visitBlackpool

A Night of Celebrity Spotting

Last night members of the visitBlackpool team set off down the Promenade to spend the evening hobnobbing with the stars at one of Blackpool latest attractions Madame Tussauds.

The latest addition to the internationally famous Madame Tussauds brand opened it’s doors on the site of the former Louis Tussauds just in time for Easter and this was the first opportunity we had had to pay it a visit.

Having been over 30 years since last visiting a Madame Tussauds I was unsure what to expect, remembering the stuffy atmosphere that I experienced in London as a child. However this couldn’t be more different. Here when you first enter there are loads of opportunities to have your pics with the stars. Have your picture with Cheryl Cole, be a judge and sit with Simon Cowell and Louis Walsh, enter the Big Brother Diary Room, chat with Jonathan Ross, or dress up with Gok Wan. You can even sit in the Who Want’s to be a Millionaire chair.

Then we set off on our journey through Lifestyle TV, Crime Drama where our mug shots were taken, into the jungle for our Bush Tucker Trial, some sporting action before a quick rest in the Rover Return and a gossip with Hilda. We then paid a visit with the glitterati of the music world before learning how these famous wax figures are created, even having the chance to create your own wax hand.

Off we went to Blackpool Pier for our picture on a deckchair before entering the TV studio and arguing with Jeremy Kyle and finally ending with the legends of comedy. We all ended the evening having a good laugh at our pictures agreeing that the work that has gone into creating these truly lifelike figures was amazing. So do yourself a favour and make a date to visit this great new attraction.

Madame Tussauds Blackpool is located on Central Promenade and open daily. Click here for more information.

Discounted tickets are also available from our Tourist Information Centre on Clifton Street.

Ian Butterworth

Thriller – Grand Theatre, Blackpool

Thriller was a great show; the music reflected all the key stages in Michael Jackson’s career from being a young seven year old and performing with the Jackson 5, then along came Ben from 1972. 

Each major album was covered and the show included hits from Michaels Off the Wall (1979), Bad (1987), History (1995), Invincible (2001) and of course the amazing Thriller album from 1982 that’s rumoured to have sold over 100m copies.

The cast were excellent - four lead singers, working really well together as well as great interaction with the dancers and the live band.  Throughout the evening they connected with the audience and by the interval almost all the audience had been on their feet clapping, singing and cheering as one hit came after another.  Dancing was a key part of Michael Jackson’s performance and the show successfully delivered with every ‘Michael’ step recreated to the screams and shouts of the audience.

Overall a great evening out and well worth a date in the diary.

By Mandy Tythe-McCallum

Thriller is running until Saturday 2nd April 2011

Box office number: 01253 290190