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The Stig stuns Illuminations crowds to light-up Blackpool
THE Stig stunned a 20,000 switch-on crowd when he powered-up Blackpool's Illuminations last night.
Top Gear's anonymous 'tame racing driver' surprised everyone when he stepped in front of presenters Jeremy Clarkson and Richard Hammond to pull the famous lever and create a kaleidoscope of colour along the Golden Mile.
The switch also trigged waves of fireworks high above the resort and sent a sea of orange and white confetti into the Central car park crowd who have gathered for a spectacular live BBC Radio 2 concert.
The appearance of the hosts of BBC 2's cult motoring programme - who raced to the resort - stole the show.
A bedraggled Jeremy Clarkson told the packed crowds: "We had a bit of a Top Gear race today. All I can tell you is that James May lost. All I want to do now is go to bed. That was a long day."
Although the race remains a closely guarded secret the presenter was spotted driving away in a Jaguar with fellow host Hammond behind the wheel of a Volkswagen Polo.
May remained nowhere to be seen while it was rumoured the Stig had got a National Express coach to the resort.
It is believed that the race was from Basle in Switzerland and will be the subject of an hour-long Top Gear to be screened at a later date.
Reunited Irish band Boyzone topped the sparkling line up in the specially-built arena, which was hosted by Janice Long and included top performances from Scouting for Girls, David Jordan and Scottish songstress Sandi Thom.
Boyzone band, fronted by Ronan Keating, had the masses cheering with their hits No Matter What and Life is a Rollercoaster.
They followed David Jordan, who set-off into the crowd to see revellers who had turned-up to party, while wowing music lovers with an acoustic set.
Indie rockers Scouting for Girls performed their hit Heartbeat before throwing a Bullseye 'Bully' soft toy they earlier won on the pier into the droves of revellers.
They then got everyone clapping away in unison to She's so Lovely.
The warm weather contributed to one of the biggest Illumination crowds ever, as young and old alike, including hundreds of families, gathered to grab a glimpse at the on-stage activates on giant television screens.
The earliest fans had claimed their spot inside the arena by 5am. The build-up began with early evening entertainment, hosted by North Pier's Joey Blower.
But as the huge numbers made their way home through Blackpool's colour-filled roads they all had one message - this was the best switch-on yet!
David Searle, 20, of Hutton said: "I thought it was absolutely fantastic.
"It was definitely the best switch on. It was great when Top Gear were on."
Joe Foley, 15, from Thornton, said: "I was very good. I enjoyed seeing Top Gear, Scouting for Girls were very good as well. It was a unique experience."
Mike and Jan Tollitt brought their young sons Adam and Ben from Huyton on Merseyside for the event.
Mike, 44, said: "It is the best one we have been to. The boys are fans of Top Gear and Scouting for Girls so we came to see them.
"The best things were the bands, the atmosphere and the fact it was free."
Sandra Lord, 61, who travelled from Rochdale to see the switch-on, said: "It was brilliant.
"The bands were the best and Richard Hammond. It is the first time we have come to one but we will definitely be back."
Friends Jessica Walton and Nikki Wright also enjoyed the show.
Jessica, 17, said: "It was bigger and better than last year. I didn't think they would be able to beat David Tennant last time. But the fireworks were a good finish."
Nikki, also 17, added: "It was absolutely wonderful.
"I am a massive fan of Top Gear but Scouting for Girls were the best.
"I would definitely come to the switch on again."
A police spokesman said the event had gone well. He said: "It was very busy, but cleared very quickly. It all passed off nice and peacefully."
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Weather for Blackpool
Wednesday 30 May 2012
Today
Cloudy
Temperature: 12 C to 20 C
Wind Speed: 12 mph
Wind direction: West
Tomorrow
Cloudy
Temperature: 12 C to 16 C
Wind Speed: 18 mph
Wind direction: West
