performing in front of a large crowd of Bradfordians, each winner will receive a £250 Bradford City Centre gift card, which can be spent at The Broadway and across the city.

Mr Ward said: “Each year we try and better the previous year and it’s all hands on deck at The Broadway to make sure we have a seamless event.

“We can’t wait to see everyone there.”

The Festive Launch is a free event and exciting performances, guest appearances, and competitions will be announced in the coming weeks.