Paddy McGuinness 'chuffed' to turn on Illuminations

BBC Radio 2 presenter Paddy McGuinness will switch on this year's Blackpool Illuminations.

The Bolton-born comedian will flick the switch on 4 September, when thousands are expected to gather on the Tower Festival Headland by Blackpool Tower for a concert featuring Five, The Feeling and Lucy Spraggan.

The event will be hosted by BBC Radio Lancashire's Graham Liver and Sharon Hartley, with 20,000 tickets available through a public ballot.

Paddy McGuinness said: "I'm chuffed to be asked to switch the lights and become part of the history of the town.

"I grew up visiting Blackpool on family holidays and driving through the Illuminations," said McGuinness.

"I've performed in Blackpool plenty of times over the years and there's always a fantastic atmosphere.

"I'm looking forward to joining the crowds for a belting night out."

McGuinness has previously performed at both the Winter Gardens and the Grand Theatre, filmed an episode of Top Gear in the resort, and cycled through the town as part of his BBC Children in Need fundraising challenge.

Kate Shane MBE, managing director of Blackpool Tourism Limited, called the BBC presenter "the perfect person to help us kick off the autumn season in Blackpool".

The switch-on and concert mark the start of the Illuminations season, officially lighting up Blackpool's Promenade over the winter period.

The Illuminations began in 1879 with just eight carbon arc lamps, but grew into six miles (9.5km) of immersive light and art displays "blending tradition and modern technology".

Switch-on ceremonies date back to 1934, when the 17th Earl of Derby was the first person to do the honours.

An eclectic variety of people have switched on the lights over the years, including a joint effort by the-then US and Soviet ambassadors in the 1950s, Beetlejuice director Tim Burton in 2015, and a selection of "Coronavirus heroes" from the NHS in 2020.

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