Blackpool Illuminations 2020 Switch On

Blackpool Illuminations 2020 Switch On kicks off the season. Bring on the Light! It’s the first online event, FREE for everyone to watch!

Heroes and Stars – the Line Up for Switch On

A group of Britain’s brave Corona Heroes joined together to flick the switch for the prestigious Blackpool Illuminations 2020 Switch On!

Switch On Heroes

They include a consultant, two nurses, a hospital catering manager, two extraordinary fundraisers, and a therapy dog and his owner.

They pulled the famous switch together at the special virtual switch-on event on Friday 4 September (above). More about them all below.

Switch on Stars

Stars of Blackpool’s first ever virtual Illuminations Switch-On are…

Spice Girl Melanie C,
Fleur East,
Becky Hill,
Tom Grennan,
Diversity and
Blackpool’s very own Rae Morris will all perform.

The Switch On heroes gathered in the resort’s historic Empress Ballroom for a virtual Switch-On event that was streamed around the globe to trigger the start of four months of illuminations.

The Switch-On moment was the centrepiece of an hour-long streamed event produced by MTV, which included “at home” performances by Melanie C, Becky Hill, Fleur East, Tom Grennan, Joel Corry, as well as an exclusive performance by Diversity.

Fleur also delivered her “Blackpool Rap” written and produced especially for the show. There were cameo appearances by Ashley Banjo and Olly Murs, and the amazing sound of one of Blackpool’s Wurlitzer organs.

The live part of the event was switched to a closed set in the Empress Ballroom within the Winter Gardens following a last-minute technical problem in the Tower Ballroom.

The show was hosted by Jordan and Perri, with Blackpool-born singer-songwriter Rae Morris performing two songs before Illuminations Creative Curator Laurence Llewelyn-Bowen introduced the Switch-On stars.

Each carried an illuminated strip that was attached to the main switch so that they could all play a part in the resort’s first ever socially-distanced Switch-On.

A further 47 Corona Heroes have illuminated images of themselves included within that section. They were chosen from hundreds of nominations from across the UK.

Don’t forget – the Lights 2020 run from September 4 to January 3, 2021.

It’s the first time in more than 70 years that the resort is unable to hold a live Switch-On celebration. But it’s also the first time that a Switch-On event has been accessible to a national and international audience.

Any Switch On Surprises?

The events of 2020 have interrupted a tradition in Blackpool that goes back to 1934. This year there’ll be no crowd for the annual switch on of the Illuminations. One Illuminations superfan muses over what might happen this year…

The Illuminations date back to 1912, but the tradition of a special switch on ceremony ‘only’ began in 1934. In that year, Lord Derby performed the switch on, in front of a delighted crowd. The ceremony heralded the start of the show that would extend Blackpool’s summer season into the autumn. 

The switch on was repeated in 1935, with the then crowned ‘Railway Queen of Great Britain’ Audrey Mosson pulling the switch. Sir Josiah Stamp followed in 1936. In a break from the new tradition, there were two official switch ons in 1937. The lights were first switched on by Alderman Ashton. A later visit by the Duke of Kent to open the new lifeboat house and section of north promenade, also saw a special switch on of the Illuminations. Councillor Quayle performed the honours in 1938. The outbreak of the war resulted in the 1939 illuminations being postponed. 

The Illuminations returned in 1949 and so did the switch ons. The choice of person to perform the switch on diverted away from councillors. Instead more well known sportsmen, celebrities and ambassadors were chosen. The 1959 switch on with film star Jayne Mansfield was a particular highlight. 

• All the past Switch On stars are here

Unusual Switch Ons

A special fly past by the RAF in a Canberra bomber in 1969 triggered the switch to turn on the illuminations, in what was a break from the traditional switch pulling. Another break occurred in 1977 when Red Rum was ridden by his jockey through a ‘photo finish’ style sensor to switch on the lights. 

The infamous switch handle has also been rested from time to time, even for traditional switch ons. Frank Bruno pulled a giant can ring-pull in 1989. Sponsorships from Norweb saw a giant plug being placed into a giant socket to turn on the illuminations. There has also been a giant plunger with long handle to allow several stars to push together. This was used by the Bee Gees in 1995.  

An exciting experience in 2017 saw the crew of Star Trek Discovery join the ceremony by video link, liaising with stage hosts Diversity to specially ‘charge’ the tower, ahead of the switch on. 

