Actor and comedian Johnny Vegas will switch on this year’s Blackpool Illuminations as part of a live concert at The Tower Ballroom featuring boyband Blue and singer Tom Grennan.
Comedian Johnny said it was a ‘real honour’ to be chosen to switch on the illuminations in September, as he follows in the footsteps of the likes of Peter Kay, Tim Burton, Alfie Boe, Jayne Mansfield and Robbie Williams who have been
given the privilege over the years.
Johnny most recently provided the voice of a seagull - named Nigel C Gull - in an Only In Blackpool TV ad campaign promoting the seaside destination. In 2021, he also appeared in an episode of Salvage Hunters where he visited Lightworks, the home of the Blackpool Illuminations, and was able to take part in a mock “switch on” of the Illuminations.
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Johnny said: "As a northerner through and through, it is a real honour to be asked to switch on the iconic Illuminations. I have a great affection for Blackpool and am really looking forward to the big night in the Tower Ballroom."
The switch-on will form the grand finale of a live concert hosted by Becca Dudley on Friday, September 2, which will be live streamed across MTV and VisitBlackpool channels and will also feature performances from Blue, Tom Grennan and Mae Muller.
2,000 tickets will be handed out to winners of a free-to-enter ballot, while a limited number of ‘golden circle’ tickets will go on sale later this month.
Cllr Lynn Williams, Leader of Blackpool Council, said today: “We are absolutely thrilled to announce Johnny Vegas as this year’s Switch-On star.
“Down the years, he has been a true ambassador for Blackpool and his love of the Illuminations is obvious. Anyone who has seen the episode of Salvage Hunters in which he was quite literally moved to tears by being given an opportunity to do a mock switch-on in front of The Blackpool Tower will know that.
“This year, we are delighted to invite him back to do the real thing in front of a worldwide audience.”
Full details of the Switch-On event can be found at visitblackpool.com/switchon .
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