SCREAMING fans brought Merry Hill to a standstill as Diversity and Stavros Flatley switched on the mall’s Christmas lights.

Thousands of fans had been queuing since the centre opened to see the stars from Britain's Got Talent kick off the festive season on Friday.

Comedy father and son dance duo Stavros Flatley hyped the crowds up to a frenzy with their hysterical routines, which they themselves describe as two fat versions of Michael Flatley with a Greek element, before Diversity took to the stage to ear piercing screams.

Merry Hill bosses had to build an extended stage to fit in the 11 members of the dance troupe, who thrilled the crowds with their impressive moves.

The TV talent show winners proved what worthy winners they were, as they performed their breathtaking and jaw dropping routines, with their main dance choreographed as a tribute to Michael Jackson.

The two acts then took to the stage to switch on the lights and shower the audience with confetti cannons, before bursting into impromptu dancing together, much to the delight of the waiting crowds.

Speaking to the News afterwards, the Diversity lads, who admitted they don’t have any time off for Christmas this year, said they were overwhelmed by the amount of people who had turned out to see them.

Ashley Banjo, lead choreographer, said: “Meeting people is the best thing about this, getting so close up and dancing and talking to thousands of people and hearing everyone’s response is really nice.”

While Demetrios Demetriou from Stavros Flatley said they too were blown away with the fans who had turned out to see them.

“It is in a different class to have people scream your name - people had Stavros banners and we even saw a couple of Greek flags which was fantastic” he said.

Emma Hindes, Merry Hill Centre Manager, said: “We were expecting a big crowd and we weren’t disappointed, it was a fantastic event. It looked like virtually every fan in the West Midlands came to get a glimpse of them!”.

To see more pictures from the event Click here