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Illuminations line-up revealed
CULT comedian Alan Carr is to turn on this year's Illuminations as part of a star-studded celebrity weekend.
The annual switch-on party is being extended as hosts Radio 2 go "Live In Blackpool".
Chart-topping music acts, X-Factor stars JLS, singer songwriter Pixie Lott, crooner Tony Christie and bill toppers Madness will be performing before the famous lever is pulled to power up the Lights on Friday September 4.
Hosted by Kate Thornton, the night will also include Chris Evans – Switch-On star from 2005 – broadcasting his Friday drivetime show live from the top of Blackpool Tower.
Jeff Smith, Radio 2's head of live music, said: "We have always endeavoured to secure stellar line-ups for our Blackpool Illuminations show, however this year with Radio 2 Live in Blackpool we are really proud to be able to broaden our coverage and bring our presenters and programmes to the seaside.
"From the Tower to the Promenade we will be all over the town when we present one of Radio 2's highlights of the year."
Alan, who briefly lived in the resort when his father Graham managed Blackpool FC in 1990, said: "I can't wait for my little break up there in the Vegas of the north.
"I'll be turning you all on on Friday night and then cruising up and down the esplanade dressed as a sailor in a tram decked out as a boat for my Radio 2 show on the Saturday night – yes only in Blackpool."
The Switch-On night will start with the Chris Evans' show. It will then move to the Opera House, where Strictly Come Dancing Star Anton du Beke hosts Friday Night Is Music Night, the world's longest running live music radio programme.
A special swing version, it will feature the BBC Big Band with Tony Christie and Paloma Faith, who will then hotfoot it over to the Switch-On arena behind the Golden Mile scheduled to be the last launch there before the event moves to the Tower Festival Headland next year.
Following his starring role on the Friday, Alan Carr will be back on the airwaves, close to the real waves, to stage his Saturday evening show – Going Out with Alan Carr – from the Promenade on a trundling tram with his co-host and friend Emma Forbes.
The extravaganza is the result of months of planning between VisitBlackpool and Radio 2.
Maxine Callow, Blackpool Council's cabinet member for regeneration and tourism, said: "This year's Switch-On promises to be a fantastic weekend of events.
"We look forward to welcoming some of the biggest names in music and entertainment to the resort for what is shaping up to be a great event.
Radio 2 have done us proud and we are delighted to continue working alongside them."
"The fact that all these shows will come live from Blackpool throughout the weekend only adds to the excitement. It all adds up to a great weekend for everyone."
A star-studded concert at the Empress Ballroom takes place on Saturday, to be broadcast live from 8pm to 10pm and details of performers will be announced – one a day – on Radio 2 next week.
While the Illuminations shine and the music plays, the Honda Goldwing Showcase will see hundreds of motorbikes on the Promenade on Saturday night, while later up to 2,000 women are expected to step out in a special Illumathon midnight charity walk for Trinity Hospice.
Also to be launched during the weekend is the new St John's Piazza and a programme of entertainment is being planned for what is billed as "a vibrant space".
Volleyball England Beach Tour 2009 finals are on St Chad's Headland on Saturday and Sunday and finishing off the Big Switch On Weekend will be the first heat of the World Fireworks on Sunday.
- Admission to the Switch-On concert is free, on a first come, first served basis, with no tickets issued. Free tickets for the Saturday Empress Ballroom concert will be available from Monday and for Friday Night Is Music Night, from August 14.
Tickets are available from: http://www.bbc.co.uk/radio2/events/blackpool-2009/
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Sunday 27 May 2012
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