Tag: Shows

Matt LaBlanc & Chris Evans Filming Top Gear in Blackpool

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On Matt LeBlanc’s first day filming for Top Gear in 2016, things didn’t exactly go to plan. The former Friends star was tasked with driving a Reliant Rialto, decorated in a bold stars-and-stripes design, when the car unexpectedly broke down on its way from Manchester to Blackpool. The vehicle faltered near a KFC in the Orbital Retail Park in Cannock, Staffordshire, forcing LeBlanc to make an unplanned pit stop. His Top Gear co-star, Chris Evans, wasn’t far behind, piloting his own Union Jack-themed Rialto, and he too was forced to halt as their journey took a more chaotic turn. Rather… Read more »

Hylda Baker’s Blackpool Chauffeur

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Hylda Baker, born in Farnworth, Lancashire, on 4 February 1905, was a renowned British actress, comedian, and singer, famous for her larger-than-life personality and memorable performances. Although originally from Farnworth, she made Cleveleys, on the Fylde coast, her home later in life, a place she cherished both as a residence and a stage for some of her most iconic performances. Her association with the Fylde coast ran deep, as she appeared in numerous shows and made the area a key part of her career. One of her most notable performances took place in the summer of 1956 when she starred… Read more »

Billy J Kramer at The ABC Theatre

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Billy J. Kramer, a singer-songwriter from Liverpool, rose to prominence during the legendary British Invasion of the 1960s. With his backing band, The Dakotas, he delivered chart-topping hits such as “Bad to Me” and “Little Children,” winning the hearts of fans worldwide with his unique voice and charismatic stage presence. This photograph captures a moment of musical magic—a vivid reminder of the energy and emotion of live performances that have left a lasting impact on audiences across generations. The print radiates timeless charm, evoking the joy and nostalgia of an era when music had the power to bring people together,… Read more »

Rolling Stones Riot at Winter Gardens

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Scenes at the Winter Gardens in Blackpool after riots broke out during the Rolling Stones concert on 24 July 1964. It was one of the most notorious riots in rock and roll history and it happened right here in Blackpool. A teenage mob forced The Rolling Stones to flee from the Empress Ballroom, as they stormed the stage wrecking their kit. The cheers and screams of the teenagers turned into threatening boos and the five band members ran from the stage to safety while grand piano was reduced to matchwood. In March 1964, the Stones were back in the North West, playing at… Read more »

Mike Yarwood Fails Driving Test

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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 Escapes to Blackpool

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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 »

Bob Hope at the Opera House

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Bob Hope (1903–2003), one of the biggest stars of the golden age of Hollywood, brought his legendary comedic talents to Blackpool during a brief but memorable visit in 1961. Although Hope was at the height of his film career and preparing for a prestigious engagement at the London Palladium, his London agent, Lew Grade, had arranged for him to perform two warm-up concerts at Blackpool’s Opera House on Saturday, 21 April. Hope’s appearances in Blackpool were, unsurprisingly, a resounding success, drawing packed houses eager to see the South London-born performer who had become a quintessential American icon. During his visit,… Read more »

Ivor Novello at the Grand and Opera House

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Ivor Novello was a huge star in the first half of the 20th century and had international success in films as an actor hailed at the British Rudolph Valentino; indeed the New York Times declared him to be “the handsomest man in Britain!” Novello was also a famous composer and achieved great success with his musicals. They were lush, romantic and in many ways utter nonsense but people loved the escapism, especially during the depression in the 1930s and then the war years. People wanted to forget reality for a couple of hours and escape into Novello’s world of Ruritanian… Read more »

Sir John Gielgud at the Opera House

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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 at the Opera House

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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 »