Tag: Events

In 1965, up-and-coming impersonator Mike Yarwood was pictured with actress Janet Rowsell, the “pretty starlet” who helped him after he failed his driving test for the third time. The two were photographed on 14 June 1965 at the Central Pier in Blackpool, where they appeared together in a show. The image shows them reading the Highway Code—a lighthearted moment that perfectly captured the youthful charm and comedic spirit of Yarwood at the time. Yarwood’s career took off in the 1970s, reaching its peak during the golden age of British light entertainment. Under the guidance of Bill Cotton, the BBC’s head… Read more »

Bette Davis’s first visit to Blackpool was in September 1936 when she stayed at the County Hotel. During her stay, she crossed the Promenade to be photographed and interviewed by the Gazette. She checked into the hotel under her married name as Mrs H.O. Nelson, California. It was the answer to the question newspapers were asking on both sides of the Atlantic: Where is Bette Davis? She vanished from Hollywood after a row with film magnate Jack Warner, head of the mighty Warner Brothers organisation. Bette, reaching the peak of her career, felt her scripts were declining in quality and, after… Read more »

The headline referenced a different kind of national emergency—the outbreak of war—when stage producers sought refuge for their plays away from London. Blackpool, with its multiple theatres and a wartime population swelled by civil servants and RAF personnel in training, became an unlikely hub for some of the most prestigious productions of the time. Among these, one of the most remarkable moments came in late September 1939, when the Grand Theatre hosted what might well be its most star-studded cast ever. The production was John Gielgud’s staging of Oscar Wilde’s The Importance of Being Earnest. Gielgud himself starred as John… Read more »

Judy Garland’s appearance at Blackpool’s Opera House on Sunday, 24 June 1951, remains a legendary moment in the venue’s history. The 28-year-old star, brought to the UK by promoter Harold Fielding as part of a major concert tour, was experiencing a transitional phase in her career. With her film work in decline, Garland sought to rekindle her stardom through live performances in some of Britain’s most prestigious venues. The anticipation was palpable as more than 6,000 fans packed the Opera House for two shows that evening. Outside, devoted admirers gathered around the stage door, hoping for a glimpse of the… Read more »