Organisers of Saturday’s Christmas lights switch-on in Bradford city centre are urging people to attend the show, but are keen to dispel rumours that teen band One Direction will be making an appearance.

Bradford Council bosses have planned a family event that starts mid-morning with an ice sculpture trail and ends with a show at 5.30pm with ice queen and wizard characters turning on the lights, followed by a fireworks finale.

But strong rumours have been circulating online and in schools in the district that last year’s X Factor finalists One Direction will make an appearance.

To avoid disappointing fans, Council organisers have stressed the rumour is untrue and One Direction’s management confirmed that the band would be in Ireland promoting their next single.

It is thought the rumour could have started because one of the band, Zayn Malik, is from Bradford.

Councillor David Green, the Council’s executive member with responsibility for culture and events, said the ice sculptures, show and fireworks were designed to attract a family audience. He also confirmed the rumours about One Direction were untrue.

It is the fourth year the Council has not invited a celebrity to switch on the city’s Christmas lights, instead staging a family show.

As a result there has been a major shift in the audience from groups of teenagers to families.

Coun Green said: “This year we are deliberately doing it differently and hopefully better in that there will be events during the day, such as the ice sculptures, which are going to be fascinating.

“There is no headline act and I would like to stress that in case anybody has been following the rumours online.”

The event will include festive ice sculptures that mark a trail throughout the city centre and in the afternoon shoppers can watch a piece of ice being sculpted into a showpiece by Bradford artist Jamie Wardley.

The ice sculptures will be located in Centenary Square, Tyrell Square, Bank Street, Darley Street, Kirkgate and John Street, and in addition Christmas characters such as Santas, elves and Christmas crackers will provide entertainment around that area.

The switch-on will begin with a show, called A Christmas Feast, with festive characters presenting a tale that demonstrates the spirit of Christmas.

A narrative will be provided by a wizard who will switch on the lights accompanied by a mechanical ice queen.

The ice sculptures will be moved to Bank Street after the show and remain until Thursday, weather permitting.

e-mail: jo.winrow@telegraphandargus.co.uk