ED Balls – famous for doing the Gangnam Style on Strictly and searching his own name on Twitter, and at one stage being an MP – was handed the honour of pressing the button at the annual Christmas lights countdown at Highbury Barn on Sunday.

He was accompanied by the feelgood carols from the Joan of Arc band and choir.

Highbury councillors Benali Hamdache, Caroline Russell and Ernestas Jegorovas-Armstrong joined in the festivities, and Radio 4’s Today programme presenter Nick Robinson was also among the crowd of wrapped-up residents.

The Highbury Barn lights switch-on has been organised by former Islington Council leader Lib Dem Terry Stacy, for the past 15 years.