Category: 2007

David Cameron’s Visits to Blackpool During His Rise to Power

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In the years leading up to the 2010 General Election, Blackpool became a regular destination for David Cameron as he sought to rebuild the Conservative Party’s fortunes and strengthen its support across the country. The resort hosted major political events and repeatedly featured in the party’s campaign strategy, making it an important backdrop to Cameron’s rise from Leader of the Opposition to Prime Minister. Oct. 3, 2007 – Winter Gardens, BLACKPOOL, ENGLAND – DAVID CAMERON MP CONSERVATIVE PARTY LEADER.GIVES FINAL ADDRESS.CONSERVATIVE PARTY CONFERENCE 2007.BLACK POOL, ENGLAND 10-03-2007.DAVE GADD- – 2007.K54905(Credit Image: © Globe Photos/ZUMAPRESS.com) Following the Conservative Party’s strong performance…

Dr Arif Rajpura Appointed Director of Public Health for Blackpool

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Few individuals have had a greater influence on public health in modern Blackpool than Dr Arif Rajpura. As the town’s Director of Public Health since 2007, he has spent nearly two decades tackling some of the most complex health and social challenges facing the resort, helping shape policies and initiatives designed to improve the lives of residents across the Fylde Coast. Originally qualifying in medicine through St Andrews University and Manchester Medical School, Dr Rajpura began his career in clinical practice before entering specialist public health training in 1999. After serving as a Consultant in Public Health in Lancashire, he…

Kelsey-Beth Crossley’s First Appearance in Emmerdale

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Kelsey-Beth Crossley (born 8 July 1992) is an actress from Fleetwood, who played the part of Scarlett Nicholls, the secret teenage daughter of deceased millionaire Tom King and Carrie Nicholls on the ITV soap opera Emmerdale. She made her first appearance in March 2007, and last appearance on 20 November 2012. Crossley was a pupil at Bispham High School Arts College in Blackpool. She was put forward for an audition in Emmerdale by Blackpool-based children’s casting agency, Scream Management, and from hundreds, she made it through to the final six, who were then invited to take part in a workshop….

Cheryl Fergison First Appears in Eastenders

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Cheryl El Jamouni (born 27 August 1965 in London), known professionally as Cheryl Fergison, is an English actress. She is known for portraying the role of Heather Trott in the BBC soap opera EastEnders, a role in which she starred in from 2007 until 2012. Fergison moved to the Fylde Coast eight years ago (2017) and now lives in Cleveleys with her husband and son. In January 2025 she told her 54.6k followers on social media that she would be singing at the opening night of Dragon Lounge, 120 Victoria Road West, Cleveleys – formerly the Great Fortune House, which…

Christine McGuinness Becomes Miss Liverpool

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Christine McGuinness, born Christine Martin on 20 March 1988 in Blackpool, is an English model, television personality, and former beauty queen. She gained recognition as a cast member on The Real Housewives of Cheshire, appearing between 2018 and 2020, and has since featured on various television programmes, including The Real Full Monty and The Games. In 2021, she took part in a BBC documentary alongside her then-husband, Paddy McGuinness, to raise awareness about autism. Her early life was marked by challenges, including sexual abuse by a family member and her father’s struggle with heroin addiction. She pursued a career in… Read more »

Fleetwood’s Jane Couch Receives MBE

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Jane Couch MBE, born on 14 August 1968 in Fleetwood, Lancashire, overcame a tumultuous youth and went on to pioneer women’s professional boxing in the United Kingdom. Expelled from school in Blackpool, Couch described her early years as marked by “a life of booze, drugs, and street fighting.” Her life took a dramatic turn at the age of 26 when she watched a television documentary about women’s boxing. Inspired, she entered the world of combat sports, beginning with a Muay Thai fight in which she defeated a policewoman—an experience she described as exhilarating. Couch became the first licensed female professional…

David Tennant Switches on the Lights

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In 2007, David Tennant came to Blackpool to switch on the Illuminations after having just won the role of Dr Who in the BBC series. Here he takes a break from filming to light up the town. That year, the lights incorporated a Doctor Who display, including monsters from the revived series. As the then star of the show, David Tennant was invited to switch on the display for the massive event on August 31st. Also present was TV personality Dale Winton, who hosted the evening, and Laurence Llewelyn-Bowen, who designed part of the display, while acts performing included Natasha Bedingfield,…

Gordon Brown pulls bid for ‘Super Casino’ in Blackpool

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Blackpool was really hoping to get a super casino to help revitalize the area and boost the local economy. In 2007, though, the British government, led by Prime Minister Gordon Brown, decided to give the license for the super casino to Manchester instead. This was part of a broader plan to set up regional casinos across the UK. The decision to choose Manchester over Blackpool stirred up controversy. Blackpool was considered a strong contender because of its history as a tourist spot and the potential benefits of a super casino for its economy, especially since the town played a key…