Keyworker heroes will be Blackpool Illuminations Switch On stars for 2020

They may not be the best known of all the stars to have switched on Blackpool’s world-famous Illuminations over the years, but few were more deserving of the honour.
By Nicola Jaques
Published 21st Aug 2020, 09:26 BST
Updated 21st Aug 2020, 09:30 BST
There will be a special tribute to the corona heroes along the Golden Mile as part of this year's IlluminationsThere will be a special tribute to the corona heroes along the Golden Mile as part of this year's Illuminations
There will be a special tribute to the corona heroes along the Golden Mile as part of this year's Illuminations

A selection of the “corona heroes” who kept us safe at the height of the global pandemic have been chosen to turn on the Lights next month, in recognition of their efforts.

In a year that will see the popular Switch-On event go virtual for the first time ever, as a result of the lockdown, the team behind the festivities opted to pay tribute to the bravery of our key workers in true Blackpool style.

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As well as those hand-picked to share the prestigious moment, a further 48 will be featured in the Illuminations themselves.

Among those chosen to flick the famous switch is Dr Jason Cupitt, who led the coronavirus response in the intensive care unit at Blackpool Victoria Hospital.

Joining him will be Trinity Hospice nurse Kirsty Jones, who moved out of her family home for five weeks to continue working and protect her husband and two young children, who were shielding.

They make up the group of seven people – and one therapy dog – set to star at the event, which will this year be held in private at the Tower Ballroom and streamed into homes around the world.

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The extraordinary team will join Diversity’s Ashley and Jordan Banjo on September 4 to pull the famous switch at a special virtual switch-on event to be staged in association with MTV.

Dr Jason Cupitt, who led the coronavirus response in the intensive care unit at Blackpool Victoria Hospital.Dr Jason Cupitt, who led the coronavirus response in the intensive care unit at Blackpool Victoria Hospital.
Dr Jason Cupitt, who led the coronavirus response in the intensive care unit at Blackpool Victoria Hospital.

Blackpool-born singer-songwriter Rae Morris is among those set to perform on the night.

Coun Gillian Campbell, cabinet member for tourism and culture at Blackpool Council, said the group will “represent the hundreds of thousands of people who have done so much to protect and support the British people”.

She added: “We are delighted that the switch-on moment will be a tribute to the truly remarkable people who have led our nation’s response to coronavirus.”

The virtual switch on show will start at 8.30pm on Friday September 4 .

It can be viewed at visitblackpool.com/switchon, youtube.com/mtvinternational and facebook.com/mtvmusicuk

Related topics:BlackpoolRae Morris

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