Tim Burton excited to be Blackpool Illuminations Switch-On star

Hollywood megastar, Tim Burton, has spoken of his excitement at switching on Blackpool Illuminations.

The legendary film director has been a regular visitor in Blackpool in recent years choosing to shoot scenes for US band The Killers music video “Here with Me” and his latest film, “Miss Peregrine’s Home for Peculiar Children,” in the resort.

And as a result he was offered, and gleefully accepted, the town’s highest honour – to be Blackpool’s Illuminations Switch-On star

He said: “I was honoured to be asked to switch-on the Blackpool Illuminations for 2015.

“I am a huge fan of Blackpool so I was very excited to film here.During the shooting process everyone made us feel extremely welcome and we really enjoyed
our time here.

“As a result, to be given the town's highest honour is incredible and I'm really excited. I'm sure it will be a wonderful show.”

The switch-on takes place tonight (Friday 4 September) on the Tower Festival Headland during a star-studded concert featuring a host of star names including The Vamps, Lawson, Professor Green, Little Boots and many more.

Tim, who has previously referred to himself as Blackpool Pleasure Beach’s biggest fan, will turn on this year’s Illuminations in front of a crowd of 20,000 people.

Earlier this year he shot scenes for his upcoming film Miss Peregrine’s Home For Peculiar Children in Blackpool.

Hollywood A-lister, Samuel L Jackson, was one of cast that filmed in scenes on the Promenade and inside The Blackpool Tower.

The film, set to be released early next year, will feature Blackpool to a world-wide audience.

The Friday night Switch-On concert marks the start of a three-day festival of entertainment on the Tower Festival Headland entitled Blackpool iFest.

CBBC will take over the arena on the Saturday morning to broadcast their Saturday Shout Out show live.

Then on Saturday evening, Pat Sharp will host a night of vintage music headlined by Bananarama followed by a comedy extravaganza on Sunday night hosted by Al Murray – The Pub Landlord. 

There are still tickets available for the Saturday and Sunday night shows.

They can be purchased at www.seetickets.com or telephone 0871 220 0260, www.ticketmaster.co.uk/ifest  or direct from www.visitblackpool.com/shop or telephone 01253 478222.