Peter Kay switches on Blackpool Illuminations 2014

Britain’s most popular comedian, Peter Kay, has officially switched on Blackpool Illuminations for 2014!

In a rare public appearance, the Phoenix Nights star, whose name has been synonymous with Blackpool since his record selling “Live at the Top of Tower” DVD, charmed the 20,000-strong crowd at Blackpool’s seafront Festival Headlands.

Fireworks launched from the top of The Blackpool Tower as the lights turned on the Golden Mile and along the length of the town’s famous Promenade.

The Bolton-born comedian revealed his delight at turning on the famous display in an exclusive interview with Rock FM.

He told the station: ““Blackpool is a huge part of my life. It always has been and I’ve so much affection for it so to be asked to turn the lights on is a massive big deal to me.

“I did my first live stand up show there. We filmed Phoenix Nights there. We filmed Max and Paddy there. And it looks brilliant now!

“There’s a lot of money been spent; the front looks gorgeous and it has really gone up a gear so I’m absolutely made up about the whole thing.”

And he even dished out some advice to people visiting Blackpool Illuminations

“I always go the week the clocks go back and the lights start coming on at 5 O’clock,” he said.

“So then you can get up and down quick, grab some fish and chips and have the kids back home and in bed by 8 O’clock. That’s my top tip!”

The big switch-on was preceded by a star-studded night of entertainment featuring some of the most popular names in British music.

Superstar girl band, Little Mix, headlined the Illuminations Switch-On concert with support coming from Texas, Texas, Pixie Lott, Union J, George Ezra and Matt Cardle amongst others.

Rock FM’s Hywel and Jamie, oversaw the festivities while the first ever Switch-On Food Festival, ran throughout the day on Blackpool Promenade and continues throughout the weekend.

And there’s more entertainment to come throughout Blackpool’s Switch-On Festival Weekend 2014!

Tickets are still available for the Saturday and Sunday concerts, also being held on the Festival Headlands and hosted by Rock FM’s Danny Bee.

Saturday’s West End themed show features performances from the cast of Thriller Live, Dirty Dancing – The Classic Show on Stage, Chicago, Priscilla Queen of the Desert, Jon Lee of S Club 7 fame and friends performing songs from the Jersey Boys and Leanne Jones, star of Hairspray.

Sunday’s show, meanwhile, is headlined by Rebecca Ferguson with top nineties acts including Atomic Kitten, Liberty X, 911 and Damage also taking part.

Cllr Graham Cain, Blackpool Council’s cabinet member for tourism and leisure, said: “Our Friday night Switch-On concert was absolutely fantastic and a huge thanks go to every single person that attended from the artists to the people that made it all possible to everyone that came to watch.

“We’re now looking forward to two more fabulous nights of entertainment on Saturday and Sunday.

“Tickets are still available and I would urge everyone to come along, make a weekend of it and enjoy themselves.”

Tickets can still be purchased from the Box Office on the Promenade.

For more information about the Switch-On Weekend click here