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Olly Murs is heading to the beautiful Yorkshire coast as part of his massive 2017 summer UK tour.

The chart-topping singer – one of British music’s biggest stars – will play Scarborough Open Air Theatre on Sunday July 9.

Tickets for the concert go on sale at 9am on Friday December 2.

Olly joins music legends Cliff Richard and The Beach Boys among the headliners at Scarborough OAT in 2017 in what is shaping up to be a sensational summer line-up at Europe’s largest open air theatre.

2016 has been another incredible year for Olly which has seen him celebrate not only his fourth successive No.1 Album 24 HRS but also becoming the most successful solo artist ever to come from the X Factor.

New single Years and Years is the new album’s centre piece; an expansive, explosive, spine-tingling belter and follows the radio favourites You Don’t Know Love and Grow Up which Olly recently performed on the X Factor.

Olly’s Scarborough OAT concert is presented by promoters Cuffe and Taylor whose Director Peter Taylor said: “Olly Murs is one of the biggest stars in British music today and we are delighted to be bringing him to Scarborough OAT in 2017.

“He has sold more than 10 million records and played sold out shows across the UK so this is certainly going to be a night to remember.

“Tickets for this date will not last long so I would advise fans to get in there early to secure their place at one of the gigs of the summer.”

Since Olly shot to fame in 2009, he has recorded four multi-platinum albums, produced four Number 1 singles with total record sales exceeding 10 million. 24 HRS is the follow up to the acclaimed million selling Never Been Better.

Olly’s 20-date summer 2017 UK outdoor tour will be his biggest headline shows to date.

Tickets for Olly Murs at Scarborough OAT go on sale at 9am Friday December 2 from www.ticketmaster.co.uk or www.scarboroughopenairtheatre.com  or in person from the Scarborough Open Air Theatre Box Office.

Concert promoters Cuffe and Taylor aim to increase the number of live music events at Scarborough Open Air Theatre in 2017 – a move that could boost the resort’s tourist economy by £5m.

The UK-wide promoters, who are entering the second year of a five-year exclusive deal to programme all live music events at Europe’s largest open air theatre, are planning to schedule 18 concerts in 2017 compared to the 10 hosted in 2016.

A planning application has now been submitted by venue owner Scarborough Borough Council which will be presented to its Planning Committee for a decision in early 2017.

The theatre currently has permission to hold up to 12 major concerts or events each year. If the application to allow more concerts/events is approved, it would make 2017 the biggest summer line-up in Scarborough OAT’s history.

More than 50,000 people attended Cuffe and Taylor concerts at Scarborough OAT in 2016.

If plans are approved around 108,000 tickets will go on sale across the 18-planned events for 2017. And with more than 40% of gig goers to Scarborough OAT expected to come from outside the YO postcode area, as they did in 2016, it is estimated the boost to the local tourism economy could be in the region of £5m.

Music legends CLIFF RICHARD and THE BEACH BOYS have already been confirmed to appear in 2017, with more acts set to be announced in the coming weeks.

Peter Taylor, director of Cuffe and Taylor, said: “This summer’s shows at Scarborough OAT, with the likes of Noel Gallagher’s High Flying Birds, Bryan Adams, Simply Red and James Bay all playing to sell-out audiences, were fantastic events.

“We want to make 2017 even bigger and better and we would love to be able to extend the number of shows.

“Scarborough OAT is such a wonderful venue, and the Yorkshire crowds love live music so it makes perfect sense to aim high and look to extend the number of acts.

“Not only would this be great for local concert goers but also the tourist economy as these shows would attract thousands of extra visitors to Scarborough and the beautiful Yorkshire coast.

“We have already announced Cliff Richard will appear as part of his nationwide tour and we were, this week, delighted to reveal The Beach Boys will also be at Scarborough OAT in 2017. We cannot wait to announce more internationally renowned stars to join them.”

The Beach Boys will play Scarborough OAT on Wednesday May 24 followed by Cliff Richard on Thursday June 29.

Tickets for The Beach Boys at Scarborough OAT go on sale at 9am Friday November 25^th from www.scarboroughopenairtheatre.com  or via Scarborough Tourism Bureau on 01723 383636. Tickets are also available from www.ticketmaster.co.uk

Music legends THE BEACH BOYS are set to bring Fun Fun Fun to the Yorkshire coast in 2017 as they headline a night at Scarborough Open Air Theatre.

In a hit-packed career spanning more than 50 years, California’s favourite sons have sold more than 100 million records worldwide and are rightly regarded as one of the most critically acclaimed and influential bands of all time.

