EastEnders star Sid Owen has stepped in to switch on the Christmas lights at Chatham's Dockside - after his on-screen little sister pulled out suddenly to join the I'm A Celebrity... Get Me Out of Here! line-up.

Charlie Brooks, who plays scheming Janine in the soap, had signed up to perform the honours at the shopping centre next Saturday.

But instead the actress this week flew to the others side of the world to take part in the reality TV show in the jungle.

Her last-minute snub left PR and marketing bosses with an unexpected headache to hastily find a replacement.

Sid, who plays cheeky chappy Ricky 'Rickaaay' Butcher, has just finished a stint on TV series Strictly Come Dancing where he partnered Ola Jordan before being voted off.

A statement from West End PR agency Primal issued today said: "It is with regret that Charlie Brooks has had to cancel her appearance on 17 November at Dockside due to TV/filming commitments."

Charlie is currently on a six-month break from EastEnders.

She will go head-to-head in the jungle with former Coronation Street babe Helen Flanagan who has quit as Rosie Webster.

Sid, who is said to be "excited" about his late signing, will be flicking the switch at 4pm.