FORMER England footballer Paul Merson will be playing a key role at this year's Teddington Lights Up, organisers confirmed this evening.

The ex-Arsenal player and current Soccer Saturday pundit has been chosen to officially switch on Teddington's lights and will be taking the stage by Elmfield Avenue next Thursday.

Merson, a long-term Teddington resident, made headlines recently for his new book Hooked: Addiction and the Long Road to Recovery (Hardback) detailing his 30-year battle against addiction.

In a tweet this evening organisers Teddington Together said: "We can officially announce that @PaulMerse

will be turning on the lights at the Teddington Xmas Lights Up event on the 25th November. "Watch the ex England and Arsenal player turn on our lights on the stage next to Elmfield Avenue between 6pm-6.30pm." Excitement is building for Teddington Lights Up which in its 2021 incarnation promises to be the biggest and best lights up yet. The much-loved event will see Teddington's centre taken over by music performances, market stalls and childrens' entertainment. And for the first time ever, Stanley Road will join Broad Street, the High Street, the Causeway, Park Road and Church Road in the celebration.* Teddington Nub News will be there - and we'll also be keeping you up to date over the next seven days with the latest on Lights Up.

• Correction: an earlier version of this article stated that these roads would close for the night. We have been informed this is not correct.