Tag: 2010

Robbie Williams Switches Blackpool On

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On Friday 3 September 2010, global pop icon Robbie Williams returned to one of his favourite childhood holiday destinations to switch on the world-famous Blackpool Illuminations. The highly anticipated event drew thousands of spectators to the town’s iconic seafront, officially launching the annual display of lights that would run for a record 66 consecutive nights. The switch-on ceremony has long been a staple of the resort’s calendar, but Williams’ involvement that year added a particular buzz of excitement, thanks to his massive fanbase and his own nostalgic connection to the town. While Robbie did not perform on the night, his… Read more »

Photo Exclusive: Joe McElderry’s First Live Performance in Blackpool

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On 14 November 2010, Blackpool BID put on the Christmas Lights Switch-On event in the town centre with Joe McElderry doing the honours. The video clip and photos featured in this post were taken at the event and are shown here for the first time as an exclusive on Blackpool Timeline. For more up-to-date information about Blackpool BID, please visit the website. BACK TO THE PRESENT Michael Harrison and the Really Useful Group are delighted to announce that South Shields-born X Factor winner, Joe McElderry, will return this year to Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, where he is set… Read more »

Paul Maynard Becomes Blackpool North MP and Advocate for Disability Rights

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Paul Maynard, born on 16 December 1975 in Crewe, Cheshire, is a British Conservative politician who served as the Member of Parliament (MP) for Blackpool North and Cleveleys from 2010 until 2024. He was educated at St Ambrose College in Altrincham and later earned a first-class degree in history from University College, Oxford. Before entering Parliament, Maynard worked as a political adviser and speechwriter. Throughout his parliamentary career, Maynard held several governmental positions. He served as Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Transport from July 2016 to January 2018 and again from July 2019 to February 2020. In May 2019, he… Read more »

Aiden Grimshaw Gets into X-Factor

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Aiden Samuel Grimshaw (born 4 December 1991 in Blackpool) is an English singer, songwriter and actor who was formerly known by the stage name Butterjack. He studied at the Michael Hall Theatre School in North Shore, Blackpool. He played Tom Holmes in an episode of CBBC show Half Moon Investigations. He successfully made it to the live shows in the seventh series of The X Factor in 2010 and was the eighth contestant eliminated. After his elimination, Grimshaw was signed by RCA Records. On 3 June 2012, he released his debut single “Is This Love”, which debuted at number 35… Read more »

Anna Jobarteh Plays Star Pupil on Waterloo Road

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Anna Jobarteh was born on 3 April 1996 in Blackpool and is best known for her work in television, including Paradox (2009), In From the Cold (2022), and Coronation Street (1960). She made her on-screen debut at the age of 13 in BBC One’s Waterloo Road, portraying Ruth Kirby, a gifted but headstrong student in the school-based drama. A former pupil from Marton, Anna was thrilled to step onto the Waterloo Road set, where she swapped her Highfield school uniform for that of her on-screen counterpart. Her character made an immediate impact, running away on her first day and prompting… Read more »

Joseph-Warren Plant Joins Emmerdale

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Joe-Warren Plant, born on 12 April 2002 in Blackpool, is a British actor best known for his role as Jacob Gallagher in the ITV soap opera Emmerdale. He has played Jacob since 2010, beginning his time on the show at the age of eight. His portrayal has earned him three nominations for Best Young Performance at the British Soap Awards in 2014, 2019, and 2021. Raised in Poulton-le-Fylde with his parents, Steph and Warren Plant, he developed an early interest in acting and was enrolled at Scream Theatre School in Blackpool from the age of four. He later attended Baines… Read more »

Hamish Hamilton Directs 82nd Academy Awards & Super Bowl Halftime Show

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Hamish Hamilton, born Mark Hamilton on 8 April 1966 in Blackpool, is a British film and television director known for his work on some of the world’s biggest live events. Since 2010, he has directed the Super Bowl halftime show annually and has also been at the helm of prestigious productions such as the Academy Awards, the MTV Video Music Awards, and the opening and closing ceremonies of the 2012 London Olympics. His career has seen him collaborate with major music artists, including Mariah Carey, Eminem, Madonna, The Who, and U2. Hamilton began his career at BBC Scotland, where he… Read more »

Cuffe & Taylor Bring Major Acts to the Fylde Coast

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One of the UK’s top 10 live music and event promoters, Cuffe & Taylor are experts in promotion, production, and event management. Offering exceptional experiences for artists and audiences like no other, they produce and promote major festivals, stadium tours, arena concerts and theatre shows across the UK and internationally. Founded in 2010, business partners Daniel Cuffe and Peter Taylor dipped their toe into the live music world with the one-night Lytham Proms in their hometown of Lytham, Lancashire. This has now grown into the huge five-day Lytham Festival attracting in excess of 100,000 fans each summer. Alongside Lytham Festival, Cuffe… Read more »

Barney Harwood – BBC’s Blue Peter Presenter

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Barnaby John Harwood was born on 7 November 1979 in Blackpool and is a British actor and television presenter. He is probably best known for his work with CBBC beginning in 2002. Harwood presented Prank Patrol for the BBC and was a voice-over commentator for The Smokehouse, while on BBC Two, he co-presented Basil’s Swap Shop (a remake of Multi-Coloured Swap Shop), alongside Basil Brush. Previous work for CBBC included gameshow Crush in 2004, Sport Relief Gets Sub’d!, a Sport Relief 2006 show and as co-presenter of Smile, which aired each Sunday on BBC Two until 26 August 2007 and saw… Read more »

The Enterprise Vision Awards

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The Enterprise Vision Awards (EVAs) are one of the most prestigious business awards for women in the UK, celebrating the achievements, talents, and entrepreneurial spirit of women in business across a range of industries. Founded in 2010, the awards aim to inspire and showcase the success of women who have shown exceptional leadership, innovation, and success in their respective fields. The event is particularly significant for highlighting the contributions of women in business and empowering them to continue making strides in a traditionally male-dominated arena. Each year, the Enterprise Vision Awards bring together a diverse range of female entrepreneurs, leaders,… Read more »