Today the Department for Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) officially announced Blackpool has been shortlisted as one of the final four places to be named UK City of Culture 2029.
Blackpool will now compete with Wrexham, Sheffield and Milton Keynes to win the accolade, which would mean a £10M, year-long celebration of arts and culture for local people to enjoy, creating new jobs and opportunities across the Fylde coast.
Being crowned City of Culture could be transformative for the town, with countless leading figures in the town backing the bid alongside a raft of celebrities.
Check out some of the top names who have backed Blackpool’s bid below...
1. Swissport executive team brought their face to face meeting to Blackpool. Photo: Lucinda Herbert
Swissport CEO Warwick Brady | © National World Resell
3. Preview of this year's Illuminations Display with Laurence Llewelyn-Bowen, Toyah Wilcox and Chila Kumari Burman MBE
Singer songwriter Toyah Wilcox | National World
4. Hamish Hamilton
Superbowl half-time show director Hamish Hamilton | Hamish Hamilton collecting an Emmy award.
6. Ultimate Hollywood insider Sandro Monetti is the man the stars talk to, and he was born and bred in Blackpool. Photo: Lucinda Herbert
Ultimate Hollywood insider Sandro Monetti | © National World Resell