A HOST of stars and dignitaries have backed Bradford's bid to be named the 2025 City of Culture.

The race to host the year-long event has begun after the project was given the green light by Culture Secretary Dowden.

The Bradford 2025 team is working alongside Bradford Culture Company in partnership with Bradford Council and the University of Bradford to ensure the city wins out in the bidding.

Its cause has received support from a host of names from the world of entertainment who have connections to the city, saying it is positive for Bradford.

Comedian Billy Pearce, who has been a regular fixture of the Bradford pantomime over more than 25 years, has lent his support to the bid.

He said: "It would be great for Bradford, if it got it.

"It needs a good thing like this to happen and it deserves it. It needs that kind of a boost.

"I love it there and love the people. The ethos of the city has changed. Hopefully it gets the City of Culture, it would be brilliant."

Natalie Anderson, the Bradford-born actress and former Emmerdale star, says the city leads the ways on diversity and multi-culturalism.

She said: "I'm proud of being from Bradford. It is such a vibrant, diverse and multi-cultural city that is a great representation of modern Britain.

"I think Bradford shows the way forward in terms of how diversity and people living next door to each other and living a happy lifestyle together."

Actor Duncan Preston, another former Emmerdale star, says the city's Alhambra Theatre is a prime example of the cultural venues Bradford has to offer.

He said: "It can't be a bad thing to go for it.

"I'm absolutely delighted and I'm backing the city's bid.

"We've got the best theatre in then country, that's a great start."

Mickey Dale, of chart-topping band Embrace, backed Bradford's bid and urged everyone to get behind it.

He said: "It's a really positive thing for the city. We should all get behind it. We should think 'what can we do to make it all run as smoothly as possible?'

"The Odeon becoming Bradford Live is a really good example of things shaping up. It is one example of something really, really positive.

"It's easy to be cynical about things. We've got to be positive about our beautiful city.

"I don't see why we shouldn't be in with a fighting chance."

Tony Wright, most well known for being the lead singer of Terrorvision, said the district has a lot to offer culturally with venues including Salts Mill, Cartwright Hall and the National Science and Media Museum.

He said: “It should be the capital of multi-culture.

“The more I think about it, I can’t think how we will lose.

“I grew up in a different Bradford, with the music and gig venues.”

Meanwhile, a number of Bradford dignitaries took to social media to back the city's bid.

Bradford West MP Naz Shah tweeted: "Proud to be backing the @bradford2025 bid for #UKCityOfCulture. The time has come to tell the world our story. From Bradford to Bingley, Keighley to Ilkley, Saltaire to Haworth, this is our time!"

Professor Mel Pickup, chief executive of Bradford Teaching Hospitals, posted: "Time to share the secrets of what makes this place so special."

James Mason, Welcome to Yorkshire chief executive, said: "A City built on Culture!

"The ‘Wool city’ with the Brontës, David Hockney, JB Priestley, Frederick Delius, Zayn Malik, Dynamo, the Alhambra, Saltaire & Kala Sangam woven into its fabric.

"Did I mention the first UNESCO City of film? Only one winner here judges."