Crowds cheer as Laurence Llewelyn-Bowen lights up Blackpool's famous Illuminations

TV celebrity and designer Laurence Llewelyn-Bowen brought a dash of showbiz razzmatazz to Blackpool as he switched on the resort’s famous Illuminations.

The star of Channel 4’s Changing Rooms pulled the switch at the end of a 90-minute live concert in the Blackpool Tower Ballroom produced in association with MTV and featuring Blue, Tom Grennan, Nina Nesbitt, Fuse ODG and Mae Muller

Crowds who had gathered on the Promenade to watch the show on a giant screen were treated to a burst of fireworks and a spectacular light show on The Blackpool Tower to mark the start of four months of Illuminations.

All you need to know about the Blackpool Lights switch-on

The 2022 Blackpool Illuminations have once again been extended by two months and will shine each night from September 2 to January 2, 2023.

The Illuminations remain one of the UK’s most endearing and enduring tourist attractions, having shone for more than a century.

Laurence Llewelyn-Bowen Switched on Blackpool Illuminations Credit: Dave Nelson

Laurence had earlier told the show’s host Becca Dudley of his love and affection for the Illuminations and his pride at being invited to perform the Switch-On ceremony. 

Over the past few years, Laurence has collaborated with the Illuminations production team, designing a number of spectacular features and installations.

His appearance as Switch-On star this year coincides with the unveiling of a dazzling makeover for the Golden Mile in which Laurence has created a stretch of Art Deco-style features that will celebrate a golden age of 1930s glamour. 

Laurence Llewelyn-Bowen Switched on Blackpool Illuminations Credit: Dave Nelson

Cllr Lynn Williams, Leader of Blackpool Council, said: “We are delighted to add Laurence’s name to the list of celebrities who have turned on the Illuminations down the years. He is one of our greatest ambassadors.

“It was also great to be able to share the concert and Switch-On moment with residents and visitors who gathered on the Promenade and with a worldwide audience via the live stream. Nights like Switch-On are what make Blackpool such a special place.”

The concert and Switch-On moment were streamed to a global audience via VisitBlackpool and MTV channels.

Last year, that attracted viewers from as far afield as Australia, Canada and the United States.

It was also live-streamed on a specially-erected screen on the nearby Tower Festival Headland.

The stream will be available for viewing until 7.30pm on Sunday 4th September at www.visitblackpool.com/switchon