And it is today announced The Beach Boys will headline Scarborough OAT – Europe’s largest open air theatre – on Wednesday May 24^th  2017.

Tickets for the show go on general sale at 9am Friday November 25^th and are available from www.scarboroughopenairtheatre.com  or www.ticketmaster.co.uk

Announcing the Scarborough show, The Beach Boys’ Mike Love, said: “It’s great that 50 years plus we’re still in a position to be touring and sharing our music with fans around the world.

“We’re really looking forward to performing outdoors on the beautiful Yorkshire coast in Scarborough. It’s going to be a great night!”

Formed in 1961 in Hawthorne, California, The Beach Boys have scored more than 80 worldwide chart hits – 36 of them US Top 40 hits with four topping the Billboard Hot 100.

Classics such as I Get Around, Sloop John B, Wouldn’t It Be Nice, God Only Knows, Surfin’ USA, Fun, Fun, Fun and the Grammy nominated Good Vibrations have multi-generational appeal and few, if any, acts can match The Beach Boys’ concert presence, spirit and performance.

Led by co-founder, principal lyricist and recently New York Times best-selling author Mike Love and Bruce Johnston, who along with Jeffrey Foskett, Brian Eichenburger, Tim Bonhomme, John Cowsill and Scott Totten continue the legacy of the iconic American band.

The gig is presented by promoters Cuffe and Taylor who brought Noel Gallagher, James Bay, Simply Red and Bryan Adams to Scarborough OAT in 2016 and, earlier this month, announced Sir Cliff Richard will headline the Yorkshire venue on June 29^th, 2017.

Cuffe and Taylor Director Peter Taylor said: “The Beach Boys are legends – one of the biggest bands of all time – and we are delighted to be bringing them to Scarborough Open Air Theatre in 2017.

“They have written some of the biggest classic pop songs of the last six decades and we feel their infectious and instantly recognisable set list is so fitting for a seaside resort.

“This really is going to be a night of Fun, Fun, Fun in the Scarborough sun and we cannot wait for May 24^th.”

Tickets for The Beach Boys at Scarborough OAT go on sale at 9am Friday November 25^th from www.scarboroughopenairtheatre.com  or in person from the Scarborough Open Air Theatre Box Office. Tickets are also available from www.ticketmaster.co.uk

The beautiful Fylde coast is set to cast a Loving Spell over the nation after taking a starring role in the new pop video by AJ Brown.

The singer songwriter’s stunning new single LOVING SPELL is released on Friday November 25 and is accompanied by a video shot entirely on the Lancashire coast.

Locations including Lytham Hall, the sand dunes at St Annes and a breath-taking finale in the sea off Fleetwood and Knott End provide the perfect backdrop for AJ’s haunting and mesmerising song.

AJ said: “I love the song, I feel it’s right up there with my best work and I cannot wait for people to hear it.

“The video is really atmospheric, it captures the mood and tone of the track beautifully. It was a lot of fun to shoot and to have the beautiful Fylde coast, where I’ve performed many times, as the backdrop was perfect.

“There is one scene where I have to fall backwards, fully clothed  into the sea and believe me it really was a cold as it looks, but the end result was stunning.”

Loving Spell was co-written with Julian Hinton and Graham Archer who have worked with global stars Sam Smith, Seal and John Legend.

The video, which stars Yorkshire-born AJ and Lancashire actress Rebecca Eastham from Leyland, was directed by Giles Ward and shot by Bobby Pook and is available to watch now on YouTube – https://youtu.be/bfYGs76tIXI

AJ, who is represented by Fylde-based music management and event company Cuffe and Taylor, has recently supported Sir Tom Jones, Burt Bacharach, Rebecca Fergusson, Marti Pellow, Will Young, Collabro, Simply Red and Jools Holland.

His dazzling live performances have created a buzz in the industry and have provided AJ with a platform to collaborate with some of the hottest producers in the UK.

AJ will embark on a promotional tour of the UK over the coming months, with an album announcement due in 2017.

Cuffe and Taylor director Peter Taylor said: “Over the last two years AJ has not only performed alongside some of the biggest names in music, but established himself as one of the real acts to watch.

“Loving Spell is a stunning song and has already created a huge buzz on social media and in the industry after we premiered the track a few weeks ago.

“We predict 2017 is going to be a massive year for AJ Brown.”

LOVING SPELL is released by Brown Bear Records on Friday November 25. It is available to pre-order now from iTunes and Amazon.

