Meet the Edwardian superstar who owned the Palace stage

Celebrating the Fylde Coast's rich past

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Continuing the series on Blackpool's Palace Theatre, which closed in 1961, we come to a lady who was the "queen of the crop" in the days of old-time variety: Vesta Tilley.

But first a guide for new readers. The Palace was part of a huge entertainment centre that stood on the Promenade block north of Blackpool Tower.

On the evidence of ads and reviews in The Gazette, it appears that Vesta Tilley was the nation's favourite in the days before World War One.

Even though she was usually togged up in a man's dress suit and top hat!