The stars of Strictly Come Dancing are gearing up for a dazzling performance at the iconic Blackpool Tower Ballroom, affectionately referred to as the “Wembley of ballroom dancing” this season. The pros are reportedly getting all emotional just thinking about the historic 19th-century venue with its legendary sprung dance floor and magnificent chandeliers.
The Pet Shop Boys will kick off the show on Saturday 15 November with a medley of their greatest hits alongside a stunning routine from the Strictly pros, before debuting their latest single – a cover of Mott The Hoople’s All The Young Dudes that was written by David Bowie – on Sunday’s results show.
(Image: BBC/Guy Levy)
Comedian Chris McCausland is among the celebrities buzzing to hit the “Wembley for ballroom dancers” and even plans to brave the rollercoasters at Pleasure Beach now that he’s got his confidence up. “We used to go to Blackpool a lot when I was a kid,” says Chris, 47. “I’ve got loads of memories of the seafront, the beach and the fairgrounds.
“I’d never go on rollercoasters when I was that age. I think because I could see them, they terrified me, whereas now I can’t see them, I’m not bothered so I’ll go on anything.” Sharing a humorous take on his preference, he adds, “I’m not in it for the view am I?” referring to his fondness for the Carousel over a Ferris wheel, reports the Mirror.
His dance partner Dianne Buswell, who’s 35, says she “dreamed of performing in Blackpool” while growing up in Australia. Chris appreciates the significance of this moment, stating: “It’s something that means a lot to the professional dancers.
“Strictly is a two way relationship and they don’t get to dance there every year with a partner because they leave at different points of the competition each year. To be able to get to Blackpool with Dianne and give her that opportunity to dance there again means more to me than me being able to go there myself.”
Meanwhile, Miranda star Sarah Hadland reveals her ambivalence about the famed location, as she recalls being “traumatised” by a childhood donkey ride. The 53 year old actress says, “My mum took me to Blackpool when I was little. We got there and we did the rollercoaster, when our photograph came through everyone had their arms in the air but I’m nowhere to be seen. I’m in the brace position, probably screaming, brace, brace.”
Sarah revealed: “After that, my mum took us to go on a little donkey ride on the beach. I got on a donkey but it got spooked. I swung under the donkey and was dragged with my face in the sand. This donkey was called something like Brenda. It’s like something in a horror film. After that, I think I was a bit traumatised and just came home.”
(Image: PA)
Her partner Vito Coppola, 32, gets emotional when talking about Blackpool, saying he feels like he’s performing “in the centre of the world” when he’s there. “Every time I’m in Blackpool, I can feel the energy of years and years of dancing and all the big legends that have danced there,” he says.
Go Compare opera singer Wynne Evans, 52, is grateful for the ballroom’s unique sprung floor, joking: “Anything to help with elevation and bounce is most welcome.” He recalls seeing end of the pier shows starring Ken Dodd, Mike Yarwood and Sir Lenny Henry, and says: “I know if my late parents were still alive they would’ve loved to be there to relive old memories with me and they would not have been able to believe that I’m dancing on the dance floor.”
Strictly pro Katya Jones, 35, has opened up about her affection for Blackpool, an iconic dance destination that feels like “coming home” to her, buzzing with the need to inject “energy and spark” into the beloved venue.
She says: “It means a lot. Bringing dancing back to where it belongs with Strictly as a dancer is a big deal. It means ballroom dancing is still relevant. Knowing that Strictly has been on for 20 years and there’s still so much love for it, it’s a big deal. It’s bringing dancing back to where it belongs.”
(Image: BBC)
Meanwhile, TOWIE sensation Pete Wicks gets all nostalgic over his childhood trips to the same seaside spot, despite not having much money back then; he fondly remembers the arcades and its lovely atmosphere.
Having emotionally honoured his “soul mate” nan in the last show, he reflects: “We didn’t have much money when I was younger, so we always went to the seaside. I really enjoyed the arcades and the lovely vibe there. ” His partner, Jowita Przystal, can’t get over the “massive portion of doughnuts” they indulged in at Pleasure Beach, showcasing the lighter side of their hectic dance schedule.
Love Island’s Tasha Ghouri has fond memories of cruising down the promenade as a little girl. “I remember driving down the promenade in my family’s convertible car, looking at the illuminations at night with a blanket wrapped round me,” she says. The 26 year old reality star will be bringing along her cuddly toy, Flat Ted. “I can’t go anywhere without him,” she admits. “He has to be there with me – he’s my good luck charm.”
JLS star JB Gill is thrilled to return to the “electrifying” ballroom, this time as a dancer rather than a singer. He shares a childhood memory: “I remember going to lots of different seaside towns with my Great Aunt, she was always doing camps and summer excursions and we always used to get a stick of rock wherever we went to, like Skegness and Grimsby, I used to try and convince my Great Aunt that I was allowed to eat the whole stick of rock in one go.”
(Image: @jbgill/Instagram)
JB is now dancing with new partner Lauren Oakley after Amy Dowden had to step back for health reasons. Lauren, 33, is banking on her lucky charm, teddy bear Fred, as this is her first competition at the famed venue.
Meanwhile, Gladiator and Team GB star Montell Douglas equates the Blackpool dance floor to a sports track due to its unique bounce. “I’m excited about trying out something completely new, and hearing the dancers talk about sprung floors,” shares the 38 year old. “In athletics, we talk about running on a Tartan track or on a Mondo track. You have no idea what that means, but Mondo track is faster and nicer and harder, and it feels different. And I imagine it’s going to be just like that dancing at Blackpool. It’s probably going to feel amazing.”
Soap star Jamie Borthwick says: “Getting to Blackpool is a personal target I set myself when joining the show, so it’s be a real sense of personal achievement that we’re performing there.”
His dance partner, Michelle Tsiakkas, 29, gushed about the significance of Blackpool week, saying: “I think that Blackpool is the week that everyone wants to get to, it’s that milestone that we strive towards from the beginning of the show so maybe there’s a little bit more pressure to get through to that week.
“I think that it’s an achievement in itself to get to Blackpool, and I think we are just going to bring that extra spark by just adding extra fun to our routine, really going for it and having a good time. I mean we’re in Blackpool so that’s the place to have fun and just leave our hearts on the dance floor.”
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