Carlisle Christmas Lights Switch-On

Celebrity acts and local performers to take centre stage

International popstar Simon Webbe, best known as a member of the British boy band Blue, will headline this year’s Carlisle Christmas Lights Switch-On event.

The sparkling spectacular will be held between 3pm and 5.30pm on Sunday 20 November.

Twist and Pulse of ITV’s Britain’s Got Talent fame will also feature in this year’s packed programme, hosted by ITV Britain’s Got Talent Jonny Awsum.

Simon Webbe said:

“I have always enjoyed performing in Carlisle and I can’t wait to come back and see everyone there. No matter what the weather is going to be like (maybe even a bit of snow) we will all have a great time, and I can’t wait.”

Twist and Pulse added:

“We are super excited to play this show, we always love being in Carlisle and who doesn’t love Christmas so to be asked to perform and help switch the lights on is a real privilege.”

The Christmas Lights Switch-On event will also be a showcase of local community groups and performers including Carlisle Dance Academy, Rocket Theatre School, Belle Vue School choir and Jordyn Louise Dance.

The star-studded Christmas Lights Switch On stage will be in place in the city centre pedestrianised area, outside the Old Town Hall. Organised by Carlisle City Council, it will provide a packed family entertainment programme, to suit all ages.

The Mayor of Carlisle, Cllr Mike Mitchelson will trigger a galaxy of Christmas lights in the city centre at 5pm. The Christmas Lights Switch On is part of Carlisle’s countdown to Christmas.

Leader of Carlisle City Council, Cllr John Mallinson, said:

“The Christmas Lights Switch On is another great Carlisle City Council event and is a showcase for celebrity performers and local talent. The free event is set to be another great event.”

Visit www.discovercarlisle.co.uk for festive events information.

Simon Webbe is a singer, DJ, songwriter and actor who was born in Manchester.

He is perhaps best known as a member of the British boy band Blue selling over 16 million album worldwide, over 40 worldwide number one hits, 2 Brit Award winners and over 3 million albums during his solo career.

In his early teens Simon’s first love was football with his heart set on becoming a professional footballer.

He was signed to the Port Vale “School of Excellence” for four years from the age 14 and his playing skills were scouted by both Liverpool and Aston Villa. But disaster struck at the age of 17 when Simon suffered a torn ligament during a match and this injury preventing him from ever playing professionally.

Because of this his attention turned to the entertainment industry and he began writing songs and auditioning as a singer and rapper for various bands. In 1998 Simon was spotted by a model scout and put forward for Pride Magazine’s “Face of the Year” competition. So, at the age of 19 Simon’s good looks and distinctive features won the competition and a modelling contract.

But although he could pursue a modelling career Simon still wanted to be a singer and performer, continuing to audition until he met Duncan James, Lee Ryan and Antony Costa. So Blue was formed, and an incredible rollercoaster of success began.

His first single after Blue disbanded was Lay Your Hands which was released in 2005 and reached # 4 in the UK Singles Chart. No Worries also reached # 4 in November making him the only Blue member to have two top 10 singles.

Film credits: The Truth About Love appearing alongside Jennifer love Hewitt and Dougray Scott, and gangster movie, Rollin’ With The Nines.

In 2008 Simon went into the Australian jungle in I’m a Celebrity…Get Me out of Here!

He made his Musical Theatre debut in 2010 playing the role of Curtis Shank in Sister Act alongside Whoopi Goldberg at the London Palladium, during his run Simon played alongside Sheila Hancock and Whoopi Goldberg.

In 2011 Blue represented the United Kingdom at the Eurovision Song Contest in Germany and later that year saw Simon taking part in the Christmas Strictly Come Dancing Special which led to him being a contestant the following year in the twelfth series of the show.

2014 saw Simon reach the finals of BBC’S Strictly Come Dancing with his dance partner Kristina Rihanoff.

Simon can be seen performing and DJ’ing regularly up and down the country at some of the most prestigious events, Simon has just completed his 4th studio album.

Twist and Pulse

Born and bred South Londoners, Ashley Glazebrook and Glen Murphy, met at the renowned ‘Brit School of Performing Arts. Through a joint love of dance, they have quickly become role models for young people around the UK.

As their alter egos, Twist (Ash) and Pulse (Glen), they quickly shot to fame on one of the most watched TV shows in the UK. They achieved 2^nd place on ITV’s ‘Britain’s Got Talent’ and more recently took the title of ‘CHAMPION OF CHAMPIONS’ in the latest series ‘Britain’s Got Talent – The Champions’ where they faced off against winners from the series as well as others from got talent franchises across the world!

They flew through their heat after receiving the GOLDEN BUZZER from Alesha Dixon in a jaw dropping moment and then taking 1st place in the final. Once again managing to win over both the public and Simon Cowell and his formidable team, with their talent and charm!

Their journey since ‘BGT’ has been a whirlwind! Not content with just winning over the UK, they have performed worldwide including taking the role of celebrity judges on Chinas biggest streetdance TV show on CCTV5 with a viewership of 400,000,000 people!

Fast gaining attention as sought after creatives, In 2018, they won the ‘BEST Choreography” award at the coveted ‘Great British Pantomime Awards’. Brand ‘Twist and Pulse’ is ascending.

Other highlights and appearances have included: Olympic torch relay bearers, Ambassadors of the official princes trust charity “The Diana Award”, Presented and opened the children’s BAFTAs. Achieved a Guinness world record for the most amount of synchronised dance moves in 30 seconds (148 Moves!!!) AND Most recently they have taken the internet by storm by producing their own short films and viral dance videos. Their total YouTube views have hit over 90 million!

Their online success has accumulated them a huge following as well as leading them to choreograph and create work for some of the biggest brands in the world including: Samsung – Cadburys – Warner bros – Lionsgate – DC Comics – Mars – Kelloggs – EE – Canon – McDonalds – Lego – Sky One – Red Bull – Sennheiser and more!

Jonny Awsum is an award-winning comedian who has charmed audiences all around the world with his high energy performance style and unique brand of musical comedy.

After building his reputation on the UK comedy circuit, where he is a regular headliner and closing act, Jonny shot to national fame on Britain’s Got Talent. His TV performances won standing ovations and unanimous praise from the judges and went viral on the internet, racking up over 50 million views on YouTube.

Following BGT, Jonny enjoyed a whirlwind 18 months including a sell-out five-star reviewed run at the Edinburgh Fringe, a starring role in his first pantomime, and tour support to both Lost Voice Guy and Tape Face on their hit UK theatre tours.  In 2022 Jonny performed at Glastonbury, supported Jason Manford on tour in arenas and played his 2000th show.