Category: 2004

Daniel J Whiston – Skating His Way into our Hearts

Posted by

Daniel J. Whiston, born on 21 November 1976 in Blackpool, is a celebrated professional ice skater and television personality. The son of Marj and William Whiston, Daniel has been closely associated with the Blackpool Pleasure Beach’s Ice Arena, where he began skating at age seven and performed in numerous productions. He made his debut in the arena’s show at 18 and later toured North America with Grease on Ice. Until 2006, Whiston starred in the Pleasure Beach’s Hot Ice Show, with his performances featured on DVDs such as Quixotic, Xylatomia, and Chill. In television, Whiston gained fame through his involvement in… Read more »

Cathryn Bradshaw Stars in BBC Blackpool TV Series

Posted by

Cathryn Bradshaw, born on 13 January 1964 in Blackpool and raised in Poulton-le-Fylde, attended Breck School before training at the Bristol Old Vic Theatre School, graduating in 1987 alongside Louise Plowright and Mark Strong. An accomplished English actress, she is widely known for her role as Melanie in the acclaimed BBC drama Oranges Are Not the Only Fruit (1990), opposite Charlotte Coleman. Bradshaw married actor Mark Strong in 1989 in Lancashire, though the marriage ended in divorce after a few years. Her first television role was in 1988, playing the Princess in an episode of The Storyteller. She followed this… Read more »

Geri Halliwell Switches On The Lights

Posted by

On 3 September 2004, former Spice Girl Geri Halliwell took centre stage in Blackpool to perform before activating the Blackpool Illuminations in a grand celebration of their 125th anniversary. This milestone year, dubbed “125 Electric Light Years,” paid homage to the enduring legacy of this iconic annual event. Geri was joined on stage by an array of star performers, including chart-topping boy band McFly, Fame Academy sensation Lemar, former Savage Garden frontman Darren Hayes, 1980s hitmakers Swing Out Sister, and the cast of Boogie Nights, featuring entertainers Jimmy Osmond and Billy Pearce. The event was a dazzling spectacle hosted by… Read more »

At The Grange

Posted by

At The Grange is a vibrant community hub located in Blackpool that serves as a multi-functional space offering services, activities, and resources to the local community. It provides a wide range of facilities, including a library, café, and spaces for community events and workshops. It is designed to support community engagement, lifelong learning, and social inclusion. The Blackpool City Learning Centre (CLC), originally built in 2004, played a significant role in fostering innovation in education within the Blackpool area. Initially, the CLC was a dedicated facility for enhancing learning through cutting-edge technology, supporting schools and offering advanced resources for students… Read more »

Strictly Come Dancing filming in the Tower Ballroom

Posted by

The first episode of ‘Strictly Come Dancing’ filmed at the Tower Ballroom in Blackpool happened during the show’s second series on 20 November 2004. This special episode started a beloved tradition where the iconic Blackpool Tower Ballroom became a glamorous and historic venue for the dance competition, adding extra excitement and prestige for both contestants and viewers. Moving to Blackpool was seen as a milestone in the competition, marking a significant achievement for the remaining contestants. Dancing in the Tower Ballroom was considered a prestigious opportunity, and many professional dancers and celebrities viewed it as one of the highlights of… Read more »

Blackpool: Julie Anne Robinson’s Musical Drama Series

Posted by

“Blackpool” is a British television musical drama series directed by Julie Anne Robinson, which aired on BBC One in 2004. Set in the seaside town of Blackpool, a popular tourist spot in England, the show blends drama, musical, and comedy elements in a unique way. The series follows Ripley Holden, a charismatic man who owns an amusement arcade in Blackpool. His dream is to make the town a top entertainment destination. However, his plans face a major setback when a murder happens in his arcade, leading to an investigation by the determined Detective Peter Carlisle. As the investigation unfolds, Ripley’s… Read more »

Blackpool Born David Thewlis Lands Harry Potter Role

Posted by

David Thewlis landed the role of Remus Lupin in the Harry Potter films after a detailed casting process. He first appeared as Lupin in “Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban,” where he brought a lot of depth and warmth to the character of the Defense Against the Dark Arts professor. People really praised Thewlis for showing Lupin’s struggles with lycanthropy and his role as a mentor to Harry Potter and his friends. His performance added a lot of talent to the Harry Potter cast and helped make the series so successful and beloved. David Thewlis was born and raised… Read more »