Meet Johnny Depp's rival for Portishead Christmas lights switch-on

Hollywood movie star Johnny Depp has a rival for the job of turning on Portishead's Christmas lights this year – his name is Nigel and he works in a DIY store in the town.

Nigel Parker, 21, who works as a sales assistant at Homebase, has become the focus of an internet campaign to switch on the town's illuminations at the end of November.

A Facebook fan page – Nigel from Homebase – has already attracted 730 members, all posting messages of support for him to turn on the lights.

The campaign comes at the same time as Sarah Wintle, 37, from Longwell Green, Bristol, set up a similar campaign calling for movie heart-throb Johnny Depp to flick the switch.

Miss Wintle, 37, set up the site following reports that Mr Depp was seen shopping in Waitrose in the town.

However the website – Johnny Depp to turn on Portishead Christmas Lights – only has 40 members, compared to the hundreds logging on to support Nigel.

Members of the Nigel from Homebase group say he should get the job because of his friendly manner and excellent customer service at the store.

One wrote: "I'd never felt good about buying screws until I met Nigel."

Nigel, who has worked at the store for two years and lives in the town, said: "I was totally unaware of this internet campaign until one of my customers mentioned it.

"I would like to thank everyone in Portishead for their support and nice comments. If I was given the opportunity to turn on the Christmas lights, it would be a real honour."

So good is Nigel's customer service that people visiting the store will wait in long queues to be served by him rather than go to another till.

Nigel has also consistently scored top marks during mystery shopper tests at the Wyndham Way store.

Homebase Portishead manager, Steve Davies, said: "I am proud and privileged to have Nigel as a member of our staff and he is a real asset to the team."

Portishead Christmas Lights committee spokesman, Barry Randall, said: "The fact Nigel has more fans than Johnny Depp proves he is a popular choice with local people to turn on the lights. I go in Homebase myself and have been served by Nigel many times and he is one of the nicest people I have met.

"If Johnny Depp turns up, it may be that he and Nigel will have to share the honour."

The Portishead Christmas lights will be switched on at 6.30pm on November 30.