Leicester council bosses to roll out red carpet for X Factor star Sam Bailey

Council bosses in Leicester are to roll out the red carpet for X Factor star Sam Bailey tomorrow. Leicester City Council chiefs are to lay on a reception with fireworks to welcome home the 36-year-old mum from Leicester Forest East. The civic reception outside Curve will see Sam meet and greet fans for 30 minutes before her homecoming gig at the Athena. The concert has been organised as a thank you to the Leicester fans of Sam who have voted for her each week and enabled her to reach this weekend's final iof the TV show. Some 1,800 free tickets for the event, which will be filmed for The X Factor, will be handed out on a first-come, first-served basis from 10am tomorrow at the Athena on Rutland Street. Those who miss out on a ticket can still enjoy Sam's homecoming by gathering outside Curve, in Orton Square, from 5pm to watch the fireworks that will greet her arrival on the red carpet. Radio station Gem 106 are to provide entertainment outside Curve from 5pm. Presenters Dan Wood and Dave from the Sam and Amy breakfast show will be there. City Mayor Peter Soulsby said: "Sam Bailey's achievement is extraordinary when you consider the competition she has had to overcome to secure a place in the X Factor final. "She is clearly a gifted singer whose talents have finally been given the recognition they deserve. "Leicester is extremely proud of Sam and I'm sure the people of the city and the county will turn out in force on Wednesday to welcome her home – and to wish her luck in the final." Sam is expected to spend at least 30 minutes meeting fans during the red carpet event, before she makes her way into the Athena to prepare for the gig which starts at 7pm.

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