Mel B Ignites Blackpool's Iconic Illuminations

Blackpool experienced a powerful dose of Girl Power as Spice Girl Mel B took center stage to kick off four months of dazzling Illuminations.

The pop icon made a nostalgic return to Blackpool’s seafront, where her career first began, lighting up the promenade at the end of an electrifying event. The show, also featured performances from Ella Henderson, former Pussycat Doll Kimberly Wyatt, and Britain’s Got Talent winner Sydnie Christmas.

Tens of thousands gathered at the Tower Festival Headland to watch Mel B join the ranks of famous faces who have had the honor of turning on the Illuminations over the years. As the switch was flipped, a million lights illuminated the six-mile-long display, followed by a burst of fireworks above The Blackpool Tower, with lasers and a projection show set to Mel’s solo track, "For Once In My Life."

Mel B, who began her career as a 16-year-old dancer in the Mystique show at Blackpool Pleasure Beach before skyrocketing to global fame with the Spice Girls as Scary Spice, was met with a wave of nostalgia. With over 100 million records sold worldwide, the Spice Girls remain the best-selling female group in history.

Earlier this year, Mel B received an honorary doctorate from Leeds Beckett University in recognition of her advocacy for domestic abuse victims and her significant global impact as a music icon. In 2022, she was also awarded an MBE for her charitable efforts.

Just before the big moment, Mel B shared with the audience: “My first ever proper job was at Blackpool Pleasure Beach as a dancer. I used to come here every year with my family to watch the lights being turned on, and now, this year, I’m the one doing it!”

The evening's festivities kicked off with performances from some of Blackpool’s brightest young talent. The Upbeat Rock Academy, which provides rock music tuition to over 300 students across the Fylde Coast, presented "Blackpool Introduces," a 90-minute showcase of local artists. They were joined by House of Wingz, an award-winning Blackpool-based hip hop dance crew that has made appearances on national television.

A two hour show entertained thousands of spectators which began with a Massaoke performance by Rockstar Weekend, a unique mass karaoke experience featuring lyrics from classic crowd-pleasing hits projected onto giant LED screens. The result was one of the biggest family singalongs Blackpool has ever seen.

Next up was Sydnie Christmas, the first female singer to win Britain’s Got Talent, who delivered a set of three songs. This marked Sydnie’s Blackpool debut ahead of her debut album, *My Way,* and the launch of her first national tour.

American-born Kimberly Wyatt then took the stage, thrilling the crowd with a high-energy DJ set packed with Noughties hits, dance tracks, and pop classics. Known for her time with The Pussycat Dolls, one of the biggest-selling girl groups of all time, Kimberly delivered an unforgettable performance.

The night’s headliner, Ella Henderson, then captivated the audience with an extended set of hits from her impressive catalog. Having joined the prestigious Brit Billion list last year, with over a billion digital streams to her name, Ella has consistently topped the charts with singles like "Ghost," "Alibi," and "Crazy What Love Can Do." In addition to her solo work, she has collaborated with renowned artists such as Sigma, David Guetta, and Becky Hill. Her latest single, "Under The Sun," with Alok and Switch Disco, was released earlier this year.

Reflecting on the evening, Councillor Lynn Williams, Leader of Blackpool Council, remarked: “This has been another extraordinary night for Blackpool. We’ve enjoyed outstanding performances from chart-topping stars and showcased the incredible talent of our local young people. Watching Mel B turn on the lights was the perfect finale. It was a joy to welcome her back to Blackpool, the place where her journey to superstardom began.”

The Blackpool Illuminations will continue to shine nightly until January 5, 2025.