Latest news with #BlackpoolIlluminations
Wales Online
31-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Wales Online
Britain's Got Talent's 2024 winner and their impressive confession about the £250,000 prize
Britain's Got Talent's 2024 winner and their impressive confession about the £250,000 prize The 2025 finale is almost upon us so let's remind ourselves of who won last year and what they've done with the dosh Sydnie Christmas won last year's BGT, but what has she done with the prize money? (Image: (Image: ITV) ) Last year, Sydnie Christmas captured the public's hearts after winning Britain's Got Talent with her show stopping performance of Somewhere Over the Rainbow from The Wizard of Oz. However, following the competition she disclosed some surprising facts regarding the show's £250,000 prize money. Despite the impressive sum she won on the beloved ITV programme, the singer shared that she hasn't spent a single penny of her winnings. Instead, Sydnie has safely stashed all of it into savings, with an eye toward her future aspirations. She said: "With the prize money, I've put it all away in a savings account because I want to save for a house at some point." For the latest TV and showbiz gossip sign up to our newsletter . Sydnie explained: "All I ever wanted was stability, to be able to move on in the future and one day have children and things like that, so now, luckily enough, I've been given that." Even though her savings remain untouched, life for Sydnie has been far from idle post-BGT victory. She's not only wrapped up work on her album but also enjoyed performing live, as well as that she's been a semi-regular competition presenter on ITV daytime TV. She said: "I've finished working on the album, which is cool. I've had a few gigs, really cool gigs, in front of loads of people." A standout moment for her was the Blackpool Illuminations. The Express reported Sydnie saying: "The Blackpool Illuminations were just unbelievable. I heard there was 80,000 people there, but then I also heard there was 100,000 people there. It was just ridiculous, best experience ever." Reflecting upon the intense moments during Britain's Got Talent, Sydnie confessed that despite thoroughly enjoying the process, it was nearly overshadowed by her anxiety. She said: "Both the semi-final and final, for one, I went last and I nearly threw up." Her nerves were tested by repeated scheduling decisions. She explained: "They kept putting me on last, I was like, 'guys, this is not fair two days in a row, oh my goodness." The tension didn't abate at that point. She remembered the fraught moments preceding the winner's revelation: "It was the waiting before they announced who won, it was awful. I nearly had a full-on panic attack." Since winning the competition, Sydnie has returned to the BGT stage to perform during this year's semi-finals. The returning winner, sang with her friend and past Britain's Got Talent contestant, Loren Allred, who is the voice behind the Greatest Showman hit Never Enough. Sydnie posted on social media: "Full circle moment going back to where it all started, but to be able to do it with a friend makes it all that much sweeter. "I will fly the @bgt flag for the rest of my days. I'm forever grateful. And the dreams that you dare to dream. Really do come true." Content cannot be displayed without consent Article continues below
Business Mayor
02-05-2025
- Business Mayor
I've been to Disney 50 times but one £30-a-night UK seaside town is as great for family holidays
IF you didn't grow up sat behind a gingham windbreaker with a bag of chips and a stone in your jelly shoe, you didn't spend your childhood at the great British seaside. Some of my fondest childhood memories were sat on the beach, with my mum and dad and my Nanny Eva. 7 I've been to Walt Disney World in Florida over 50 times – but a budget break in the UK is equally as good Credit: Helen Wright 7 The sunny weather, the rides and characters, as well as the food and experiences makes Walt Disney World a great family holiday Credit: Helen Wright 7 But my fondest childhood memories were sat on the beach, with my mum and dad and my Nanny Eva at the British seaside Credit: