Rupert Grint with Alex Zane in Highgate Village

ANOTHER year, and another magnificent start to Christmas with the annual lights switch-on in Highgate.

Yesterday (Wednesday) the illuminations were turned on by none other than Harry Potter actor Rupert Grint, with the event hosted by Alex Zane.

There were cheers from the crowd as the high street lit up at Pond Square, with Mr Grint leading everyone in a spell of light: “Highgateus Illuminatus.”

Speaking to the New Journal, Mr Grint said: “Everyone gathers together and it’s a really special event, and Christmas is always a great time of year.”

This is the second time the actor, who played Ron Weasley in the Harry Potter films, has switched on the Highgate lights.

Mr Grint said: “It’s 10 years now since we finished Harry Potter, so you would think it would die down, but it keeps finding new life. It’s always nice to meet people who still love the films and come to events like this.”

In the Philosopher’s Stone film, Ron Weasley received a very special woollen jumper at Christmas time.

Mr Grint, who has lived in Highgate for five years, added: “I don’t have the original jumper myself, but one year someone made one for my daughter. I’d like one of those for Christmas this year — it was a good jumper, comfy and had a good colour. I still remember it really clearly.”

Alex Zane, in his seventh year of hosting the event, said: “I’ve been in Highgate for 23 years and it’s lovely to be asked to host the lights switch-on again. When the email comes through it’s a quick yes, because it makes me feel part of this community. It’s nice to give something back. We are, as a society, spending more time on our own, so anything that brings people out and gives them a group experience is special.”

After funding this year was cut by the local authorities in Camden and Haringey, the community came together in true Christmas spirit to make the lights a reality.

The lights on the high street were funded by six generous sponsors: Riverside, Channing and Highgate Schools, Streathers, Urban Baristas and Valouran.

The lights in Pond Square might not have been possible without donations from local businesses — Angel, Day Morris, Fair in the Square, Grazyna, Highgate Dental Practice, Highgate Society, Hilltop Beauty Salon, HLSI, Lavender on the Hill, Namaaste, Prickett & Ellis, Sacred, Taylor Gibbs and Winkworth — as well as many local residents who raised more than £5,000 to make the display in the square a reality.