Kay's dismay at Blackpool backtrack

Peter Kay was dumped as the celebrity turning on the Blackpool illuminations on Friday – in favour of Dale Winton.

It was initially announced the comic would be flicking the switch alongside the National Lottery host, but tourism bosses ‘backtracked’ to say Kay would only be making a personal appearance.

But Kay made light of his dismay at the ceremony.

After entertaining the 25,000 crowd with his garlic bread routine and commenting on the ‘spitting’ rain, he said: ‘I couldn't believe it - double-booked with bloody Dale Winton. I was devastated.’

He told the crowd how he had been lined up to throw the switch on Wednesday, but then on Thursday he was told that he was not doing it.

‘Can you believe it?, he said. ‘I'm missing a Taggart marathon and a 40th birthday Indian meal in Bolton for this.’

But after his five-minute routine, Kay tried to harness his untouchable audience rapport to persuade organisers to let him throw the switch.

He implored the crowd to cheer him back on stage for the turn-on, saying: ‘I'm done after this, I'm going.

‘If you want, I'll stay and help push Dale's button, it's up to you. Or I can go home and watch the end of Taggart.’

But Winton turned on the £3million, six-mile display alone. He said: ‘Isn't Blackpool fabulous? I love it. I'm having a great evening.’

It’s thought Winton did the honours because he works for Radio 2, which broadcast the ceremony live, whereas Kay is not a BBC star.

 A spokesman for the event admitted there had been some ‘confusion’ over who was to flick the switch. ‘There was some ambiguity about who was actually doing the switch-on.

‘It was always Dale Winton doing the switch-on with a special appearance by Peter Kay.’

Jane Seddon, director of Blackpool Tourism, said: ‘It has become a fixation as to who is switching the switch rather than what they are doing. I am fed up with having to defend who is appearing

Published: 3 Sep 2006