Illuminations Star Line Up

Blackpool Illuminations Switch On 2010 – Line Up Confirmed

visitBlackpool, Real Radio and Smooth Radio are delighted to officially confirm the line- up for the Blackpool Illuminations Switch On Concert 2010 on Friday September 3.

Opera sensation Russell Watson will return to his native Lancashire, bringing home the famous ‘Voice’ that has performed across the world. And there’ll be teen screams as the five boys who are The Wanted visit the beach. Their debut single ‘All Time Low’ has already reached number one in the UK singles chart and an album is in the works too.

They’ll be joined by popular X-Factor runner-up Olly Murs as well as Australian popstrel Gabriella Cilmi whose first single, Sweet About Me, was the most played single of 2009. And Nell Bryden will also be bringing her unique brand of modern-Dixie to the beach.

Then, of course, there’s the star who was announced as the first to confirm her place on the stage – Alesha Dixon – who has a string of hits to choose from for her performance and who returns to the resort following her visit as a judge of Strictly Come Dancing, transmitted live from the Tower Ballroom last year.

And that’s not all – the bumper line up will also feature the four girls who are BOND – the original electric string quartet – and American pop rockers the Plain White T’s, best known for their Grammy-nominated Top Ten hit, Hey There, Delilah and all ready to belt out some new tunes.

International superstar Robbie Williams will then flick the switch in front of a crowd of thousands – turning on the world famous Blackpool Illuminations which will shine for 66 nights until November 7. Brilliance, Blackpool’s state-of-the-art light and sound show on Birley Street will be performing a spectacular Robbie medley – with the star’s greatest hits joining the flashing lights and lasers for an unmissable show which will play on Switch-On night and throughout the Illuminations.

Although he won’t be performing, the announcement of Robbie as the Switch-On Star saw a massive response for tickets for the event, with just under 42,000 people logging onto the visitBlackpool website in one week to request a total of 152,569 tickets.

Cllr Maxine Callow, Cabinet Member for Regeneration and Tourism, said: “This is truly a wonderful line-up and we’re delighted that we’ll be welcoming thousands of people to the resort for Switch-On night and that we are able to support businesses yet again by providing people with another reason to visit Blackpool.”

Anyone who doesn’t have an official wristband WILL NOT be allowed entry to the main arena – and these have now all been allocated; but there is another chance to view the Switch-On show by heading to St Chad’s headland, where a big screen will show all the performances – and the Switch-On – live. Spectators at the screen will also get the chance to watch the Illuminations as they spring to life along the promenade (from approximately 9pm).

The show will also be broadcast live on Real and Smooth Radio from 8pm.

The main arena opens from 3pm and those fortunate enough to have been selected for wristbands need to be in the arena by 7pm as access will not be permitted after this time. Access in and out of the arena will be permitted between 3 and 7pm.

For more information about road closures go to the visitBlackpool website www.visitblackpool.com.

Why not make a weekend of it and visit the resort’s top attractions, enjoy some retail therapy and take advantage of the town’s great bars and restaurants?  For assistance with booking accommodation in Blackpool, or more details about what’s on over Switch-On Weekend go to www.visitblackpool.com or call the Tourist Information Centre on 01253 478222.

For more details on the Switch-On line-up visit www.realradionorthwest.co.uk or www.visitblackpool.com/switchon

ENDS

For further visitBlackpool information contact:  

Mike Chadwick, Media & Events Manager, visitBlackpool

E: [email protected] T: 01253 478230

or

Suzie Joyce, Press Officer, visitBlackpool

E: [email protected] T: 01253 478229

For Real Radio and Smooth Radio contact:

Malcolm Packer, GMG Radio Press Office

T: 07827258756

For media accreditation to attend the event please contact

Jenny Harvey

E: [email protected] T: 01253 478231