It has been confirmed this morning that Blackpool Illuminations are to officially be switched back on next Wednesday 2nd December.
The Illuminations season was extended this year to run through Christmas and New Year for the first time in history, but the world’s biggest light festival was sadly suspended “with regret” earlier this month ahead of England entering into its second national lockdown.
But now, the iconic spectacle will burst into light once again to “bring some Christmas cheer across the town” from next week.
The display is also set to return as part of a “much-enhanced winter offer” too.
This year’s Illuminations display – which has been presented under a theme of Bring On The Light – is a celebration of the unstinting work of the NHS, key workers and other outstanding individuals during the coronavirus pandemic, with the famous Golden Mile featuring a display of hearts and rainbows.
ADVERTISEMENT
And on top of that, this winter-themed offering will also include some new Christmas lighting displays in the town centre, and a 40ft tree in St John’s Square.
It’s official! The #BlackpoolIlluminations will burst into light again next week to bring some Christmas cheer across the town ✨?
The iconic Blackpool Tower has remained lit during lockdown and will also be illuminated throughout the extension to the Illuminations season.
ADVERTISEMENT
The displays are also set to run nightly until 3rd January 2021.
Speaking on the return of the Blackpool Illuminations, Cllr Gillian Campbell – Cabinet Member for Tourism & Culture for Blackpool Council – said: “This is about giving our local residents some much-needed festive cheer.
“Months of restrictions have put a dampener on a large part of this year [and] the return of the Illuminations, complemented by a significant investment in town centre lighting, will definitely help lift the mood in the run-up to Christmas.”
Michael Williams – Chair of the Town Centre BID – added: “We are delighted to be supporting the new-look Christmas lights in the town centre [and] given the circumstances of this year, it is important that our town centre businesses get the best possible chance to recoup some of the losses incurred during lockdown in the run-up to Christmas.
“We encourage everyone in Blackpool to shop local and support our retailers.”
I’m A Celebrity line-up announced for brand new all-star series in South Africa
Daisy Jackson
The all-star line-up for I’m A Celebrity… South Africa has been announced, with some massive Manchester celebs taking part.
The brand new show is due to air in April and will see some of the series’ most memorable campmates heading to a new setting in South Africa.
Names involved include Bolton-born boxing legend Amir Khan, Coronation Street star Helen Flanagan, and Happy Mondays legend Shaun Ryder.
And that’s just part of the first wave of celebrity contestants – more famous faces will take part in I’m A Celebrity… South Africa, entering the camp as the series goes on.
The new series will ‘push them to their limits and test them like never before’, ITV has said, promising bigger and tougher challenges and an even harsher environment.
Also taking part from the launch episode will be Diversity star Jordan Banjo, TV presenter Carol Vorderman, Olympian Fatima Whitbread, former royal butler Paul Burrell, ex-England cricketer Phil Tufnell, and supermodel Janice Dickinson.
ITV said: “Whilst nodding back to the Australian jungle, I’m A Celebrity…South Africa is a uniquely different series so viewers can look forward to lots of unexpected twists and turns.”
The trailer also shows the celebs taking part in pre-recorded challenges, taking on everything from nasty food to terrifying heights.
I’m A Celebrity… South Africa will air on ITV1 and ITVX from April 2023.
Featured image: ITV
Trending
Commentator Arlo White shows off what the Old Trafford gantry walk looks like
Danny Jones
Ever wondered what it’s like to be up in the gantry in a football stadium, say, Old Trafford? Well, we certainly have.
You see the odd shot of the commentators sat there on the telly from time to time but it never really gives much away either and, at some venues, it’s quite a ways up there. There’s a little bit of allure behind these mysterious parts of footy grounds that most fans will never get to see.
After hours of mindless scrolling on the social media app, we stumbled across the well-known sports commentator‘s channel where he’s been showing off what it’s like to go in the gantry and one of them is his long walk to crow’s nest up at the Theatre of Dreams.
As it turns out, Arlo’s been doing these videos for a couple of years now, revealing how the gantry looks not only at Old Trafford but other big Premier League grounds too, such as down the road at the Etihad, Arsenal’s Emirates Stadium, Tottenham Hotspurs’ sparkly new ground and many more.
Another reason we found ourselves stuck on his TikTok for so long was also because of the other behind-the-scenes details he reveals too, even shedding light on how he prepares for games: note-taking, data sheets, how keeps himself warm up there during those cold nights on comms and so on.
Emily Sergeant -
26th November 2020 
