Spice up the Lights - Melanie C, Fleur East and Rae Morris to perform at Virtual Blackpool Illuminations Switch-on Concert 2020

In a major departure from previous years, which have seen the seafront Tower Festival Headland packed with fans, the 2020 event will be broadcast online.

Joining Sporty Spice on the bill for the Switch-On will be Sax singer and X Factor runner-up Fleur East and the resort’s own Rae Morris.

Singer-songwriter Becky Hill, whose hits include ‘I Wish You Well’ and ‘Lose Control’, performed at last year’s show and will take part in the hour-long virtual show.

Tom Grennan, who appeared at Lytham Festival in 2019, will also perform.

This year the annual concert will take place inside the Blackpool Tower Ballroom with Diversity’s Ashley and Jordan Banjo hosting the hour-long streamed event, staged by MTV at 8.30pm on September 4.

The show will feature a mix of pre-recorded performances with live segments from within the Ballroom.

The entire event will be free to view by a global audience including the all-important Switch-On moment.

Speaking of her closed set at the Tower Rae Morris said: “Being a part of the Illuminations Switch-On is a huge deal for me. It was always the highlight of my summer as a kid, a magical ending.

“This year will be slightly different, but an extended period of Illuminations on the seafront is a silver-lining that’ll bring much-needed joy.

“I’ll be performing from inside the ballroom and will do my best to channel its spirit out into your devices.”

The night will also feature chart-topping DJ, Joel Corry and an exclusive routine by Switch-On regulars Diversity produced especially for the event.

It will be the first time in more than 70 years that the resort has been unable to hold a live Switch-On celebration – but also the first time it has been accessible to a national and international audience.

The Switch-On, which normally takes place on the Tower Festival Headland in front of a 20,000 strong audience, will act as the curtain-raiser for Blackpool’s Illuminations season which has been extended by two months and will now run from September 4 to January 3, 2021.

Ashley Banjo said: “Jordan and I are delighted to be hosting Blackpool’s virtual Switch-On.

“Blackpool is very much our second home and we cannot wait to return to the resort to host what will be an amazing experience that people will be able to watch, wherever they are.”

Coun Gillian Campbell, cabinet member for tourism and culture for Blackpool Council, said: “We are delighted to be able to announce an all-star line-up for what will definitely go down as the most unique Switch-On event in Illuminations history.

“Demand for tickets for our traditional live event hugely outweighs the number available, so it is great that everyone will get the opportunity to see this year’s Switch-On concert from thecomfort of their homes.

“It promises to be a fabulous start to our extended Illuminations season.”

'Sporty Spice' Mel C will release new album 'Melanie C' in October and whilst promoting has hinted at the possibility of another Spice Girls reunion tour.

Stars joining the line-up for the first ever globally streamed event by MTV include Blackpool artist Rae Morris, Fleur East, Becky Hill and Tom Grennan.

This year the annual concert will take place inside the Blackpool Tower Ballroom with Diversity's Ashley and Jordan Banjo hosting the hour-long streamed event, staged by MTV at 8.30pm on Friday 4 September.

The virtual show, will feature an exclusive mix of pre-recorded performances with live segments from within the Ballroom. The entire event will be free to view by a global audience including the all-important Switch-On moment,

Speaking of her unique closed set at the Tower Rae Morris said: “Being a part of the Illuminations Switch-On is a huge deal for me. It was always the highlight of my summer as a kid, a magical ending.

“This year will be slightly different, but an extended period of Illuminations on the seafront is a silver-lining that’ll bring much-needed joy!

"I’ll be performing from inside the ballroom and will do my best to channel its spirit out into your devices”

The night will also feature chart-topping DJ, Joel Corry and an exclusive routine by Diversity produced especially for the virtual Switch-On event.

It will be the first time in more than 70 years that the resort has been unable to hold a live Switch-On celebration – but also the first time that a Switch-On event has been accessible to a national and international audience.

The Switch-On, which normally takes place on the Tower Festival Headland in front of a 20,000 strong audience, will act as the curtain-raiser for Blackpool’s Illuminations season which has been extended by two months and will now run from September 4 to January 3, 2021

Ashley Banjo said: “Jordan and I are delighted to be hosting Blackpool’s virtual Switch-On.

“Blackpool is very much our second home and we cannot wait to return to the resort to host what will be an amazing experience that people will be able to watch, wherever they are.”

The show will start at 8.30pm on Friday 4 September and can be viewed at: visitblackpool.com/switchon, youtube.com/mtvinternational and facebook.com/mtvmusicukCoun Gillian Campbell, cabinet member for Tourism and Culture for Blackpool Council, said: “We are delighted to be able to announce an all-star line-up for what will definitely go down as the most unique Switch-On event in Illuminations history!

“Demand for tickets for our traditional live event hugely outweighs the number available, so it is great that everyone will get the opportunity to see this year’s Switch-On concert from the comfort of their homes.

“It promises to be a fabulous start to our extended Illuminations season.”