Blackpool singer who survived Manchester Arena bombing hopes for dream wedding with fiancé on anniversary of attack

A Blackpool singer and her fiancé are proving they can overcome anything together after their dream wedding plans took a knock due to the coronavirus pandemic.
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When Covid-19 restrictions brought devastating consequences for the wedding and entertainment industries, it was heartbreaking for Kearra Bethany and partner Tom McLeod, who is also

a singer.

But the couple, who met in Blackpool while singing in hotels on the seafront, have stayed strong in the face of adversity and focused on helping others during lockdown.

The couple, who are both singers, worked as supermarket delivery drivers when their tours were called off due to Covid-19.The couple, who are both singers, worked as supermarket delivery drivers when their tours were called off due to Covid-19.
The couple, who are both singers, worked as supermarket delivery drivers when their tours were called off due to Covid-19.
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Kearra, 31, said their planned wedding on May 22 last year held special meaning for her as she survived the Manchester Arena bombing at the Ariana Grande concert on the same date in

2017.

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“We got evacuated behind the stage.

Kearra Bethany works as a personal care assistantKearra Bethany works as a personal care assistant
Kearra Bethany works as a personal care assistant

“That’s why Tom proposed to me on that date and we want to get married on May 22.

“It was meant to be in Mexico last year but it got cancelled and we had to move it to the Dominican Republic in May this year – but that’s up in the air now too.”

The couple, who live off Preston New Road in Marton, have been together for three years.

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Kearra was on a UK theatre tour as an Ariana Grande tribute artist, and Tom, 26 – who is a Michael Bublé and Gary Barlow tribute act – was also about to embark on a tour, when the

Kearra Bethany and partner Tom McLeodKearra Bethany and partner Tom McLeod
Kearra Bethany and partner Tom McLeod

pandemic hit.

Kearra, who is also a personal care assistant in Blackpool, added: “With the wedding on hold, we wanted to keep a positive outlook and carried on helping others doing shopping for the

vulnerable and singing on social media to keep people entertained.”

The couple raised £1,500 for the NHS doing Facebook live shows during the first lockdown and delivered supplies to staff on the Covid wards.

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They also got jobs at Tesco Blackpool and performed outside to queuing customers to keep up morale.

And they didn’t let their planned wedding date go unnoticed, and celebrated what would have been their ‘big day’ together at home.

Now they’re hoping to get back on stage performing when restrictions allow.

Kearra added: “There have been a lot of tears with everything that got cancelled over the last year but we like to keep going.

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“Tom has been my backbone, and we like to keep everyone’s spirits up.

“It will be nice to be back performing in the hotels.”

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