Robbie Williams will turn on Blackpool Illuminations

The singer said the switch-on will cap his 20 years in the music business

Robbie Williams will turn on this year's Blackpool Illuminations.

He will flick the switch on the attraction, which stretches six miles along the seafront, on 3 September.

The singer said: "Blackpool has so many happy memories for me and it will be a real thrill to turn on the 2010 Illuminations."

Williams will not be singing on the evening but it is thought to be one of his last solo appearances before he joins Take That on tour after 15 years.

He said was excited to be leading the event, which is seen by about three million people every year.

"This will cap my 20th year of making music and I can't think of a better place to celebrate that than Blackpool," he said.

The illuminations will remain switched on for 66 nights until 7 November.