Helen Wright Our pale limbs turning pink in the sun as we tried to hoover up a Mr Whippy 99 flake before it melted down our arms. Now, I have a family of my own and holidays are less simple and a lot more expensive. As a Disney fan, I have been to Walt Disney World in Florida over 50 times. We love the sunny weather , the rides and characters, as well as the food and experiences in the USA. However, it's a world away from my holiday memories of getting the train from London to Blackpool, usually in the October school holidays so we could see the Blackpool Illuminations. When I was growing up in the 1980s, we didn't have the money to go on holidays abroad. I was eight when my family flew on a plane for the first time. Read More 'A lesson like no other': readers' favourite learning holidays By comparison, my children are already travel veterans, navigating the airport like seasoned pros and thinking nothing of boarding a nine-hour flight to the sunshine state. However, making sure my kids have less flashy, more realistic holiday memories is important to me as someone who grew up in a working-class family. In my opinion , Blackpool in Lancashire is the perfect British beach destination and it seems like coachloads of beach-loving Brits agree. The colourful city by the sea often tops the list of best beach destinations in the UK, as well as recently being dubbed the 'friendliest' in a poll by train company, LNER. Seaside theme park gets reimagined ride Blackpool attracted 6.8 million visitors to its famous Victorian promenade in July last year, with the number of holiday-makers growing every year since tourist destinations reopened after Covid. Despite the cost-of-living crisis, beach-loving Brits know Blackpool will be a budget-friendly break for families. As well as golden sandy beaches, a wide variety of attractions and lots of seasonal events, Blackpool is known for its huge number of independently-owned Bed and Breakfasts. Here, guests will get a friendly welcome, a proper English brekkie and can be walking distance to the sights for an affordable price. B&Bs in Blackpool range from between £30 and £85 per night on average, which compared to a trip to Florida, is a fraction of the cost. Mickey Mouse may be busy Stateside, but Blackpool has plenty of characters – locals aside! 7 Blackpool in Lancashire is the perfect British beach destination and it seems like coachloads of beach-loving Brits agree Credit: Alamy 7 The UK seaside town has golden sandy beaches, a wide variety of attractions and lots of seasonal events Credit: Getty 7 Making sure my kids have less flashy, more realistic holiday memories is important to me Credit: Helen Wright 7 Here, guests will get a friendly welcome, a proper English brekkie and can be walking distance to the sights for an affordable price Credit: Helen Wright The new Gruffalo & Friends Clubhouse on the promenade is a hit with young families and those who want the adrenalin of white-knuckle thrill rides can head to the Pleasure Beach Resort – starting, of course, with The Big One, which is so tall it can be seen for miles along the seafront. Read More Manchester's £1-a-night tourist tax comes into force Nearby Blackpool Zoo is also a draw for families, with a new Big Cat enclosure opening last year. For me, it doesn't get better than a trip up to the top of the Blackpool Tower for perfect views along the coast and big dollop of nostalgia. There was no spine-tingling glass floor Skywalk when I was a kid, but just the ride up in the steel lift takes me back to being six years old, holding hands with my nan as we stepped out onto a platform 120ft in the sky . Below ground, the famous Blackpool Circus is still delighting guests and everyone wants a glimpse of the beautiful Tower Ballroom, with its sprung floor and vintage Wurlitzer organ. If you're lucky, you might catch a performance while you are there, taking you back in time to the 1930s. Blackpool has history and that's why its popularity has lasted through the generations. As I walk along the beach this time, I spot a group of pre-teens in Jelly shoes. Apparently, the iconic footwear is back in fashion again, much like Blackpool itself. Timeless.
