“I LOVE you Blackpool!”
Comic Alan Carrwowed a 20,000 strong crowd as he flicked the switch to power up this year’s Illuminations bonanza.
Egged on by screaming fans, the one time resort resident and TV’s new master of the double entendre told how he loved the town and jumped around like a naughty school boy as he pulled the famous lever.
The switch triggered a plume of confetti over an audience which cheered throughout the hour long switch on show broadcast live on BBC Radio 2.
The massive crowd did not seem to notice the biting winds as they were treated to performances from chart toppers JLS, Pixie Lott, Paloma Faith, crooner Tony Christie and Madness.
But it was King of Camp Carr who stole the show with his cheeky innuendoes and infectious laugh.
The son of ex-Blackpool FC manager Graham Carr, flirted with the crowd and presenter Kate Thornton, although in scarf and duffel coat he was dressed more like he was ready to explore the Antarctic than take a stroll down the Golden Mile.
He told the crowd: “Listen all you young girls, stop screaming, you’re barking up the wrong tree!
“I love coming back to Blackpool. The last time I was here me and Lionel Blair saved a man from jumping off
North Pier.
“I can’t wait to flick the switch – I’ve been practising it all week.”
Before his appearance it was clear there was only one act most of the crowd were here to see, aside from the main man himself.
As soon as JLS, runners-up at last year’sXFactor, took to the stage,Blackpool trembled to the screams of teenage girls.
And the band’s cover of Rhianna’s number one hit Umbrella signalled the only downpour of the night. Thankfully it did not dampen anyone’s spirits.
“Blackpool’s got some really nice girls. . . so we will be staying around for a bit,” shouted singer JB following his band’s number one smash Beat Again was performed to the masses, complete with acrobatic dives from the four lads.
Kicking off the show was new comer Paloma Faith with her chart hit Stone Cold Sober before JLS sent Blackpool into orbit. Next up, songstress Pixie Lott sang her number one hit Mamma Do before crooning legend Christie – and half of Blackpool – sang along to the worldwide smash (Is This the Way To) Amarillo.
Headliners Madness, celebrating 30 years in the music business, got the crowd jumping to Our House before House of Fun brought the show to a dramatic close.
Frontman Suggs said: “Blackpool is special and we love coming here.” The crowds had arrived early and they received a surprise treat as Blackpool comic and compere Joey Blower introduced Ricky Hatton.
The former world boxing champhad unveiled his waxwork at Louis Tussaud’s earlier in the day.
There was also a performance from Blackpool-based up-and-coming star Idas.
The switch-on was given a thumbs up by the many thousands who turned out. The Smith family travelled from Wolverhampton to see the show and spend the weekend in Blackpool.
Mum Sue said: “It’s brilliant, but it always is. We love it here and so do my friends, we wouldn’t miss it for the world.”
Dad John added: “I’m here to see Madness, it’s a band for the dads.”
But daughter Lucy, six, said: “I love JLS and their music, I really like their songs.”
Tricia and Mike Swindles, and their kids Tom, 10, and eight-year-old Rachel, from Poulton, were impressed with the line-up.
Tricia, 32, said: “JLS and Pixie Lott were really good and it was great to see Tony Christie.”
Mike, 36, added: “Madness are always good live and this was another great free show for the town. I’m glad it didn’t rain all night!”
Sandra Thompson, 45, travelled from Oldham to be in Blackpool for the show. She said: “I love coming to the switch on, it never fails to make me dance. JLS are lovely and I was really looking forward to seeing them and Alan Carr, he’s brilliant.”
And the Johnson family from Stoke, who are also here for the weekend, said they loved Madness. Dad Dan, 37, said: “The whole show was great. It’s a pity it rained, but it didn’t last long and it was to an appropriate
song.”
A Blackpool police
spokesman said there
were no problems and
the event had gone
well.
