THE atmosphere was electric in Blackpool on Friday (September 1) as thousands of screaming fans descended on Talbot Square to cheer on Irish chart-topping boy band Westlife as they flicked the switch to light up the night sky.

More than 40,000 people came to witness the brightest show on earth and watch some of the music industry's top acts play live as part of the now-traditional Radio 2 roadshow.

Presenter Richard Allinson hosted the show, encouraging the crowds and introducing top pop acts such as classical girl band Bond and Roachford.

Elvis impersonator The King performed Nirvana's Come As You Are, albeit in Elvis-style southern drawl.

But the true stars of the show were the three main acts.

Paul Carrack, the voice of Mike and the Mechanics and Ace, performed a storming Over My Shoulder, followed by a new song dedicated to his daughter. Teenage starlet Billie Piper whirled around the stage to her hit song Day and Night and gave a sneak preview of new single Something Deep Inside.

The mighty Westlife, pictured here, then took to the stage to sing three number one hits: Fool Again, Flying Without Wings and If I Let You Go, before the crowd joined in the countdown to the switch on of Blackpool's biggest and best illuminations display ever.

Jane Seddon, head of Blackpool Borough Council's tourism department, said that more than 8,000 people were packed in to Talbot Square, with around another 35,000 milling around Blackpool's streets and promenade making it the busiest switch-on ever.

She added it all came close to disaster, with Westlife stuck in traffic on the M60 while on the way from Manchester to Blackpool.

And Nicky Byrne needed medical attention as the band left the stage. Jane said: "Nicky was suffering from flu but was determined to appear on stage. He was seen by a doctor after feeling faint but was soon back on his feet."

Speaking before they appeared on stage, members Shane Filan and Mark Feehily, said they were excited to be in Blackpool: "We're very glad to be here doing the switch-on. We haven't found a way to practice doing it at home but it should be pretty straightforward. It's good to be performing live."