Tag: Celebrities

Blackpool’s Town Crier

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Back in 2000, Barry became Blackpool’s official town crier after spending 12 years in Birmingham and he says he has never looked back. He moved back to Lancashire when he was 21 and spent eight years in Morecambe before moving to Ludlow in Shropshire when his town crier career started. The image below shows Laura Sinfield, Tracy Dawson (right) wife of Les Dawson, John Chadwick (left) and Barry McQueen at Birmingham New Street Station after travelling from Blackpool on 30 September 2002 to mark Virgin Trains new regional InterCity rail network for the UK with a re-launch of its CrossCountry train company.

Nikki Hesford Appears on Dragon’s Den

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Nikki Hesford appeared Dragon’s Den in 2011, with her fast fashion brand that made clothing and lingerie for bigger busted women. Nikki was born in October 1985 in Rochdale, the daughter of former rugby star Steve Hesford, who used to play for Warrington Wolves, and niece of former Blackpool goalie Iain Hesford. She left Rochdale and moved to Lancaster where she set up a lingerie and clothes business called Miss Fit UK. She exited this business in 2015 and now runs The Small Business Academy, a support hub for the next generation of entrepreneurs to tap into trustworthy advice and… Read more »

Cynthia Lennon – Born in Blackpool

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Cynthia Lennon (née Powell; 10 September 1939 – 1 April 2015) was a British artist and author, and the first wife of John Lennon. She was born in Blackpool on 10 September 1939 and raised in Hoylake on the Wirral Peninsula. She was the youngest of three children of General Electric Company employee Charles Powell and his wife Lillian (née Roby), who already had two sons named Charles and Anthony. Her parents were from Liverpool, but her mother (along with other pregnant women) was sent to the safer area of Blackpool after World War II had been declared and lived… Read more »

James Hanratty, John Lennon and Stevonia Fish & Chips

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In October 1961, when James Hanratty became a prime suspect in the notorious A6 murder case, he went into hiding and attempted to deny his involvement by calling investigators and newspapers. On the night of 11 October, Hanratty travelled from Liverpool to Blackpool, a town he hoped might offer him some anonymity. At around 11:15 pm, he was enjoying a meal at the Stevonia Fish and Chips Restaurant, located on Central Drive. It was here that he had an unexpected encounter with Detective Constables James Williams and Albert Stillings, who had stopped by the restaurant for a cup of coffee…. Read more »

BBC’s John Simpson’s Cleveleys Start

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John Cody Fidler-Simpson CBE is an esteemed English foreign correspondent and the current World Affairs Editor of BBC News. Born on 9th August, 1944, in Cleveleys, Lancashire, Simpson briefly experienced the serene coastal surroundings before being taken to London shortly after his birth. His father, Roy Simpson, a Christian Scientist and property developer, and his mother separated when John was seven. He spent much of his formative years in Dunwich, Suffolk, choosing to live with his father while his mother cared for his two half-sisters. Simpson was educated at prestigious institutions, including Dulwich College Preparatory School and St. Paul’s School,… Read more »

Murder on Blackpool Express

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Murder on the Blackpool Express is a 2017 comedy-drama television film written by Jason Cook. A parody of Agatha Christie’s Murder on the Orient Express, the film blends humour with a mystery narrative. It stars Johnny Vegas as Terry, a down-to-earth coach driver, and Sian Gibson as Gemma, the tour guide and his love interest. The film also features a star-studded cast, including Sheila Reid, Una Stubbs (in her final role), Griff Rhys Jones, Nina Wadia, Nigel Havers, Kimberley Nixon, and Kevin Eldon. The plot revolves around a bus tour designed for mystery novel enthusiasts, led by the pompous author… Read more »

Mel B Switches on the Lights

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Mel B expressed how privileged she felt to be chosen to switch on the Blackpool Illuminations, a moment she described as especially meaningful due to her deep connection to the resort. The Spice Girls singer, who once lived in Blackpool as a teenager, recalled her early days as a 16-year-old dancer in the Mystique show at the Pleasure Beach. This experience marked her first professional job before she rose to global fame with the Spice Girls. Reflecting on her childhood, Mel B shared fond memories of her family visiting the Illuminations every year in their “clapped-out car,” sitting in traffic… Read more »

Lady Gaga Performs at the Opera House

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On 7 December 2009, Lady Gaga delivered a performance at the Royal Variety Performance at Blackpool’s iconic Opera House that left the audience, including Queen Elizabeth II, utterly captivated. Known for her bold and avant-garde fashion choices, Gaga surpassed all expectations by appearing on stage dressed as Queen Elizabeth I in a striking red latex outfit. The ensemble, complete with an intricate ruffled dress and dramatic sparkly eye makeup, was a stunning blend of historical reference and modern eccentricity. Her performance was equally daring, featuring a massive, surrealist Dali-style piano that added an extra layer of spectacle to her already… Read more »

Will Smith Performing on the Promenade

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Hollywood star Will Smith headlined the final night of the 2017 Livewire Festival on Blackpool Promenade, performing with DJ Jazzy Jeff. This performance marked their only UK show that year, delighting fans with hits like Miami, Summertime, and Gettin’ Jiggy Wit It. Smith and DJ Jazzy Jeff first teamed up in the 1980s and won a Grammy for their hit Parents Just Don’t Understand. Ahead of the festival, Smith posted a rehearsal video online, teasing fans with a simple message: “Y’all Ready??” Known for his successful acting career, Smith became a household name with his role in the 1990s sitcom… Read more »

Jimmy Tarbuck

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Jimmy Tarbuck, often affectionately called ‘Tarby’, is a well-known figure with a long history in British entertainment. A prominent supporter of the Conservative Party, he was particularly aligned with Margaret Thatcher and even baked a cake to celebrate her 60th birthday in 1985. A keen golfer, Tarbuck made a name for himself as a regular participant in televised pro-celebrity golf matches. He is also a passionate supporter of Liverpool Football Club. Tarbuck’s career began as a holiday camp entertainer, and he made his Blackpool debut in 1963, performing a week of cabaret at the Sands Club, Marton. He returned in… Read more »