GARETH IN BLACKPOOL PRIDE

[carol]

Gareth is in Blackpool Pride on Sunday
Love Carol xx

Pop stars head the bill at both Pride HQ in the Winter Gardens, as well as at fringe venue Viva.

Union J on the main stage of Blackpool Pride at the Winter Gardens
Union J on the main stage of Blackpool Pride at the Winter Gardens

The Pride parade will run along the Prom, leaving the Sandcastle at 11am on Saturday, heading to the Winter Gardens for the opening ceremony.

X Factor’s Union J and 80s singer Sonia headline the main stage at the Empress Ballroom, with RuPaul’s UK drag ambassador The Vivienne, Bonnie La Blue and Cybil Du Vaux all on stage. And Jane McDonald tops the line-up performing at the Opera House on Saturday night.

Viva’s packed Pride programme gets under way tomorrow with Cheryl, Mike and Jay, formerly of Bucks Fizz, returning to the venue.

Bucks Fizz originals Cheryl Baker, Mike Nolan and Jay Aston will bring their famous skirt-ripping routine to launch the weekend.

Gareth Gates at Viva for Blackpool Pride
Gareth Gates at Viva for Blackpool Pride
On Sunday, Pop Idol and musical theatre star Gareth Gates will take to the stage, fresh from a UK tour of the musical Footloose, with a collection of his own hits and covers.

Despite, perhaps not being as well known as Bucks Fizz or Gareth Gates, Ceri Dupree is sure to be another perfect match for Blackpool Pride and Viva.



Described as a “one man, 21 women show”, Ceri Dupree has been entertaining audiences for more than 30 years.

He has performed at venues such as Ronnie Scott’s, the Café de Paris and Soho’s world-famous Madame Jojo’s, as well as engaging corporate audiences on behalf of clients as high-profile as Versace and Virgin.

Jane McDonald plays Blackpool Opera House as part of Pride
Jane McDonald plays Blackpool Opera House as part of Pride
A spokesman said: “Rather than being a female impersonator, Ceri’s skill lies in illuminating characters as diverse as Bassey and Bjork, rather than impersonating them.

“He treads a fine line between character and caricature in an act encompassing s

[kirsty]

Hi every, so last night I went to the Blackpool gig, it was amazing. The atmosphere was buzzing the room was very Big but very well filled which was lovely to see! There was a great mixture of ages, Gareth did come down to the front of the stage to sing but there was a lot of women who have never seen him before that were alittle over excited and kept grabbing him and wanting him to cuddle them all the the time which was a shame as Gareth moved back up to the top of the stage!

As amazing as it was to see Gareth just him on his doing what he does best, unfortunately there was no new songs and the set was the same as the cleckheaton gig and no pete it wasn't the same without him! Gareth didn't seem to have a connection with the new guitarist,It was a disappointment about the set being exactly the same as the set he did over 2years ago at skipton! Only shorter! It was only really short he did about 2 25/30 min sets! It's great to hear his voice is back up to his standards and now that he knows he can do it we might get a few more gigs next year, the rest he has had with footloose had really done him well. He still gets the audience to join in for some of the higher parts but people that follow him wouldn't even notice he was doing it at certain parts of the songs.

After the show Gareth was doing a meet and greet, which you got your picture taken and printed out. Although it was very busy (a good thing for Gareth) he had bodyguards sorting the photos and queuing, they moved us on too quickly and didn't really get a chance for a chat. Just a quick picture and off! Although we did go against them and got Gareth to sign our photos. Gareth it's always so accommodating to his fans and always has the time for us, so it was a little frustrating that they were moving us on and not letting you have a chat. He did tell them a few times that it was ok, but they wouldn't let you take ur own picture whilts in there.



I was sat at a table with June and her sister and Lorraine was there with her husband. I finally got to meet the lovely viv and her daughter. We all managed to get a group photo printed with Gareth, unfortunately we only could to get two copies as they wanted us to buy any more!

But it was a great night and came away with a lovely picture! Xxx

[carol]

What a lovely report Kirsty, although I sense your disappointment at no new songs. Maybe Gareth will get time to write and perform something new later. I have had experience of bodyguards, and it can be very difficult to spend any sort of time with him and get a picture, but I m pleased you did get one in the end.

It's nice that you got to meet other Gareth fans, all with the same enthusiasm to see him.I am off to Stamford soon, there is a whole group of us, and I am really looking forward to it.
It's great to have you back on here posting, we have missed you.
Love Carol xxx