The Blackpool Illuminations are set to be extended to the end of the year in a bid to give a much-needed boost to the North West tourism industry.
As a result of the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic having a detrimental effect on seaside town’s tourism industry, the 2020 Blackpool Illuminations event will be extended by two months and will run right through until the new year.
Visit Blackpool has also confirmed that the switch-on concert will be replaced for the first time in 70 years.
Instead of welcoming around 20,000 people to watch the switch-on live, the event will be streamed for free in association with MTV this year.
Gillian Campbell, cabinet member for tourism and culture at Blackpool Council, said she was aware of how much the tourism industry was suffering amid the pandemic and hopes this extension will give them “an opportunity to bring in some additional trade”.
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She continued: “The annual Switch-On event is the biggest night in Blackpool’s events calendar.”
“Sadly, it is simply not possible to stage an event of that scale given the current restrictions around social distancing and mass gatherings, however, it would be unthinkable not to launch our Blackpool Illuminations season with an extraordinary event.”
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Wikimedia Commons
“Staging the first ever virtual Switch-On concert to a mass audience watching from home does exactly that.”
“We are planning for a safe, socially distanced Illuminations experience and will be keeping all government health guidance under review as we move towards the autumn season.”
The hour-long switch on concert is to be hosted by Diversity’s Ashley and Jordan Banjo and will include performances from inside the Blackpool Tower Ballroom, as well as some pre-recorded at-home performances.
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The full star-studded line up for the concert will be confirmed in the coming weeks.
Ashley Banjo, who has helped choreograph and performed with Diversity at live switch on events over the past four years, said: “Jordan and I are delighted to be hosting Blackpool’s virtual Switch-On. Blackpool is very much our second home and we cannot wait to return to the resort to host what will be an amazing experience that people will be able to watch, wherever they are.”
Blackpool Illuminations will take place this year between 4th September 2020 – 3rd January 2021.
You can keep up to date via the Visit Blackpool website here.
News
Gary Lineker set to leave BBC this week following more controversy
Danny Jones
Former footballer and veteran presenter Gary Lineker is set to leave the BBC earlier than expected following further political controversies and social media backlash.
Lineker has been butting heads with the presenter for a couple of years now, being suspended by the national corporation back in March 2023 for his comments about language used by the Conservative government, and has continued to take issue with certain aspects of their news coverage.
He has since gone on to share a further video expressing his regret over what he called an “honest mistake”, as well as confirming that he will be making a premature exit from the BBC.
As you can see in the clip above, he says: “I apologise unreservedly for the hurt and upset caused,” insisting that he didn’t see the emoji in question
Lineker is now expected to leave following his final Match of the Day programme this weekend after having already confirmed he would be leaving the role after 26 years at the end of the season.
The ex-English footballer was set to present the 2026 FIFA World Cup next summer, but given the latest furore, he will be stepping away ahead of schedule.
Having gradually wound down his work with networks like TNT Sports (previously BT Sport) and the BBC in recent years, he has been slowly shifting his focus to his own Goalhanger Podcasts company, which includes several popular audio formats under The Rest Is… brand, including his own flagship The Rest Is Football show.
He goes on to add that he’s “stood up for minorities and humanitarian issues and against all forms of racism all my life.” Since the most recent Israel-Palestine conflicts began, he’s been particularly outspoken on the events. One recent interview with the BBC itself sparked plenty of discussion online.
Gary Lineker, "What's going on there (Gaza), the mass murder of thousands of children is something we should have an opinion on"
Amol Rajan, "The BBC needs to be impartial about it"
Lineker reiterated that he would never “knowingly share anything antisemitic” and removed the problematic post as soon as he was made aware.
Nevertheless, the BBC and director general Tim Davie have been facing pressure to address the situation ever since it happened, with many calling for the household name to be sacked.
It seems the ex-Everton, Leicester, Spurs and Barcelona player has made the decision for them.
As he goes on to conclude, despite expressing gratitude regarding his relationship with the BBC, he feels the “time is right […’ to go our separate ways.”
“Wildfires can spread quickly and cause devastation to the land and wildlife on it,” explained GMFRS’s wildfire lead and national tactical adviser for wildfires, Ady Taylor, “so it’s vitally important that people call 999 as soon as they think they see a fire.”
He continued: “We want people to enjoy the countryside and moorland we have in Greater Manchester, but… [we] remind people to always act responsibly while out enjoying these environments.
“This means no BBQs, fires or fireworks – as they can easily result in wildfires.”
On Wednesday 14 May 2025, a teenage boy was arrested on suspicion of arson and interviewed by police in relation to the incident, and then the following day on Thursday 15 May 2025, another two boys were also arrested – with each of the three having now been released on bail pending further enquiries while investigations are ongoing.
Three teenagers have been arrested on suspicion of arson after a large moorland fire in Bury / Credit: Wikimedia Commons
Detective Inspector Andy Wright, from GMP’s Bury district, added: “The moorland fire is being investigated as arson following information from a witness and enquiries we have made.
“We have managed to apprehend three teenagers in relation to this incident, all of them have been bailed following interviews with our officers.”
GMP and GMFRS is reminding Greater Manchester residents that if they see a fire in the countryside, they need to report it immediately, leave the area as soon as possible, and dial 999, and if you witness illegal activity in relation to the fire, then you can report it to Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111
“Fires can have such a devastating effect, and we are lucky that this has not caused a significant amount of damage, or cost lives,” Detective Inspector Andy Wright concluded.
Emily Sergeant -
18th June 2020 