The plans for 2020 are a closely guarded secret. But knowing Blackpool, it will be a special night!

The Stars Line Up – Melanie C…

Melanie C is one of the most famous female pop stars on the planet. Last year, saw the Spice Girls’ blockbuster reunion tour with sell-out stadium concerts that served as a joyous reminder of the spell that 90s girl power still casts on pop.

During the lockdown pandemic Melanie was seen DJ’ing from her home to a global audience using the power of IGTV and YouTube. 

Rae Morris

Rae Morris will return to her home town to do a live performance on a closed set in the magnificent Tower Ballroom. She 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!”

Becky Hill and Fleur East

Becky Hill and Fleur East are no strangers to Illuminations Switch-On events, both have performed on the Tower Festival Headland stage in previous years.

Singer-songwriter Becky is one of Britain’s most in-demand musical exports and is the second most listened to female artist on Spotify in the UK, notching up over a billion streams and 18 million monthly listeners.

The multi-talented Fleur East first rose to fame as a powerhouse finalist on The X Factor, with explosive performances that even landed her a No.1 on iTunes with “Uptown Funk” before the song was even officially released. That was followed by her debut single, “Sax”, which stayed in the Top 10 for seven weeks and has gone on to hit over one 100 million streams on Spotify.

Fleur presents The Hits Radio national breakfast show every weekday. She wrote and performed the coronavirus song, Not Alone, with all proceeds going to the NHS COVID-19 Appeal.

Tom Grennan

British singer-songwriter Tom Grennan’s first album, “Lighting Matches”, was one of the best-selling debut albums of 2018. He rose to fame through his first appearance as the guest vocalist on the Chase and Status track, “All Goes Wrong” and has this year released singles ‘This Is The Place’ & ‘Oh Please’ from his forthcoming album.

Ashley & Jordan Banjo

The show hosts, Diversity’s Ashley and Jordan Banjo, have been an integral part of the Illuminations Switch-On night for the past four years, wowing crowds with the extraordinary routines that have cemented their position as the UK’s most accomplished dance group for more than a decade.

Diversity will perform an exclusive routine produced especially for the virtual Switch-On event.

Joel Corry

Joel Corry will provide the post Switch-On entertainment. He broke on to the music scene last summer with his remake of UK Garage classic, “Sorry”, followed by the release of “Lonely” earlier this year. It spent 11 weeks in the UK Top 10 and is currently the biggest-selling record by a UK artist this year.

The show starts at 8.30pm on Friday 4 September. It can be viewed at: 

• visitblackpool.com/switchon, 
• youtube.com/mtvinternational and 
• facebook.com/mtvmusicuk

Bring on the Light!

The 2020 Blackpool Illuminations display will incorporate a special tribute to the UK’s care heroes.

This year’s display will be presented under a theme of Bring On The Light. It will celebrate the extraordinary efforts of the NHS and other key workers during the coronavirus pandemic.

Blackpool’s FIRST Online Switch On!

Covid-19 has led to the cancellation of big events all over the world. But this town is resourceful. It won’t stop the Blackpool Illuminations 2020 Switch On!

In fact in every problem there’s an opportunity! And for the first time this year, everyone will be able to watch the event, all over the world!

The bad news is that there won’t be a Switch On concert at Tower Festival Headland 🙁

But the GOOD NEWS is that, in association with MTV, a FREE to access, hour long concert will be streamed online. Featuring a mixture of at-home, pre-recorded and LIVE performances.

Live – but not Live!

Switch On usually plays to a 20,000 capacity audience. It’s the first time in more than 70 years that a live Switch-On celebration isn’t possible.

It might not be possible for an audience to watch, but live performances are still happening! They’ll be taking place from a closed event… guess where? Inside the fabulous Blackpool Tower Ballroom!

Hosted by Diversity’s Ashley and Jordan Banjo, it will feature a star-studded line-up of talent. Then the finale – the all-important Switch-On moment!

Details of the Switch-On concert line-up will be revealed in the coming weeks. Plus details of how you can view the streamed event.

Extended Illuminations

Blackpool Illuminations will also be extended by two months, starting on September 4 2020 and ending on Sunday 3 January, 2021. It’s the first time Blackpool Illuminations have shone over Christmas and New Year.

Online Switch On is the curtain-raiser for the extended Blackpool Illuminations season between September 4 to January 3, 2021.

