Latest news with #LouisaJohnson


BBC News
6 hours ago
- Entertainment
- BBC News
Olly Murs to switch on Blackpool Illuminations
Singer Olly Murs is to switch on this year's Blackpool 41, said he was "buzzing" to be the headline performer for the Illuminations Switch-On event on the evening of Friday 29 will also be joined by X-Factor winner Louisa Johnson for the free show where people enter a ballot for the 24,000 tickets for the event on the promenade near Blackpool will follow in the footsteps of a Canberra Bomber, the Grand National-winning racehorse Red Rum, and muppet Kermit The Frog. "I haven't performed there since 2011, so it's about time. It'll be an incredible night," Murs leader Lynne Williams added: "The Switch-On event is one of the highlights of Blackpool's calendar, it's an event of celebration for our residents and brings together our local community and visitors from far and wide." Last year's Illuminations were switched by Spice Girl Mel Illuminations started in 1879 with eight carbon arc lamps, but grew into six miles (9.5km) of immersive light and art displays, "blending tradition and modern technology".Switch-on ceremonies date back to 1934, when the 17th Earl of Derby did the honours. Among people who have switched them on are the US and Soviet ambassadors jointly in the 1950s, gothic horror director Tim Burton in 2015, and "Coronavirus heroes" from the NHS in 2020. Listen to the best of BBC Radio Lancashire on Sounds and follow BBC Lancashire on Facebook, X and Instagram. You can also send story ideas via Whatsapp to 0808 100 2230.


Daily Mail
10-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
Former X Factor winner Louisa Johnson displays her toned figure in a skimpy crochet bikini as she soaks up the sun in Ibiza
Former X Factor winner Louisa Johnson displayed her toned figure in a crochet bikini as she soaked up the sun in Ibiza. The singer, 27, who won the twelfth series of the ITV talent show in 2015 aged just 17, was seen cooling off with a swim on the Balearic island on Wednesday. Louisa was glowing as she strolled down the beach wearing a tiny triangle cream crocheted two-piece, featuring sea shell appliques. She enjoyed a dip in the sea to get a break from the Ibiza heat while holidaying with friends. Taking to her Instagram Story on Thursday, Louis gave her fans some insight into her trip with a playful snap. Louisa was seen hanging from a tree like a monkey in her tiny bikini as she captioned the snap with a heart hands emoji. Despite winning The X Factor, Louisa spoke out in 2021 about how she battled depression, panic attacks and PTSD which left her contemplating suicide in the years after. Louisa said she found herself in 'a dark place' and 'fed up' as she battled to cope with her newfound fame. The star also criticised the ITV show, which was axed earlier this year - and claimed it 'provided no support' for contestants' mental health as they shot to fame. Louisa said she had been forced to enter rehab when she considered suicide as she marked her 23rd birthday in January. She spent two months in rehab being treated for trauma, depression and anxiety. She told The Sun: 'I woke up and just didn't want to be here any more. I was so fed up, I was done. I wanted someone to shake me. The unhappiness was like an annoying gnat that wouldn't go away — it kept nagging at me, bugging me. 'I thought about taking my own life. But it was an idea rather than, 'This is it, I'm doing it'. The star added that she had a 'ball of fire' within her and knew she would never take her own life, but that didn't her stop her thinking about it. Louisa said she didn't believe the show was the only reason for her mental health issues but said professional support would have been welcomed. She said: 'We had no support from the show for our mental health and no one sat me down and talked to me about what life would be like.' Louisa added that she wouldn't change anything about her time on the show and while it would have been 'great' to have therapy, she believes she wouldn't have taken up the offer because she 'wasn't ready.' An X Factor spokesman told MailOnline at the time: 'Duty of care to our contestants is of the utmost importance to us. We take welfare very seriously and have measures in place to ensure that they are supported.' The star said she became 'really depressed' after winning the show in December 2015 as she struggled to adjust to normal life after her win. She became 'disassociated and numb' and unable to care about anything, before starting to experience panic attacks. Louisa parted ways with X Factor mogul Simon Cowell's Syco label in 2018. Louisa debuted in the charts with her pop track Forever Young in 2015, which managed to chart at number nine in the charts on Christmas Eve. She reached number five in the UK charts with dance hit Tears in 2016 which was a collaboration with Clean Bandit and by far her most successful track. In 2019 she began having therapy and was diagnosed with trauma due to 'a series of events' that happened over her lifetime. If you have been affected by this story, you can call the Samaritans on 116 123 or visit
Yahoo
05-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Pride event goes ahead despite funding concerns
A Pride event has gone ahead despite previous concerns it would have to be cancelled because organisers had failed to raise enough money. Previous Worthing Pride parades had cost about £6,000, with a main sponsor usually covering half that amount. In April, event organiser Gary Richardson said he had unsuccessfully been trying to secure sponsorship. But the two-day event returned to Steyne Gardens on Friday. The event is being headlined by Natasha Hamilton on Saturday, who is best known for being part of pop group Atomic Kitten. Louisa Johnson, who won season 12 of The X Factor, was also scheduled to perform. Hundreds attended the event in 2024, with about 500 people expected to have taken part in the parade. Follow BBC Sussex on Facebook, on X, and on Instagram. Send your story ideas to southeasttoday@ or WhatsApp us on 08081 002250. Hundreds turn out to mark Worthing Pride parade Brighton Pride makes changes to street party plans Pride parade faces axe over sponsors Pride in London returns as events struggle with falling funds Worthing Pride


BBC News
05-07-2025
- Entertainment
- BBC News
Worthing Pride goes ahead despite funding concerns
A Pride event has gone ahead despite previous concerns it would have to be cancelled because organisers had failed to raise enough Worthing Pride parades had cost about £6,000, with a main sponsor usually covering half that amount. In April, event organiser Gary Richardson said he had unsuccessfully been trying to secure the two-day event returned to Steyne Gardens on event is being headlined by Natasha Hamilton on Saturday, who is best known for being part of pop group Atomic Kitten. Louisa Johnson, who won season 12 of The X Factor, was also scheduled to attended the event in 2024, with about 500 people expected to have taken part in the parade.