Tag: Celebrities

Robert Lawrenson Lands Role in SyFy’s Sanctuary

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Robert Lawrenson was born in Blackpool on 12 November 1971. He is an actor, film editor and director, perhaps best known for his role of Declan MacRae in the SyFy TV show Sanctuary (2008) – where he appeared for three series, and Underworld Awakening (2012). He began acting as a child in musical theatre, and went on to study acting in York, and performed in theatre in York, and in several productions at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe. Lawrenson played P.C. Glaister and a police officer in Coronation Street from 2002 to 2007. He also appeared in Crossroads, Holby City, Heartbeat,… Read more »

Legend Sir Bill Beaumont Joins Fylde Rugby Club

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Sir Bill Beaumont, born on 9 March 1952, in Chorley, Lancashire, is a distinguished figure in rugby union, celebrated for his contributions both on and off the field. He was also a one-club player who joined Fylde Rugby Club as a 17-year-old in 1969, then retiring in 1982 due to an injury. He earned 34 England caps, 21 as captain, led the side to the Grand Slam in 1980, and captained the 1980 British Lions tour to South Africa. Post-retirement, Beaumont remained a prominent figure in rugby as a broadcaster, and columnist. As a player, he earned 34 caps for England between… Read more »

John Lennon’s Three Fleetwood Summers

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John Lennon lived in Fleetwood for three Summers from 1947 to 1949, just nine miles north of Blackpool. The image below shows him in the front garden of 90 The Esplanade, a large corner house facing the marina in Fleetwood. The background image shows the house as it is today. Lennon’s Aunt Elizabeth ‘Mater’ Parkes was just widowed and working at this address as a live-in housekeeper with her son Stanley, John’s cousin and ‘big brother’. There are several posts on the timeline showing John Lennon’s connection to Blackpool: John Lennon’s Father’s Home in Blackpool, Cynthia Lennon – Born in Blackpool, The… Read more »

Sonny Flood Lands Role in Hollyoaks

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Sonny Flood, born on 18 November 1989 in Blackpool, was educated at Rossall School near Fleetwood, where he excelled academically. In 2006, he achieved ten GCSEs, all graded A or A*, followed by four A grades at AS level in English Literature, History, Media Studies, and Philosophy in 2007. The following year, he attained an A in English Literature and a B in History at A2 level, opting to focus on just two subjects to balance his studies with his acting commitments on the Channel 4 soap opera Hollyoaks. A devoted Blackpool FC supporter, he appeared on Sky Sports’ Soccer… 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 »

Brassic Cast Comes to Blackpool for Series 5

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Brassic cast members Michelle Keegan, Tom Hanson, Bronagh Gallagher, Aaron Heffernan, Carl Rice, and Muzz Khan run riot on a Blackpool pier and try their luck in the arcade in season 5. Reeling from the dramatic events of the Series 4 finale, Vinnie and the gang face big repercussions from their entanglements with the dangerous MacDonagh brothers and powerful drug buyer Manolito. With both criminal big-wigs now on his case, Vinnie needs to negotiate his exit strategy – and fast. But there’s a lot on his mind, especially as he’s still trying to figure out what the hell is going… Read more »

Gerry North Wins Two Major Titles in One Year

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Born in Chester in 1936, Gerry North had a distinguished career as a long-distance runner, representing several clubs including Blackpool and Fylde AC, Belgrave Harriers, and City of Portsmouth AC. His impressive personal bests included 3:57.2 for 1500m, 14:06.1 for 5000m, and 29:06.2 for 10,000m. In 1962, he gained national recognition for his victory in the English Championship cross-country event near Blackpool, defeating European three-mile record-holder Bruce Tulloh by two seconds in a thrilling race. North’s win, along with his inter-counties title in the same year, marked a rare and significant achievement. Though small in stature, Gerry North was known… Read more »

John Lennon’s Father’s Home in Blackpool

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The Fylde coast played a significant role in John Lennon’s early years. As a child, Lennon spent many summers with his cousins, Leila and Stanley, who were at boarding schools in St Annes and Rossall. He would often take the tram to Blackpool, where he enjoyed performances by George Formby, Dickie Valentine, and Arthur Askey. He also learned to swim at Fleetwood’s old open-air baths, and it’s even rumoured that he and Stanley supported Fleetwood Town. In June 1946, John’s father, Alfred, visited his sister Mimi at 251 Menlove Avenue and took John on what seemed like a long “holiday”… Read more »

Violet Carson Becomes Ena Sharples

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Violet Carson was born on 1 September 1898 in German Street, Manchester, and is best remembered for her iconic role as Ena Sharples in Coronation Street. The eldest of two daughters, she was raised by a flour miller father and an amateur singer mother. In her later years, Violet settled in Cleveleys, Blackpool, with her sister Nellie. At 30, Violet became ‘Auntie Vi’ on BBC Radio’s Children’s Hour, where she worked alongside young actor Tony Warren, who would later create Coronation Street. She also appeared on BBC North Region’s Woman’s Hour. In October 1960, Violet auditioned for the role of… Read more »

James Cartmell Gets Voice Role for DreamWorks

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James Cartmell is an English actor known for his work in both theatre and voice acting. He gained recognition for his role in the West End production of Milked and became the voice of the titular character in the British animated series Where’s Waldo. Cartmell also voices Gilber Barker in the 2021 Netflix series Go, Dog. Go!. Born in Lancashire, England, Cartmell attended Kirkham Grammar School and began pursuing acting and voice lessons in 2007. During his school years, he was actively involved in music and sports, competing in athletics at a competitive level with UK Athletics. He later joined… Read more »