Blackpool to be Illuminated by Team GB Olympic heroes Greg Rutherford, Luke Campbell and Beth Tweddle

Gold medal winners Greg Rutherford and Luke Campbell, along with bronze medal winner Beth Tweddle, will be flicking the switch for this year’s Blackpool Illuminations.

Real Radio, Smooth Radio and VisitBlackpool have today announced that three of Britain’s greatest athletes will light up the town when they take to the stage at the 2012 Illuminations Switch-On event on Friday August 31st.

Team GB Olympic star, Beth Tweddle said: “I’m really looking forward to turning the lights on in Blackpool at the end of the month. It is going to be an amazing night and something special as I am a local North West girl. I hope everyone can join us for what is going to be a fab evening.”

Liverpool gymnast Beth Tweddle secured a bronze medal on the uneven bars at the 2012 Olympics – making her the most decorated British gymnast in history, On ‘Super Saturday’ Greg Rutherford became the first Briton to win Olympic Gold in the long-jump since 1964 while amateur boxer Luke Campbell won Gold in the bantamweight division.

2012 marks 100 years of Blackpool Illuminations and the Switch-On is to be held on The Tower Festival Headland for the first time ever.

Real Radio, Smooth Radio and VisitBlackpool, organisers of this year’s Illuminations, are delighted to bring three of Britain’s 2012 sporting heroes to Blackpool for the town’s event of the year. They will take to the stage at the climax of an evening’s entertainment from some of the country’s most popular artists, including X Factor winning girl-band Little Mix, Lemar, Amy MacDonald, Lawson, Paloma Faith, Scouting For Girls, Noisettes, Blackpool singer-songwriter Karima Francis, boyband Loveable Rogues and girl group Vanquish.

The North West Managing Director for Real Radio and Smooth Radio, Michael McIntyre, said: “After an exciting build-up we are delighted to announce our clutch of Team GB Olympic Medal winners as the Switch –On stars for the 2012 Illuminations. What better way for Blackpool’s Illuminations to celebrate its centenary than with three of our nation’s sporting heroes. Once again Smooth Radio and Real Radio are proud to be a part of the event and to capture the excitement of the night for its 5.5 million listeners* across the UK.”

There will be a big screen erected on the promenade by Central Pier for those who do not have wristbands to enter the main arena on the night. The concert will also be broadcast live on both Real Radio and Smooth Radio’s national networks from 7pm and can be heard online at www.realradio.co.uk and www.smoothradio.co.uk

Natalie Wyatt, Managing Director of Marketing Blackpool, added: “2012 is a platinum year for Blackpool Illuminations as it is the Centenary of our world-famous Lights, so it is only fitting that some of our British Olympic heroes kick off the celebrations for us. We couldn’t be more delighted to be welcoming such an incredible group of people to officially Switch-On the Lights.

“2012 is a year which the whole of Great Britain will remember so it is wonderful that Blackpool’s historic year will also be celebrated with such inspiring people.”