The Sun
01-05-2025
- The Sun
I've been to Disney 50 times but one £30-a-night UK seaside town is as great for family holidays
IF you didn't grow up sat behind a gingham windbreaker with a bag of chips and a stone in your jelly shoe, you didn't spend your childhood at the great British seaside. Some of my fondest childhood memories were sat on the beach, with my mum and dad and my Nanny Eva. 7 7 Our pale limbs turning pink in the sun as we tried to hoover up a Mr Whippy 99 flake before it melted down our arms. Now, I have a family of my own and holidays are less simple and a lot more expensive. As a Disney fan, I have been to Walt Disney World in Florida over 50 times. We love the sunny weather, the rides and characters, as well as the food and experiences in the USA. However, it's a world away from my holiday memories of getting the train from London to Blackpool, usually in the October school holidays so we could see the Blackpool Illuminations. When I was growing up in the 1980s, we didn't have the money to go on holidays abroad. I was eight when my family flew on a plane for the first time. By comparison, my children are already travel veterans, navigating the airport like seasoned pros and thinking nothing of boarding a nine-hour flight to the sunshine state. However, making sure my kids have less flashy, more realistic holiday memories is important to me as someone who grew up in a working-class family. Can't beat a Brit beach In my opinion, Blackpool in Lancashire is the perfect British beach destination and it seems like coachloads of beach-loving Brits agree. The colourful city by the sea often tops the list of best beach destinations in the UK, as well as recently being dubbed the 'friendliest' in a poll by train company, LNER. Seaside theme park gets reimagined ride Blackpool attracted 6.8 million visitors to its famous Victorian promenade in July last year, with the number of holiday-makers growing every year since tourist destinations reopened after Covid. Despite the cost-of-living crisis, beach-loving Brits know Blackpool will be a budget-friendly break for families. As well as golden sandy beaches, a wide variety of attractions and lots of seasonal events, Blackpool is known for its huge number of independently-owned Bed and Breakfasts. Here, guests will get a friendly welcome, a proper English brekkie and can be walking distance to the sights for an affordable price. B&Bs in Blackpool range from between £30 and £85 per night on average, which compared to a trip to Florida, is a fraction of the cost. Mickey Mouse may be busy Stateside, but Blackpool has plenty of characters – locals aside! 7 7 7 7 The new Gruffalo & Friends Clubhouse on the promenade is a hit with young families and those who want the adrenalin of white-knuckle thrill rides can head to the Pleasure Beach Resort – starting, of course, with The Big One, which is so tall it can be seen for miles along the seafront. Nearby Blackpool Zoo is also a draw for families, with a new Big Cat enclosure opening last year. For me, it doesn't get better than a trip up to the top of the Blackpool Tower for perfect views along the coast and big dollop of nostalgia. There was no spine-tingling glass floor Skywalk when I was a kid, but just the ride up in the steel lift takes me back to being six years old, holding hands with my nan as we stepped out onto a platform 120ft in the sky. Below ground, the famous Blackpool Circus is still delighting guests and everyone wants a glimpse of the beautiful Tower Ballroom, with its sprung floor and vintage Wurlitzer organ. If you're lucky, you might catch a performance while you are there, taking you back in time to the 1930s. Blackpool has history and that's why its popularity has lasted through the generations. As I walk along the beach this time, I spot a group of pre-teens in Jelly shoes. Apparently, the iconic footwear is back in fashion again, much like Blackpool itself. Timeless.
BBC News
07-02-2025
- Entertainment
- BBC News
Memories of Royal Leamington Spa's post-war lights festival
Memories of a major lights festival that lit up a town for a decade will be brought to life at an exhibition that opens this Lights of Leamington Festival was said to rival Blackpool Illuminations between 1951 and a project to capture the memories of people who visited the event in Royal Leamington Spa's Jephson Gardens has been provides stories of rainbow-lit trees, magical animal installations, spectacular skylines, music, dancing and fireworks in the post-war era. After securing funding from the National Lottery Heritage Fund, Leamington Spa-based events company Whittle Productions held workshops and met with the community to gather personal memories."It has been a privilege to hear such an incredible array of interesting and fascinating recollections about the lights festival and know that by documenting this project it will create a legacy and become part of the town's cultural and heritage narrative," said co-director Carole Sleight. Switched On Stories – The Exhibition opens at All Saints Parish Church on Priory Terrace, Leamington Spa, on Saturday and runs until Sunday 23 February. Follow BBC Coventry & Warwickshire on BBC Sounds, Facebook, X and Instagram.
