Poverty campaigner Sir Bob Geldof has announced he will not be able to turn on Margate Christmas lights, just a week before the ceremony in the old town.

The appearance of the former Boomtown Rat singer and Live Aid frontman was due to be the focal point of the celebrations on Saturday, November 29, but a statement issued by his spokesman today (November 20) said: “Sir Bob has been informed that he must attend a political arrangement in Doha, Qatar, on November 29.” He confirmed that “Sir Bob is very disappointed not to be able to be in Margate.”

Town mayor Cllr Brian Sullivan said : “We are all very sorry that Sir Bob is unable to join us, but let’s not forget that the event is about Margate, the town and the people and the new lights will still be switched on, with all of the activities, the kmfm roadshow, rides, a craft fair, fireworks and the events on the Harbour Arm all still going ahead.

“Sir Bob will be making a recorded message to play on the evening, and there are plans for him to hopefully visit Margate in the new year, when he will be shown the regeneration projects for the area. It is hoped that all of the agencies involved in these projects will be able to take part in the meeting.”

The lights will be switched on jointly by two major cast members of the panto Aladdin, which is being staged at the Winter Gardens in January - Ben Mills from the X Factor, who is playing Aladdin, and Mark Arden (London’s Burning, Teenage Kicks) who is playing Abanazar.

KMFM breakfast show presenter Johnny Lewis will also be joining in the fun.

The mayor added: “The Charter Trustees and I look forward to seeing as many people as possible on Saturday afternoon to celebrate Margate and the turning on of the new lights.”

The original confirmation from Sir Bob’s team stated “Whilst Bob will do his absolute best to ensure his attendance; he is currently working on a number of very serious political and humanitarian projects and should something happen to them requiring his immediate attendance they would need to take precedence. Your event is confirmed in his diary and it is a rare occurrence that he needs to cancel events but it does happen on occasion and we would like to ensure you are aware of the possibility”.

Earlier this year Sir Bob, who has lived at Davington Priory, Faversham, for 23 years, referred to “the ugliness of Margate” in an article in Kent County Council’s free newspaper Around Kent, although he did also mention the splendour of the town’s award-winning beaches.