Get your Baggy Trousers on and head to the House of Fun as Madness musical OUR HOUSE is coming to Blackpool Opera House in 2017.

Starring Blackpool’s very own Linda Nolan, the Olivier Award-winning show will run at the Opera House from Monday 9 to Saturday 14 October.

Tickets priced form £15 go on sale at 10am Friday November 18 and are available from www.wintergardensblackpool.co.uk

OUR HOUSE will be produced by Immersion Theatre Company and Damien Tracey Productions and features the music of ska music pioneers Madness.

On the night of his 16^th birthday, Joe Casey takes the girl of his dreams, Sarah, out on their first date. In an effort to impress her with bravado, Joe breaks into a building site overlooking his home on Casey Street. When the police turn up, a split-second decision forces him to choose between himself and his heart as the story splits in two: one which sees Joe stay to face the music, and the other which sees him flee and leave Sarah to run from the police. As two very different paths unfold before him, the consequences of that choice will change his life forever.

Tim Firth, the writer of smash hits Calendar Girls, Kinky Boots and OUR HOUSE, said: “Madness are unique in that they wrote songs about home and hearth, about growing up, never growing up, having and not having, rising and falling.

“They came from London but they spoke to every corner of the nation, and they certainly spoke to me, growing up in the North West. All this they did undercover of songs that fooled you into thinking they were just catchy, danceable and funny. This quality is for me at the heart of what musical theatre should aim to be.

“In a sense, Madness started writing a musical 25 years ago. It was colourful, truthful, vibrant, witty and universal. It was just up to me to find it.”

Speaking about her role Linda Nolan said: “I couldn’t be happier about playing Kath Casey in OUR HOUSE. I’ve always loved Madness’s music. It spreads warmth throughout the soul, and finds joy in the everyday and ordinary. It’s a perfect partner to Tim’s wonderfully madcap story of love and locals.”

No stranger to the stage, actress and singer Linda has starred as Mrs Johnstone in the award winning musical Blood Brothers both on tour in the UK and in London’s West End. In addition to enjoying worldwide success with her sisters in the family act, The Nolans, Linda and the group toured the UK and Ireland in 2015 with their I’m In The Mood Again tour, and performed on BBC’s Children In Need.

OUR HOUSE was first staged at the Cambridge Theatre in London’s West End from October 2002 to August 2003 and won the 2003 Laurence Olivier Award for Best New Musical. This tour will be directed by Immersion Theatre’s James Tobias and choreographed by the resident choreographer of Matilda The Musical, Fabian Aloise.

British champion boxer Scott Cardle swapped the glitz and glamour of Monte Carlo for a night sleeping rough under the stars.

But before you think the reigning Lightweight Champion has fallen on hard times it was all in the name of charity.

Scott took part in the annual Glasgow Sleep Out at Celtic Park stadium in aid of the Celtic FC Foundation.

The undefeated champion, his girlfriend Carlie Firth and father Joe joined 100 other hardy souls as they huddled together in freezing temperatures to raise money for the Foundation’s Christmas Appeal which helps the homeless and local families who face poverty and hardship.

Scott had been due to fly out to Monte Carlo to watch his good friend Stephen Smith fight for a world title, but opted to stay in the UK to help a charity that is very close to his heart.

Scott said: “It was really hard work, a very cold eight hours but I’m so glad I did it. The Foundation was looking to raise more than £60,000 on the on the night through sponsorship to help homeless people.

“I would be lying if I didn’t say there was the odd moment when I thought to myself I could have been sunning myself in Monte Carlo, but I am delighted myself, Carlie and my dad were able to do our bit for such a wonderful cause.”

Although born and bred in Lytham, near Blackpool, Scott’s family hails from Scotland and Glasgow is a second home for the Celtic-obsessed boxer who has fervent support north of the border. Last month he defended his British title at Glasgow’s SSE Arena with a stoppage win over Kevin Hooper.

Scott, Carlie and Joe’s efforts during Sunday’s Sleep Out saw the three of them raise more than £1,000.

Scott, 27, added: “I want to thank all those people here on the Fylde coast who sponsored the three of us. This money raised will make a difference to people’s lives.

“I am so glad we could do our bit… and think we’ve just about thawed out now!”

A spokesman for the Celtic Foundation said: “Celtic FC Foundation would like to thank each and every participant for their phenomenal efforts and all of those who supported them along the way. You have made a genuine difference to the lives of the most vulnerable in our community.

“The 100 participants have already raised a magnificent total in the region of £65,000. All funds raised will support our 2016 Christmas Appeal and is one of a series of fundraising initiatives for this year’s Appeal.