Take a look back at 2019

Blackpool Illuminations 2020 Season

Events in 2020 are under review, due to the ongoing Covid-19 situation

Ride the Lights – Cancelled
Ride through the resort’s famous Blackpool Illuminations on your push bike or walk on foot.

Blackpool Illuminations – 4 September – 3 January 2021
Britain’s most spectacular FREE light show returns to Blackpool Promenade for another year.

LightPool Festival – 16-31 October – TBC
It’s the Festival of Light and entertainment during October half-term. Enjoy spectacles and entertainment with light, fire and brilliance on the streets of Blackpool.

The World Fireworks Championships Blackpool – Postponed
Enjoy fireworks from the best display teams in the world, with dramatic and spectacular free nights out.

The 2020 Switch On Stars!

A group of Britain’s brave Corona Heroes will join together to flick the switch for the prestigious Blackpool Illuminations 2020 Switch On!

They include a consultant, two nurses, a hospital catering manager, two extraordinary fundraisers, and a therapy dog and his owner.

They’ll pull the famous switch together at a special virtual switch-on event on Friday 4 September.

Switch On will be broadcast from a closed set in the Tower Ballroom. Show hosts are Ashley and Jordan Banjo, Blackpool-born singer-songwriter Rae Morris, and the Illuminations’ creative curator Laurence Llewelyn-Bowen.

The theme for this year’s Illuminations is Bring On The Light. It celebrates the unstinting work of the NHS, key workers and other outstanding individuals during the coronavirus pandemic. The famous Golden Mile features a display of hearts and rainbows.

48 more Corona Heroes will have illuminated images of themselves on the promenade. Hundreds of nominations were received, from all across the UK.

Welcome… the 2020 Switch On Heroes

Those who will help pull the switch to trigger four months of Illuminations are:

Leona Harris

The nurse from Rossendale has worked as a COVID-19 frontline nurse at Fairfield Hospital in Bury since the start of the pandemic.

Not only that, she has helped raise £75,000 and bought i-Pads for patients in hospitals, care homes, and hospices all over Britain to keep isolated patients and families connected. Her remarkable efforts earned her the nickname of “The Angel from the North”.

Rachelle Sutton

For three months, the nurse moved out of the family home and lived in a hotel so that she could complete 12-hour shifts at the Nightingale Hospital in Manchester at the height of the pandemic. During that time she won the “star award” from Nightingale for her dedication and compassion for end-of-life patients.

Will Ritchie

The six-year-old boy from the Wirral was born with a severe visual impairment and suffers with epilepsy. During lockdown his parents took the opportunity to increase his exercise tolerance.

Over several weeks, he went from 100m to 1500m a day and then completed a challenge for June – Will’s Marathon Month. Inspirational Will has now completed 30 miles and raised more than £14,000 for the Wirral University Teaching Hospital Foundation Trust COVID-19 Support Fund.

Dr Jason Cupitt

The consultant led the COVID response at Blackpool Victoria Hospital Intensive Care Unit, working every day and most nights at the peak of the pandemic, spending only a few hours away from the hospital over several months. His constant presence provide encouragement and reassurance to staff and patients in the struggle against COVID-19.

David Anderson and Jasper the therapy dog.

Hospital chaplain David and his cockapoo have provided support and comfort to sick patients as well as boosting morale for the staff on wards at East Lancashire NHS Hospitals.

Donna Doyle

Employed at Alder Hey Hospital for more than 40 years, the restaurant manager led her catering team through some unprecedented challenges, instantly doubling the number of meals produced on site to provide a free service for patients, families, volunteers and staff, and initiating a delivery service that took free food and drink to front-line staff.

Kirsty Jones

The nurse from Blackpool’s Trinity Hospice moved into a flat by herself in order to continue her work but also protect her husband who had an underlying medical condition and was on the shielded list.

After moving out of the family home on April 15, Kirsty was only able to make daily contact with her husband and two children through Facetime calls. It was five weeks before she returned home to be reunited with her family.

Amazing Front Line Workers

Laurence Llewelyn-Bowen helped to select the winning nominations for the Corona Heroes section. He said: “We’ve all been truly humbled by the volume and nature of the nominations received.

“Every single one shows the dedication and self-sacrifice made by so many individuals during this pandemic. The NHS staff, care workers, delivery drivers, fund-raisers and others who have put their own lives on hold to support the sick and the vulnerable.

“I only wish that we could include all of the nominations within the Illuminations display. Each and every one deserves their place in the limelight.”

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