But I am the one and only! Chesney Hawkes insists he is famous enough to open a Christmas ice rink

Hastings locals launched a Go Away Chesney campaign after disappointment that he was the "mystery celebrity" coming to visit

Chesney Hawkes has responded to disgruntled Hastings residents who took to Twitter to bemoan the fact that the “mystery celebrity” due to open a Christmas ice rink next week was him and not Suggs as some had hoped.

The “One and Only” singer, whose popularity reached its peak in the nineties, responded to media coverage of the East Sussex town’s disappointment at his scheduled appearance in a tweet prefixed “The Battle of Hastings”.

He wrote: “I've been booked to open the ice rink in Hastings and it seems that someone's complained that I'm not famous enough. Well I am now. Whoever started this, please get in touch. The least I can do is buy you a drink. Look forward to seeing you next week Hastings."

Locals have launched a Go Away Chesney campaign after rumours that Madness frontman Suggs was to make an appearance were quashed by an announcement that Hawkes would be the one to open a festive skating rink and markets.

One tweet read: “Is this a joke?! If not, not exactly pushing the boat out.” Another said: “90s legend. Will be a bit long in the tooth by now – we’re planning a Go Away Chesney protest when he arrives here – if anyone can recognise him.”

Locals told the Daily Mail: “'Hastings has a long line of celebrities, including Suggs and Andy Bell, so why in the world would Chesney Hawkes be chosen to open the Christmas market?”

Another is quoted as say: “Why couldn't we have Mick Jagger or Rod Stewart? Or even good old Cliff?”

Hawkes tweeted that he had “just had the best two weeks of my life” filming Panto in Lancster. The show has been written by John Bishop for ITV’s Christmas viewing.

He will appear in Hastings on 6 December. Roger Crouch, who booked him, said: 'This is great for Hastings, as we are trying to create a truly magical Christmas.'