To celebrate the release of his incredible new album “Just…Fabulous Rock ‘n’ Roll“, the UK’s most successful hit-maker, Cliff Richard, will be heading out on a summer tour.

The tour visits the UK’s most beautiful castles and historic locations in 2017 for a series of fully seated outdoor concerts in fabulous intimate arenas, built especially for Cliff Richard and his fans.

Tickets will go on general sale on Monday 14^th November from www.livenation.co.uk

Cliff has returned to his roots to record an album of his favourite songs from the golden era of rock ‘n’ roll. These include Cliff’s renditions of seminal tracks such as Roll Over Beethoven, Great Balls of Fire, Sweet Little Sixteen and his very own debut single, Move It.

The album also features a duet with fellow idol Elvis Presley on Blue Suede Shoes. This has been a career long dream of Cliff’s, which now becomes reality. The new release follows the huge success of his last studio album, ‘The Fabulous Rock ‘n’ Roll Songbook’ in 2013, and the celebratory ’75 at 75 – 75 Career Spanning Hits’ in 2015.

Cliff released his debut single Move It in August 1958. It is credited with being the first British rock ‘n’ roll hit, bringing what had previously been an American genre across the Atlantic, for the first time. ‘Just… Fabulous Rock ‘n’ Roll’ will, astonishingly, be his 102^nd album.

The ‘Just Fabulous Rock ‘n’ Roll Tour’ will stop by the following UK venues through June and July 2017:

SIR CLIFF RICHARD JUST FABULOUS ROCK ‘n’ ROLL UK 2017 TOUR

JUNE

Saturday 17^th               Eastnor Castle, Herefordshire

Sunday 18^th                  Stansted Park, Hampshire

Wednesday 21^st           Walcot Hall, Shropshire

Thursday 22^nd              Catton Hall, Derbyshire

Saturday 24^th                Lincoln Castle, Lincolnshire

Sunday 25^th                  Euston Hall, Suffolk

Wednesday 28^th           Harewood House, Leeds

Thursday 29th             Open Air Theatre, Scarborough

JULY

 Saturday 1^st                  Old Royal Naval College, Greenwich London

Sunday 2^nd                   Old Royal Naval College, Greenwich London

Get your Baggy Trousers on and head to the House of Fun as Madness musical OUR HOUSE is coming to Blackpool Opera House in 2017.

Starring Blackpool’s very own Linda Nolan, the Olivier Award-winning show will run at the Opera House from Monday 9 to Saturday 14 October.

Tickets priced form £15 go on sale at 10am Friday November 18 and are available from www.wintergardensblackpool.co.uk

OUR HOUSE will be produced by Immersion Theatre Company and Damien Tracey Productions and features the music of ska music pioneers Madness.

On the night of his 16^th birthday, Joe Casey takes the girl of his dreams, Sarah, out on their first date. In an effort to impress her with bravado, Joe breaks into a building site overlooking his home on Casey Street. When the police turn up, a split-second decision forces him to choose between himself and his heart as the story splits in two: one which sees Joe stay to face the music, and the other which sees him flee and leave Sarah to run from the police. As two very different paths unfold before him, the consequences of that choice will change his life forever.

Tim Firth, the writer of smash hits Calendar Girls, Kinky Boots and OUR HOUSE, said: “Madness are unique in that they wrote songs about home and hearth, about growing up, never growing up, having and not having, rising and falling.

 “They came from London but they spoke to every corner of the nation, and they certainly spoke to me, growing up in the North West. All this they did undercover of songs that fooled you into thinking they were just catchy, danceable and funny. This quality is for me at the heart of what musical theatre should aim to be.

 “In a sense, Madness started writing a musical 25 years ago. It was colourful, truthful, vibrant, witty and universal. It was just up to me to find it.”

 Speaking about her role Linda Nolan said: “I couldn’t be happier about playing Kath Casey in OUR HOUSE. I’ve always loved Madness’s music. It spreads warmth throughout the soul, and finds joy in the everyday and ordinary. It’s a perfect partner to Tim’s wonderfully madcap story of love and locals.”

No stranger to the stage, actress and singer Linda has starred as Mrs Johnstone in the award winning musical Blood Brothers both on tour in the UK and in London’s West End. In addition to enjoying worldwide success with her sisters in the family act, The Nolans, Linda and the group toured the UK and Ireland in 2015 with their I’m In The Mood Again tour, and performed on BBC’s Children In Need.

