Justin Bieber switches on Christmas lights at 2 London malls

(CBS/AP) Justin Bieber brought the Christmas spirit to London on Monday, switching on Christmas lights at the city's two biggest shopping malls.

Thousands of young and mostly female fans waited hours for the 17-year-old singer to appear, first at the Westfield shopping center in west London, then hours later at the new Westfield Stratford City mall near the 2012 Olympic Park in the east.

Bieber traveled between two malls, which are 12 miles apart, by helicopter.

The star, who won two prizes at Sunday's MTV Europe Music Awards in Belfast, told fans that his favorite thing about London was "all the girls."

The singer has strongly denied allegations by a San Diego woman that he fathered her 3-month-old child during a brief liaison.

Bieber said backstage Monday that despite the ups and downs, he was grateful for his fans.

"I take it with a grain of salt -- it's been incredible, my fans are amazing and I wouldn't have it any other way," he said.