Strictly Come Dancing is back at the iconic Blackpool Tower Ballroom for its dazzling 20th anniversary year!
For one unforgettable week, the show’s magic will be even bigger, brighter, and more glamorous, filling the Tower Ballroom with extra sparkle and energy. Blackpool – a legendary landmark in the ballroom dance world – awaits our celebrities and professional dancers, who are thrilled to perform on its legendary floor. With an expanded cast of professional dancers and the electric Northern atmosphere, this year’s Blackpool special promises to be an unmissable celebration.
We caught up with the judges and presenters to talk all things Blackpool – and get their go-to chippy orders!
Tess Daly
What should the celebrities be most excited about for performing at Blackpool?
That iconic sprung floor in the Tower Ballroom is always a surprise for the celebrities when they step on it for the first time. You can literally feel the floor moving under your feet. The whole atmosphere in the ballroom is just incredible. It’s such a historic place and of course, the home of ballroom dancing.
What does the atmosphere feel like backstage in Blackpool compared to other weeks, and how does that energy contribute to the magic of Strictly’s 20th anniversary?
There’s always an extra surge of electricity in the air backstage at Blackpool. It feels pretty momentous, and all of our couples are desperate to make it to that stage. Our entire cast and crew have decamped to the Tower Ballroom for the occasion; logistics wise it’s no mean feat rigging up an entire live show in a different location and all credit to our production crew for making it happen.
Which iconic Blackpool performance from past series entertained you the most?
Gloria Estefan opening the show with a medley – that was so, so exciting.
Who is the most likely out of Tess and Claud to take a dip in the sea at Blackpool beach?
Ha, neither of us, we both hate being cold!
Sugar doughnuts or chips and gravy?
Can I have both please?
Ferris wheel or carousel?
Carousel, I hate heights!
Blackpool Pleasure Beach or Blackpool Illuminations?
Probably the Illuminations- it’s such a nostalgic trip down memory lane for me as we used to go every year as children with our parents.
What’s your go to order from the chippy?
Fish chips and mushy peas, please!
Claudia Winkleman
What should the celebrities be most excited about for performing at Blackpool?
The atmosphere in the whole town is just electric. From the moment we arrive, we love it. Everyone there is bonkers friendly and we’re incredibly lucky they have us every year.
What does the atmosphere feel like backstage in Blackpool compared to other weeks, and how does that energy contribute to the magic of Strictly’s 20th anniversary?
It’s just so exciting as the ballroom is beautiful. The audience is bigger and louder, and the floor is sprung so is bouncier.
Which iconic Blackpool performance from past series entertained you the most?
Fleur and Vito were outstanding. We were all screaming when they finished the dance.
Who is the most likely out of Tess and Claud to take a dip in the sea at Blackpool beach?
Neither. It’s November!
Sugar doughnuts or chips and gravy?
All of it. The fish and chips are the best in the world, and we eat them the second we get there.
Ferris wheel or carousel?
I am a total wuss and freak out on rollercoasters. A very gentle carousel with the three-year-olds please.
Blackpool Pleasure Beach or Blackpool Illuminations?
Impossible to pick but I really love the Illuminations.
What’s your go to order from the chippy?
Cod and chips and extra vinegar.
Shirley Ballas
With Blackpool’s rich dance history and the grandeur of the Tower Ballroom, how does it affect your expectations and critiques of the performances? How do you approach scoring performances on such a significant stage?
I’ll be judging without fear or favour and shall be looking for pure entertainment as well as those who can bring technique, leg action, synchronisation, flexibility, flow and fabulous posture. A good performance is key to light up the Blackpool Tower Ballroom.
What should the celebrities be most excited about for performing at Blackpool?
Well, the celebrities are dancing in what I feel is the most iconic ballroom in the world. It has the best sprung floor that industry legends have danced on. The building holds so much history – there has been more World Champions crowned in this ballroom than anywhere else in the world.
What does the atmosphere feel like backstage in Blackpool compared to other weeks, and how does that energy contribute to the magic of Strictly’s 20th anniversary?
It’s absolutely electrifying. The whole room is buzzing with excitement no matter where you go. It’s going to be so magical returning to Blackpool and I have no doubt that it’ll be an outstanding celebration of 20 years.
Which iconic Blackpool performance from past series entertained you the most?
There has been so many. I’ll never get Ann and Anton’s Samba out of my head for many reasons, Fleur and Vito’s Couple’s Choice was truly iconic and Ashley and Pasha’s dancing the Jive on top of tables in a chip shop will be remembered forever!
Who is the most likely out of the judges to take a dip in the sea at Blackpool beach?
I think I’d have to say me. I love a good dip in the sea – especially if it’s nice and cold. I find it refreshing.
Sugar doughnuts or chips and gravy?
Chips and gravy.
Ferris wheel or carousel?
Carousel.
Blackpool Pleasure Beach or Blackpool Illuminations?
Blackpool Illuminations.
What’s your go to order from the chippy?
Fish and chips, mushy peas and a slice of bread, with lots of salt and vinegar.
Craig Revel Horwood
With Blackpool’s rich dance history and the grandeur of the Tower Ballroom, how does it affect your expectations and critiques of the performances? How do you approach scoring performances on such a significant stage?
Expectations are high. Critiques are also then based on how well the celebrities perform alongside extra professional dancers, and can they work together as a team or troupe.
What should the celebrities be most excited about for performing at Blackpool?
The sprung floor adds another challenge and the extra audience members add to the pressure and the excitement!
What does the atmosphere feel like backstage in Blackpool compared to other weeks, and how does that energy contribute to the magic of Strictly’s 20th anniversary?
The atmosphere is electric backstage and provides an extra lift in energy to the routines.
Which iconic Blackpool performance from past series entertained you the most?
Fleur and Vito’s Couple’s Choice in 2022. It was big, exciting and incredible.
Who is the most likely out of the judges to take a dip in the sea at Blackpool beach?
I would say me as I do love a cold dip.
Sugar doughnuts or chips and gravy?
Chips and gravy.
Ferris wheel or carousel?
Ferris wheel as carousels spin me out.
Blackpool Pleasure Beach or Blackpool Illuminations?
Illuminations as good lighting is everything!
What’s your go to order from the chippy?
Cod, chips and mushy peas.
Anton Du Beke
When I was a dancer, I would usually save what I would consider to be a ‘big’ dance for Blackpool, something that was expansive and could fill the incredible stage. However, now that I’m a judge, the grandeur of the ballroom doesn’t tend to affect my scoring.
The atmosphere! It’s just incredible, there’s nothing like it, it’s just the most wonderful place.
There tends to be a heightened state of anticipation at Blackpool. Everybody is just eager and excited to put on their best performance.
I personally loved performing Heaven Must be Missing an Angel with Ann Widdecombe in Blackpool where she was wearing that fantastic yellow dress. I haven’t been able to look at a yellow dress or a pair of gold sequin trousers in the same way ever since.
For me, it’s always chips and gravy.
Oh, Illuminations for me.
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