Tag: Celebrities

Young Blackpool Filmmaker Ryan J. Smith Achieves Worldwide Movie Releases

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The Skint Film Company, founded in 2019, is the film production vehicle of filmmaker Ryan J. Smith.Skint was formed to handle all aspects of production and delivers high quality films for theatrical and streaming distribution. Its recent productions TALKING TO GHOSTS and LOTTERY are available on Apple TV, Amazon Prime, Tubi, Plex and more – putting them in position to undertake more commercial projects with bigger studio and financing partners. Previous productions include the documentary feature RED LIGHT SOLO and the short films BRIGHT EYES and THE BULL AND THE BEAR. Ryan works closely with friends Adam Bentley (visual effects), Alisdair… Read more »

Blackpool: Julie Anne Robinson’s Musical Drama Series

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“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 »

Charlie Cairoli Statue moved to the Tower

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The statue of Charlie Cairoli was initially placed in Stanley Park in Blackpool to honour his contributions to the town’s entertainment scene. But because of his special connection to the Blackpool Tower Circus, the statue was moved to the Blackpool Tower. This relocation was to better recognise his legacy by putting the statue at the place where he made such a big impact. The Blackpool Tower is a historic landmark, and its Tower Circus has been a central part of Blackpool’s entertainment since it opened in 1894. Moving Cairoli’s statue to the Blackpool Tower allows visitors to celebrate his work… Read more »

Houdini comes to Blackpool

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Harry Houdini came to Blackpool in July 1905. While he was here, he performed at the Tower Circus, located in the famous Blackpool Tower complex. This performance was part of his UK tour, where he displayed his amazing escape acts and illusions. Houdini’s appearance in Blackpool, just like his other shows, attracted a lot of attention and mesmerised the local crowd. The Tower Circus, a key venue in Blackpool, offered a perfect setting for Houdini’s thrilling and bold escapes, adding to the town’s storied history of entertainment and magic. The text and images below refer to his acts performed elsewhere,… Read more »

The Beginning of Blackpool Illuminations

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The Blackpool Illuminations, often called the “Switch-On” lights, started back in 1879 when Blackpool’s council celebrated the first use of electric lights along the Promenade. They kicked things off by spending £5,000 on a trial of electric street lighting. They set up eight arc lamps on 60-foot poles along the seafront. At the time, people were still using candles for light, so this new setup amazed everyone and got nicknamed “artificial sunshine.” These electric lights drew curious visitors to Blackpool, starting an annual tradition that continues to this day. Although the early lamps had a quirky issue—they would often go… Read more »

Blackpool Born David Thewlis Lands Harry Potter Role

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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 »

Elton John concert at new seafront arena ends early due to weather

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Sir Elton John was forced to cut short his concert at the new seafront arena in Blackpool due to severe weather conditions, much to the disappointment of the 11,000 fans in attendance. The concert, which took place at the Blackpool Tower Headland arena on 16 June 2012, had already been delayed by half an hour because of the weather. This was the first major event at the venue, located directly opposite the iconic Blackpool Tower on the Comedy Carpet, and there was a palpable sense of excitement as fans gathered for what was set to be a memorable evening. However, after… Read more »

Kevin Spacey, Bill Clinton & Tony Blair Attend Labour Party Conference

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In October 2001, Kevin Spacey and Bill Clinton attended the Labour Party Conference in Blackpool. This conference was a major event in British politics where the Labour Party, led by Prime Minister Tony Blair at the time, came together to discuss policies, showcase achievements, and rally support. During the conference, Kevin Spacey spoke at a fringe event organized by The Independent newspaper. His presence, along with Bill Clinton’s, drew significant media attention and public interest, making the event stand out more than usual. They all stayed at the Imperial Hotel on the Promenade. Bill Clinton’s role was especially notable because… Read more »

Photo Exclusive: Princess Diana’s Compassionate Visit

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In 1987, Princess Diana went to visit a young girl named Nicola Wilding in Blackpool. Nicola, who was dealing with cystic fibrosis, had written a touching letter asking Diana to come and see her. Diana, known for her kindness and dedication to charity, was moved by Nicola’s letter and decided to make the trip. When Diana arrived, she spent time with Nicola and her family, showing a real interest in Nicola’s condition and the challenges she was facing. This wasn’t just a quick visit; Diana took the time to sit down with Nicola, chat with her, and offer comfort and… Read more »

Unveiling of the Comedy Carpet

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Comedian Kenn Dodd opened the Comedy Carpet, a special artwork right on the seafront in front of Blackpool Tower. Created by artist Gordon Young and the Why Not Associates design team, the Comedy Carpet is a large display celebrating British comedy.