Gok Wan joins line-up for huge Skiddle party in Blackpool alongside Lenny Henry & you're invited!
A top ticketing and events firm, founded here in Lancashire, is celebrating its anniversary at Blackpool Tower next month and another huge star has joined the event’s line-up...
Skiddle, founded in Preston in 2001 by Lancastrians Ben Sebborn and Richard Dyer, celebrates its 25th anniversary this year and to celebrate, their hosting an industry awards night on Thursday, April 30.
With just six weeks to go, the night’s entertainment has just get even better as DJ and style icon Gok Wan has been confirmed to play the after party.
The evening already had a stella line-up with comedy legend Lenny Henry hosting on stage, iconic duo Katie Thistleton and Hacker T Dog on the decks as well as performances from aerial dance troupe Northern Heights, magicians Russ Brown, Jason Rea, and Sam Fitton, immersive drummer Monka, Liverpool’s very own DJ Mark Armstrong and ventriloquist Max Fulham.
Now, Gok Wan has been confirmed to play an exclusive after party for those who don’t want the night to end.
Gok Wan entertained the nation with his lockdown kitchen DJ sets spinning his unique blend of soulful house classics and since then, Gok has spent more time behind the decks than fixing the nation’s wardrobe mishaps drawing in huge crowds for his high-energy, feel-good anthems.
What is the Skiddle 25th Anniversary Event?
Skiddle’s prestigious awards ceremony on Thursday, April 30 at the iconic Blackpool Tower will see event industry insiders and the public watch as industry icons are crowned for delivering the most-memorable moments of the last 25 years.
Known for his hit programme “The Lenny Henry Show,” and his many comic relief appearances, Lenny will be the host for the night, igniting the party with his trademark humour and irresistible cheeky wit.
From the best family festivals and iconic settings to legendary nightclubs and tours, 76 finalists are now being called upon to drum up votes to win one of 16 awards up for grabs on the night.
There will then be an after-party once the awards are over.
Get the latest headlines, straight to your inbox, with The LEP’s free emails or the Blackpool Gazette’s free emails
What has been said about the night?
Richard Dyer, Skiddle Co-founder said: “We’re rolling out the red carpet and pulling out all the stops to celebrate our big birthday in style and make it a night to remember. From a packed entertainment line-up to our awards dinner, this is a must-attend event celebrating the best of the events and entertainment industry over the last 25 years.”
Where can I get tickets?
A special website has been created for the event with tickets on sale now: https://skiddle25.com.
Tickets starting from £185 which includes entry and a three-course meal.
After party tickets are £15.
.jpeg?crop=3:2,smart&trim=&width=640&quality=65)
Who are the award nominees?
The full shortlist:
Festivals
Family Fun in a Field: Dedicated to bringing something for everyone on the weekends, including music, games, and memories under open skies. The kind of events where family time comes first, and the music is just a bonus.
- Britfest
- WILDHOOD Festival 26
- We Are Family
- Rock the Mote
- Sollihul Summer Festival
Most Iconic Setting: For the event where the backdrop was as unforgettable as the night itself. A stage, a skyline, a setting that lives on in memory.
- On The Beach Brighton -Fatboy Slim July 2022
- Beyond The Woods
- Freeze bombed out church series 2015
- Loopallu
- FAC51 The Haçienda at Walton Hall & Gardens - Cheshire
Feels Like Home for the Weekend: Great staff, great facilities, the event that wrapped you up in good vibes and belonging. The kind of place where every beat, laugh, and moment felt like home.
- Love To Be...Harrogate
- Moovin Festival
- Pavillion Festival
- In It Together
- GemFest
Sounds Like Summer: For the festivals where the music defined the season. The line-ups that had us singing in fields, discovering new favourites, and dancing from dusk to dawn.
- Terminal V Festival 2025
- Reggage Land
- Creamfields
- PRTY Festival
- Parklife Festival
Belly Filler and Thirst Quencher: For the festivals that put flavour centre stage. Celebrating the food and drink weekends that brought people together over plates, pints, and plenty of seconds.
- Feast On Festival
- Hagley Music Festival
- The Open Arms at Warwick Castle - presented by Digbeth Dining Club
- Feasty Fest
The One That Made the Family Smile: For the lifestyle events that made every generation happy. Days out filled with fun, laughter, and moments worth remembering together.
- Girlypop
- Northampton Balloon Festival 2024
- Comedy at the Castle
- Teach Rex*
Memorable Seasonal Activity: For the event that captured the season - festive sparkle, summer traditions, or autumn magic. The dates that shaped the calendar in unforgettable ways.
- The Enchanted Pumpkin Patch
- Spooktacular
- Betley Fireworks
- Newsham Scream Park
- Oktoberfest
Get up, Stand Out: For the nights that turned entertainment into an art form - the bingo halls, comedy clubs, and sports that gave us more than a night out: they gave us a reason to dress up, show up and have a great time.
Clubs
Venue That You Remember the Most: For the spaces that became part of your story. Clubs, halls, and hidden gems that live forever in memory.
- SWG3
- The Warehouse Project
- Lab11
- 24 Kitchen Street
- Joshua Brooks
Wish You Were Here: For the nights that took us overseas and blew us away. Celebrating Europe’s event experiences that delivered world-class music, energy or adventure.
- The Jungle Weekender - Amsterdam
- Terminal V Croatia
- Breakin Science Amsterdam Weekender 2025
- STREETrave Ibiza
- Higher Love Malta
The One That Kept Us Dancing: For the event that just wouldn’t stop - day or night - the energy was endless, amazing production, the beats unstoppable, and the crowd never ready to go home.
Circus - Sonny Fodera Liverpool 2025 (3x Sold out events)
- Funkademia
- DNB Collective
- Teletech: London @ The Cause
- Shangri-La
- Fearfest
Breakthrough Club Events of the Year: For the events that came out of nowhere and changed the game - new promoters, fresh energy, and crowds that couldn’t stop talking. The ones that proved a great idea and a great vibe can build a movement.
Live
Memories of the Future: For the moments when you saw greatness before it was cool. Celebrating grassroots venues where tomorrow’s big names first stepped into the spotlight.
- Jacaranda
- Hare & Hounds
- The Continental
- The Black Prince
I Lost My Voice in That Place: The event where music took hold so hard you couldn’t help but sing, shout, and roar. The nights where passion outlasted your vocal cords.
- Electric Brixton
- Engine Room Southampton
- PILGRIM Newcastle
- The Cavern Club
Venue That You Remember the Most: For the spaces that became part of your story. Pubs, halls, and hidden gems that live forever in memory.
- Old Fire Station Carlisle
- McChullis
- Camp and Furnace
- Unit 9
- The Ferret
On The Road Again: For the tours that took the music further - city to city, night after night - creating moments that stuck with us long after the final show.
- This Feeling - The Rosadocs Tour
- Geestar Empire - Sean Paul & Ashanti Tour
- UB40 ft Ali Campbell - Kilimanjaro
- Worried about Henry presents Chase and Status tour
A unique show called Teach Rex comes to Chorley next month | Show poster