Lights, camera, action!

The megastar was the main feature in a night packed with power pop, rock and rap.

Flicking the switch, he wore a red lobster claw after speaking of his love and affection for the resort.

Despite some threatened rain showers, the 14,000-strong crowd partied hard to a line up jammed with something for everyone.

Homecoming queen Little Boots got the main show underway to a great response.

Speaking after her set, Thorntom-born Little Boots, aka Victoria Hesketh said: “I didn’t realise what a big a thing it had turned into - but it’s actually like a festival.

“Looking up and seeing the Tower and the sea, and the fans and all my family, extended family, friends, friends or friends and everyone I’ve ever met was great.

“I’m very proud of where I come from and was excited to be asked, it was a great reception and really special.”

She wasn’t the only local to impress with the high energy girl band Tiger Heart and chilled sunshine vibes of James Edgar representing hometown talent on the early evening undercard.

Pop rockers Lawson and Toploader kept the dancing up to speed, with Dancing In The Moonlight providing one of the biggest sing along moments of the night.

Toploader’s Joe Washbourne said of the night: “It seems like 10 times bigger than when we last played it 12 years ago.

“It’s a big crowd and the little bit of rain didn’t seem to dampen the spirits.”

Ahead of the big moment, the night took a street turn with belting dance vocals from Becky Hill and Professor Green.

After the confetti cannons and the Lights going on full force along the Golden Mile and beyond, the party stepped up to another level with a hits-laden set from pop favourites The Vamps – accompanied by ear splitting screams.

As the crowds poured out of the Festival Headland arena, the start of another dazzling season of Illuminations was well underway, with more to come at the LightPool project - and its digital mapping on Blackpool Tower to be revealed next week.

Thousands of fans from across the UK and beyond flocked to the Fylde Coast last night for the Blackpool Illuminations Switch-On party.

Families turned out to the packed Festival Headland Arena to enjoy the music extravaganza, before the lights were switched on by Tim Burton.

Among the crowds was Ann Metcalf, 52, who travelled from Dumfries and Galloway to Blackpool to see the Switch-On.

She and daughter Rachael, 15, and friend Carrie, 13, who took the day off school to come to the party, were among the crowds on the front row.

Ann said: “It’s Lawson for me and the Vamps for these two.

“We came two years ago when Gary Barlow was on and we came back because it was so good.

“I like to support things like this, it’s all worth it.

“I think there are just so many different acts on, and it brings so many people.

“I’ve been telling everybody about it at work.”

Claire McAllister, 41, from North Shore, also made it to the front row of the Switch-On party with daughters Shannon, 15, and Emma, 12.

She said: “I really enjoyed it last year and we were near the back and this year we wanted to be near the front.

“My daughters ran to the front and I just followed along.

“They are most looking forward to The Vamps and I’m looking forward to Professor Green.

“It’s tradition, and it gets better and better every year.”

Among other long-distance travellers was Jason Davies, 43, who came to Blackpool from Halifax after winning a competition for tickets to the Switch-On.

He said: “I’m most looking forward to Lawson, I love Lawson.

“I’ve been to Blackpool before but never to this, it’s fantastic.”