OUR HOUSE was first staged at the Cambridge Theatre in London’s West End from October 2002 to August 2003 and won the 2003 Laurence Olivier Award for Best New Musical. This tour will be directed by Immersion Theatre’s James Tobias and choreographed by the resident choreographer of Matilda The Musical, Fabian Aloise.

Blackpool Winter Gardens has been named Lancashire’s best conference venue for the third time at the county’s Tourism Awards.

The Winter Gardens team was presented with the title as Lancashire’s tourism stars were recognised at Marketing Lancashire’s annual awards evening at Blackburn Cathedral – the county’s foremost celebration of tourism excellence.

The Winter Gardens will now represent Lancashire at the national VisitEngland Awards for Excellence 2016.

Conferences and events at the Winter Gardens in 2016 generated an estimated £32 million revenue for the local economy with many thousands of delegates and visitors staying overnight at resort hotels.

Michael Williams, managing director of the Winter Gardens, said: “This award is wonderful recognition for the whole Winter Gardens team who put in so much hard work and dedication to make this fantastic venue such a popular one with the organisers of large events and conferences.

“We have some of the most wonderful and historic facilities available anywhere in the UK and this is the reason why so many organisations want to host their events in Blackpool.

“Millions of pounds have been invested in the careful restoration and modernisation of our conference and event offering which bodes very well for the future and to receive this recognition is fantastic.

“We look forward to now representing Blackpool and Lancashire on the national stage once again and continuing to hosting first class conferences and events in 2017.”

Among the events to have been hosted at the Winter Gardens in 2016 have been the European Dance Championship, Junior Dance Festival, USDAW annual conference, National Federation of Young Farmers’ Clubs convention, the National Pensioners Convention’s Pensioner’s Parliament, the International Soul Festival, the PDC World Matchplay, Rebellion (Punk Festival), 65th Annual Blackpool Magic Convention and The British Homing World Show of the Year

Ruth Connor, Chief Executive of Marketing Lancashire, said: “A thriving visitor economy makes such a difference to a place. The Lancashire visitor economy is worth £3.8 billion annually and continues to grow year after year. I believe we have the people, the products and above all else the right attitude to get this county noticed and appreciated. We must be very proud of the many outstanding people and individuals here at these awards, that represent the best of what Lancashire tourism has to offer.”

It’s time to dig out your drainpipes and Bobby socks as West End sell-out sensation DREAMBOATS AND PETTICOATS is heading to Blackpool Winter Gardens in 2017.

Inspired by the smash hit multi-million selling albums Dreamboats and Petticoats One, Two, Three, Four and Five, DREAMBOATS AND PETTICOATS The Musical will run at Blackpool Opera House from Monday 24 to Saturday April 30.

Tickets priced from £17 go on sale at 10am Friday November 11 and are available from www.wintergardensblackpool.co.uk

Produced by Bill Kenwright, the hit musical features some of the greatest songs of the Rock ‘n’ Roll era including classic tracks from Roy Orbison, The Shadows, Eddie Cochran, Billy Fury and many more.

In 1961 emotions run high as young musicians Norman and Bobby compete to win a national song writing competition – and, more importantly, the attention of the gorgeous Sue! But when Bobby discovers that shy Laura is no slouch on the piano, love and rock ‘n’ roll fame beckons.

Winter Gardens Managing Director Michael Williams said: “Dreamboats and Petticoats is a fantastic show to welcome to the Winter Gardens next year.

“This is one of the ultimate feel-good shows and is guaranteed to get audiences up on their feet and dancing in the aisles.

“This may be the music of the 50s and 60s but Dreamboats has a wide appeal and whether you want to reminisce about a bygone era or you are hearing this music for the first time, you are certain of having a great time.”

The announcement DREAMBOATS AND PETTICOATS THE MUSICAL is to come to Blackpool Winter Gardens next year follows previous announcements for 2017 which will see Sister Act, Hairspray, La Cage Aux Folles, The Wedding Singer, Wonderland and Cirque Berserk among the shows at the historic venue. Smash hit musical Dirty Dancing: The Classic Story on Stage will also return for a week following a successful three-week run at the theatre this summer.

DREAMBOATS AND PETTICOATS The Musical features a string of hits from the 50s and 60s including Let’s Dance, To Know Him Is To Love Him, Shaking All Over, Bobby’s Girl, Little Town Flirt, Only Sixteen, Runaround Sue, Happy Birthday Sweet 16, Let It Be Me, Great Pretender, C’mon Everybody and Let’s Twist Again.

For more information and to buy tickets go to www.wintergardensblackpool.co.uk