Swimmers to recreate Peter Kay advert for pools grand opening

FAMOUS faces from the world of professional swimming are set to make a splash at the launch of a new £400,000 pool this Friday (12 November) by recreating an iconic Peter Kay advert.

Hotel Sheraton, in Blackpool, is unveiling its refurbished leisure facilities in memorable style â€" by recreating the multi-award-winning John Smiths Bitter TV commercial which from 2002 which featured the Bolton comic. 

Central to the occasion will be a reprise of the iconic voiceover by former BBC swimming commentator Hamilton Bland who will also be joined by Olympic diver Hugo Ordoñez, who has travelled the world with his diving shows, and Blackpool-born World Record marathon swimmer Dr Julie Bradshaw MBE.

Known as ‘The Voice of Swimming,’ professional swimming coach Hamilton Bland, from Lancashire, commentated on every aquatic event over 23 years for the BBC, including six Olympic Games, but is probably best known for his voiceover work on the original John Smiths TV advert in 2002 featuring comedian Peter Kay as one of the entrants in an international diving final.

Hamilton Bland

After seeing his rivals perform breath-taking manoeuvres, Kay’s character opts for the ‘running bomb’- a feet-first splashdown into the water which earns him maximum marks and the accolade of ‘top bombing’ from the commentator.

It’s a chapter Bland is looking forward to revisiting at The Sheraton this week.

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(Credit: YouTube/ Peter Kay/ John Smiths)

He recalls: “On my way down to Soho for filming for John Smiths, I wrote the commercial for them in 23 minutes. My kids couldn’t care less about my 23 years in BBC television but they thought the Peter Kay advert I’d written in 23 minutes was very exciting.

“It gave me a lot of street cred with them at the time.

“This is a very fitting way of marking the new facilities. Blackpool has a history of swimming pools including The former Derby Baths which closed in 1990 but was world famous in its day. This is going to be a fun occasion.”

Guests at The Sheraton and nearby Elgin Hotels can now take advantage of the new-look 9x4m pool and six-person jacuzzi and seating area plus changing rooms, showers and lockers.

The premium facilities will also be accessible for hotel staff before opening to guests at 7.30am each day.

The new swimming pool at the Sheraton hotel in Blackpool

The award-winning Sheraton, along with The Elgin Hotel, on Queens Promenade, are run by sibling hoteliers Nigel Seddon and Liz Brown.

Liz Brown, Managing Director at the Sheraton for six years, said: “The builders started in January 2020 and then downed their tools on 19th March at the beginning of the first lockdown.

“Work was then on and off for the next 20 months as the hotel opened and closed during the various lockdowns. The build was also delayed by the shortage of specialised equipment, due to Brexit, so after nearly two years we’re delighted that the project is finally complete.”

Peter Kay appeared in the beer advert (Credit: YouTube/ Peter Kay/ John Smiths)

She added: “Of all the refurbishment projects we have carried out over the last five years, this is the one I am most proud of.

“The team behind it have created the most beautiful pool which is a great asset to the hotel and a wonderful benefit to our guests and staff.

“Thank you to the hotel guests who have been so understanding and patient about not having a pool as promised due to delays.”

The launch will be taking place this Friday from midday. 

Visit the hotel at: https://www.hotelsheraton.co.uk/

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