Tim Burton to turn on the Blackpool illuminations

That's a headline we didn't expect to be writing today. 

Hollywood director, producer and fancier of the gothic Tim Burton will switch on Blackpool's illuminations on 4 September, on the iconic Tower Festival Headland.

The link between the seaside haunt and Edward Scissorshands director isn't as obscure as it might first appear: Burton has filmed two projects on the iconic sea front - choosing the location for The Killers' music video Here with Me back in 2012 and, more recently, using the resort for Miss Peregrine’s Home for Peculiar Children, due out next year.

The Hollywood-tinged switch-on was announced Blackpool Council, who claim that Burton has described himself as "Blackpool Pleasure Beach’s biggest fan".

Burton's illuminating moment, expected to take place in front of a crowd of 20,000, will kick off a weekend of festivities dubbed the Blackpool iFest: CBBC will broadcast a Saturday morning show from the resort, while Pat Sharp will host, "a night of vintage music headlined by Bananarama" on the Saturday night. Al Murray will round off the weekend with an evening of comedy on the Sunday.

A small number of tickets are still available to watch the illuminations being switched on, along with access to the rest of the weekend's events for £30. 

What next, Beyoncé to open up a new Sainsbury's in Kidderminster? 

(Images: Rex)