Author: Ed

Keith Marsh Lands Love Thy Neighbour Role

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Keith Marsh (1926 – 28 January 2013) was an English actor whose career spanned over five decades, during which he featured in numerous television productions. Originally from Blackpool, he is most widely recognised for his role as Jacko in the Thames Television sitcom Love Thy Neighbour (1972–76), where he became known for his signature catchphrase, “I’ll have half!” Marsh made several appearances in Coronation Street, playing a variety of roles over the years, including a foreman (1961), George Chippendale (1966), James Dawson (1972), George Marsden (1980), Harry Ashton (1988), and Uncle Mervin (1999). His television credits also included roles in… Read more »

Tim Barlow Appears with Jeff Goldblum in The Tall Guy

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Barlow was born on 18 January 1936 in Blackpool. His father, a solicitor, passed away when he was five, leaving him to be brought up by his mother. After completing his education at 18, he enlisted in the British Army, where he served for 15 years. In 1969, Barlow decided to leave the military and embark on a career in acting, encouraged by Trevor Nunn and Sir Laurence Olivier. He developed and performed a solo show reflecting on his choice to pursue acting. Prior to this, he had achieved considerable success with another one-man production, My Army, which recounted his… Read more »

Marie Lloyd Performs at the Empire Theatre

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Marie Lloyd, one of the most celebrated music hall stars of her era, was renowned for her cheeky and charismatic stage presence. She captivated audiences with her playful, double-entendre-laden performances and an ability to infuse even the simplest lyrics with charm and innuendo. Her influence on British entertainment was profound, and her enduring popularity made her a headline act across the country. Her first visit to Blackpool came in May 1896, when she was booked at the Empire Theatre—an engagement described at the time as being arranged “at enormous expense.” The Empire, however, struggled financially and later reopened as the… Read more »

Victoria Monks Appears at the Empire Theatre

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Victoria Annie Monks, born in Blackpool on 1 November 1882, was a prominent music hall singer in the early 20th century. During the Edwardian era and the First World War, she gained recognition for performing and recording popular songs such as Take Me Back to London Town and Bill Bailey, Won’t You Please Come Home? The daughter of optician Andrew Thomas Monks, she was educated in both England and Belgium. Her early performances were recorded in the Blackpool Gazette & Herald on 13 August 1897, where she was billed as “Little Victoria” at the Empire, Blackpool. She made her London debut… Read more »

Charles Dickens Relaxes at the Imperial Hotel

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Charles Dickens never cared for Preston, once calling it an unpleasant place. So, when he had a break between readings—one completed in Bolton and another scheduled in Preston two days later—he chose to spend his time in Blackpool instead. His manager, George Dolby, booked them into the Imperial Hotel for 20 and 21 April 1869, where they found the accommodation comfortable. Though intending to rest, Dickens was suffering from the strain of his Farewell Reading Tour, which had begun in October 1868 and involved 72 performances. His health was declining—his friend Edmund Yates noted he looked exhausted, while Dolby remarked… Read more »

Sugarvine Launches its Online Services to the Hospitality Trade

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Sugarvine Limited is a company specialising in services for the hospitality industry. Established in 2002 and headquartered in Blackpool, the company operates several platforms designed to support restaurants, pubs, bars, and cafes. One of its main platforms is Sugarvine.com, a comprehensive dining guide that helps users discover and book restaurants across the UK. The platform provides dining offers, event listings, and inspiration for eating out, making it a go-to resource for food lovers and hospitality businesses alike. To support restaurant operations, Sugarvine offers Sugarvinetables.com, an online table booking and management system that allows real-time reservations, table tracking, and an integrated…

Diana Ross Performs at Lytham Festival

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Diana Ross performed at the Lytham Festival on June 28, 2022, as part of her Thank You Tour, marking a highly anticipated return to the stage. As the headliner for the first night of the festival, Ross captivated thousands of fans with her signature charisma, powerhouse vocals, and an electrifying setlist featuring both classic hits and newer material. The Lytham Festival, an annual music event held on the picturesque banks of the Ribble Estuary, provided a stunning coastal backdrop for the legendary singer’s performance. The Thank You Tour was named after her 2021 studio album, Thank You, which was her first…

Caroline O’Neill Appears in Endeavour

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Caroline O’Neill, born on 13 December 1961 in Blackpool, is a British actress with an extensive career spanning television, film, and theatre. Best known for her roles in Endeavour (2012), Queer as Folk (1999), and Robin Hood (2006), she also made a lasting impression on soap audiences as Andrea Clayton in Coronation Street. Her career in television has been remarkably diverse, with appearances in over 80 different series. She has featured in Poirot, Doctors, All Creatures Great and Small, Casualty, Doc Martin, Happy Valley, Whitechapel, Holby City, The Inbetweeners, The Bill, Heartbeat, Fat Friends, EastEnders, Peak Practice, Birds of a… Read more »

Joseph-Warren Plant Joins Emmerdale

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Joe-Warren Plant, born on 12 April 2002 in Blackpool, is a British actor best known for his role as Jacob Gallagher in the ITV soap opera Emmerdale. He has played Jacob since 2010, beginning his time on the show at the age of eight. His portrayal has earned him three nominations for Best Young Performance at the British Soap Awards in 2014, 2019, and 2021. Raised in Poulton-le-Fylde with his parents, Steph and Warren Plant, he developed an early interest in acting and was enrolled at Scream Theatre School in Blackpool from the age of four. He later attended Baines… Read more »

Wayne Michaels’ Bungee Stunt in James Bond Film Goldeneye

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Wayne David Michaels, born on 22 January 1959 in Blackpool, is an English stuntman and stunt arranger known for his work in film and television. He attended Millfield School from 1972 to 1977 and has been married to fellow stunt performer Tracey Eddon since 1990, with whom he has one child. He is best known for performing the iconic bungee jump in the opening sequence of the James Bond film GoldenEye. The 220-metre jump, filmed at the Verzasca Dam in Switzerland, was voted the best movie stunt of all time in 2002 and set a record for the highest bungee… Read more »