Sir Bob Geldof is expected to switch on Margate’s Christmas lights after all on Saturday.

He disappointed the town when his hectic work schedule forced him to call off the visit.

Now the hero of Live Aid plans to visit Margate just hours before flying out to a political meeting in Qatar. The time of the switch-on ceremony will be slightly changed.

The about-turn in the poverty campaigner’s plans was announced on Tuesday.

The news delighted Margate Mayor Cllr Brian Sullivan and the town’s Charter Trustees.

Sir Bob has squeezed in the appointment and will be in town for the ceremony at around 4.30pm. He is due to fly to the Middle East less than four hours later from one of the London airports.

The former Boomtown Rat, who lives at Faversham, caused a wave of reaction when he commented on "the ugliness of Margate" earlier this year.

He also mentioned the splendour of the town’s award winning beaches in the same article in Kent County Council’s Around Kent publication earlier this year.

Town mayor Cllr Brian Sullivan said Sir Bob was very concerned at letting Margate down.

"Through the efforts of both the Mayor’s Office and Sir Bob's team, the timings have been slightly changed so that he can turn on the lights and get his flight to Doha on Saturday night. We are very pleased."

Thanet Council leader Cllr Sandy Ezekiel said he was delighted that Sir Bob had agreed to come down and not disappoint the people of Margate.