Merry Hill mania for switch-on by Peter

Thousands of fans went "Insania" as pop and TV heart- throb Peter Andre visited Merry Hill shopping centre to switch on the Christmas lights.

So many people turned out to see the singer that he was caught up in the traffic and delayed by 20 minutes.

But he more than made up for the wait by spending nearly an hour after the switch-on signing autographs for the hundreds of fans who had queued. The star, who first shot to fame with his 1996 hit Mysterious Girl, was visibly overwhelmed at the crowd last night.

Some had been waiting from 9am to ensure a good view as the singer performed live at the centre's Fountain Square at 6.20pm before turning on the lights

Although his wife Katie Price – former glamour model Jordan – did not attend the show, no-one seemed disappointed, with the crowd shouting and screaming throughout.

And for two members of the audience, it was a dream come true as the star pulled them out of the audience to appear on stage with him. First was 21-year-old Emily Hampshire, of Himley Road, Dudley, after Peter noticed her T-shirt was from a previous tour. The superfan tried to ring her mother while on stage, and the crowd cheered loudly as the star had a quick word.

Also invited on stage was 18-year-old Natalie Owen, of Calewood Road, Quarry Bank, who Peter chose to help him switch on the lights. "I have been here since 12.30pm today; it has certainly been worth the wait."

Peter performed Mysterious Girl and a mix of Terence Trent D'arby's Sign Your Name Across My Heart and Adamski's Killer. He also performed an acapella version of Bill Withers's Ain't No Sunshine, admitting to the crowd that he had brought enough music for only two songs.

Alisha Myatt, 16, of Gorsely Piece, Quinton, said: "The atmosphere has been amazing." Gemma Smith, 19, from Dudley, took along her nine-year-old cousin Brandon to see the lights switched on but she added: "I have to admit, I think it was me that wanted to come down here more than anything to see Peter in the flesh."

Julie Morris, 39, of Tipton, said: "I thought he seemed a really nice person."

Later the star spoke to the Express & Star about his plans for a family Christmas. He has denied rumours in recent weeks that he is splitting from his wife after the couple admitted to rows on their reality TV shows.

And last night Peter said spending the festive season with his wife and children will be his best Christmas present. "Junior is at the age now where he is starting to understand all about Christmas and getting presents, Princess Tiaamii loves the lights, and Harvey is understanding more and more every day," he said.

"The best present for me will be to spend Christmas with them and Kate and to see the looks on their faces when they open the presents." He had told the audience that he usually cooked Christmas dinner but that his wife had "threatened" to cook a big lunch this year. Peter also said that despite his fame, he still did his own Christmas shopping. He told the Express & Star he had been overwhelmed at the response of the crowd at Merry Hill. "When I arrived, and they told me there were thousands, I could not believe it. Going through those doors to the stage, it was like 1996 all over again."

Peter said he and his wife were getting ready to work on another series of their reality show and he was working an album which he hoped to release next year.

"I am about three-quarters of the way through it," he said. If the album is a hit, he also hopes to tour some time as well.