Seaside thriller as Blackpool hosts TV's Strictly Come Dancing (From Blackpool Citizen)

Seaside thriller as Blackpool hosts TV's Strictly Come Dancing

10:00am Saturday 7th November 2009

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BALLROOM dancing is coming home tonight with a special one-off episode of Strictly Come Dancing at Blackpool’s famous Tower Ballroom.

The BBC One dance spectacular is hot-footing it to the spiritual home of all things ballroom for one night only, as part of the sparkling seventh series.

Waltzing their way to Lancashire, hosts Bruce Forsyth and Tess Daly will be joined by the nine remaining couples in the competition, the no nonsense panel of judges plus rocker Rod Stewart and wife Penny Lancaster for their all-singing-all-dancing guest performance.

And no-one is more excited about the Blackpool spectacular than Craig Kelly, who grew up just down the road in Lytham St Annes. The former Coronation Street actor got through to this week’s show despite coming joint bottom of the judges' leader board last Saturday.

Craig, whose character Luke Strong fled Weatherfield earlier this month, got 24 points for his waltz, sharing the bottom spot with ex EastEnder Ricky Groves.

But the actor, who will perform the cha-cha tonight with partner Flavia Cacace, said he has now reached his “ultimate goal” by getting to Blackpool.

After getting through last Saturday, also his birthday, Craig said: “What better present to myself than to nail this waltz and to get to Blackpool.

“I am so happy to be going to Blackpool this weekend. It was my absolute goal to make it there.”

Yesterday all the stars of the show and 140 crew members descended on the Tower Ballroom to prepare for tonight’s sequined-filled show for week eight.

Tower duty manager Kenny Mew said: “We’re all very excited, from the house keeping to management. Everyone is really looking forward to it all. It’s great for Blackpool and the Tower. All the staff have offered to work tonight!

“I saw Anton Du Beke arrive yesterday and go for some lunch. The stars were rehearsing all afternoon. People coming to watch will start arriving at about 4pm today. There will be strict security checks and then it goes live a couple of hours later. There will be 1,065 people in the audience so the atmosphere will be very good. I’m sure the BBC will return for another series because they get 500 in the London studio so we can double the numbers.”

“No-one has been allowed in the ballroom since yesterday morning and the BBC have been busy setting up a whole new lighting system and several raised areas. The set looks amazing on the telly but with our sprung parquet floor, our decoration and the chandeliers it will be even better.

And Mr Mew said his team were backing ‘local lad’ Craig Kelly all the way.

“We love the fact there’s a local lad in the competition. The longer he stays in, the more people think of Blackpool and where ballroom dancing began. When people visit us they just stand and stare at the ceiling. It’s such a wonderful room to dance in. We hope Craig wins and brings ballroom dancing home again.”

Tickets for the Blackpool show were allocated by a random draw, which took place in September. The dress code for tonight’s event is glitz and glamour and guests have been told strictly no jeans will be allowed.

As well as performances from the remaining couples, tonight’s audience will be treated to a return visit from former Strictly star Penny Lancaster, accompanied by a live performance from Rod Stewart.

It is thought the celebrity couple will arrive at Blackpool in Rod’s private jet before Penny dances with professional dancer Mathew Cutler to the tune of Rod singing Same Old Song.

It has been reported that a campaign led by local MPs, and backed by new judge Alesha Dixon, persuaded bosses to revisit the landmark for tonight’s show.

Every afternoon throughout the summer season the Blackpool Tower Ballroom plays host to romantic tea dances, accompanied by the music of the mighty Wurlitzer organ. Couples have been twirling across the floor there ever since 1899 and the venue originally played host to Come Dancing — the predecessor for today's hit show.

Strictly Come Dancing has previously broadcast from Blackpool. The last time was the final of series two in 2004, when actress Jill Halfpenny and her dancing partner Darren Bennett were crowned Strictly champions.

Jay Hunt, Controller of BBC One, said: "It's great that this year Strictly Come Dancing is going back to the home of ballroom. Our night in Blackpool will add extra sparkle to this series."

Coun Maxine Callow, Blackpool Council's cabinet member for tourism and regeneration, said: "Blackpool is absolutely thrilled to be hosting Strictly Come Dancing again and is very grateful to the BBC for bringing this fantastic spectacle back to the home of ballroom dancing.

"Blackpool's world-famous Tower Ballroom will once again look fabulous on TV and, as this weekend is the last weekend of the Illuminations, I'm sure all the dancers and celebrities will enjoy the wonderful atmosphere here."

And the contestants themselves are just as excited about tonight’s one-off show being broadcast to millions live from Blackpool.

Natalie Cassidy, who played Sonia Jackson in EastEnders, said: “The thing I’m looking forward to most is just being in Blackpool, the home of ballroom. I’ll be dancing a ballroom dance and it will be fantastic.”

Fellow former Walford resident Garry Hobbs, aka Ricky Groves, added: "I’m looking forward to the donkeys.”

Hollyoaks hunk Ricky Whittle, from Oldham, who plays PC Calvin Valentine in the teen soap said: “I’m excited about going back to where we used to go as kids.”

And Craig Kelly, who stars in new ITV drama Collision from Monday, alongside his actor brother, Shameless's Dean Lennox Kelly, added: “I’m going to get some candyfloss and a stick of Blackpool rock.”

l Tune in to BBC One tonight at 6.25pm to see Strictly Come Dancing at Blackpool Tower.

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