"A Night to Remember" A tribute to showman Joe Longthorne MBE is moved to Easter Sunday 2021

The special evening of entertainment had been part of a weekend of events for later this month to celebrate what would have marked the entertainer’s 65th birthday and the renaming of North Pier Theatre in his honour.

Joe’s widower Jamie Moran said it was with ‘a heavy heart’ to cancel the event but safety of people had to come first.

He said: "The organisers have made this decision with a heavy heart, however, in the interest of everyone’s well being and safety, they feel it is the best move to make."

He added: “Easter Sunday next year seems a good date to choose, hopefully a sense of new normality will be in place by then, and Joe always loved to perform in Blackpool and looked forward to his Easter concerts here.

“We would like to point out that all existing tickets will be carried forward to this new date.

“Please be assured that all existing tickets will be valid without any further action required and we do hope you will all be able to attend and celebrate Joe’s life and career.”

A special VIP opening of the theatre venue had been due to take place on Friday May 29.

A host of the entertainers’ show business pals had been invited to perform at a variety night on May 31, including Roy Walker, Johnnie Casson and Roy Chubby Brown.

Blackpool’s The Nolans, Mooky and Mr Boo from Blackpool Circus, musical stars Darren Day and Andrew Lancel, award winning British comedy band The Grumbleweeds, Bobby Davro and singer Rose Marie, Kate Parkes, Christopher Maloney were among others taking part.

The gala evening was being held in memory of the much-loved singer and impressionist, who died at his home in Blackpool last August.

Refunds will be available for those who are unable to make the new date by emailing TicketSource direct at [email protected] with your booking reference and full name and address.