So Strictly returns to my fav seaside town.

After weeks of looking forward to Saturday it's nearly time to say 'This is Strictly Come Dancing - LIVE from Blackpool'

With only a couple of days to go until the glitziest show on TV arrives at the beautiful Blackpool Tower Ballroom, this week's Big Question asks what our dancers are most looking forward to from their trip to the seaside!

http://www.bbc.co.uk/strictlycomedancing/

DANCE fans could be feeling Strictly soggy in Blackpool tomorrow as people join the scrum for entry to Blackpool Tower.

BBC's smash hit celebrity show Strictly Come Dancing is due to make a triumphant return to Blackpool this week as the competition heats up.

The dresscode for the event is glitz and glamour and guests have been told strictly no jeans will be allowed.

Unfortunately for the hundreds of fans, the chances of them looking glamorous for the TV cameras are fading fast as queues for the event are expected to form from as early as 3pm and rain is forecast.

Tickets for the event were given out by ballot in slightly higher numbers than there are seats.

Now ticket holders will have to queue as the coveted seats will be given on a first come first served basis.

A Strictly Come Dancing spokeswoman said: "It's standard policy with all BBC shows to fill seats on a first come first served basis.

"We judge ticket numbers very carefully in order to give as many people as possible the opportunity to attend.

"For this reason we normally send out a few more tickets than there are seats to make sure spaces are filled.

"We are confident however everybody who wants to attend the event will have a seat on the day.

"If they don't get in they can watch the show on screens in The Opera House.

"Doors will open at 3pm."

Tickets for the Blackpool show were allocated by a random draw, which took place in September.

The public only found out they were successful when the tickets dropped on to their doormats.

http://www.blackpoolgazette.co.uk/bl...-in.5800880.jp

NICE to see you, to see you nice!

And staff at the Tower Ballroom are working hard to make sure the world famous venue is ready when ballroom heads back to Blackpool on Saturday.

Before BBC crews move into the Tower Ballroom on Wednesday evening, a stage used over the summer will be removed to expose a grand staircase and the cabaret-style tables will be taken away to make way for the 1,000-strong audience.

Geoff Sage, general manager at the Tower, has been overseeing proceedings.

He said: "It's very exciting and we have been getting ready for the celebrities and camera crews to come in."

Mr Sage added: "Workmen have applied a new coat of polish to the floor, and it will be thoroughly dusted and cleaned to its usual high standard."

Shimmying onto the newly-polished 120ft by 120ft mahogany, oak and walnut floor on Saturday will be remaining contestants cricket legend, Phil Tuffnell, Hollyoaks actor Ricky Whittle, The Bill star, Ali Bastian, former Eastender Natalie Cassidy, Olympic athlete Jade Johnson and, of course, our very own Craig.

"When the camera crew arrives today we will be working with them to set up the room in the best way. It's difficult because the camera has to keep off the floor, but they have very specialised equipment."

http://www.blackpoolgazette.co.uk/bl...tly.5791600.jp

To celebrate the return of Strictly, beginners can learn with special dance lessons run by former professional Karen Hardy at the Winter Gardens.

The lessons, from 10am until 12.30pm and 2pm until 4.30pm on Saturday, are aimed at getting everyone in the mood for dancing before the big night – and they are free to anyone.

http://www.blackpoolgazette.co.uk/bl...tly.5791600.jp

Next Elimination

Craig Kelly 5/6

Chris Hollins 5/1

Natalie Cassidy 6/1

Ricky Groves 8/1

Laila Rouass 10/1

Jade Johnson 12/1

Phil Tufnell 16/1

Ali Bastian 25/1

Ricky Whittle 66/1

Applies to the next contestant eliminated by judges/public vote.

Source - Paddy Power Friday 18.08

Strictly Come Dancing Saturday 07 November
BBC1 6:25pm - 8:15pm

There's a touch of olde worlde glamour about tonight's edition, which will make a change after all the recent criticism about risque costumes that were felt to be unsuitable for a family show. Jade Johnson's revealing cobweb dress caused a stir among viewers as did the appearance of Laila Rouass and Zoe Lucker wearing what looked like a bit of fringing. Whether the skimpy outfits were the result of budget cuts in the wardrobe department or simply to "sex up" the show isn't clear. In any case tonight Strictly is returning to its elegant roots. Or at least to the ornate Tower Ballroom in Blackpool, which is where the original show Come Dancing used to be held. It's not, of course, the first time the show has been back there: in 2004 the final (when Jill Halfpenny and Darren Bennett were crowned champions) was held here, too. Hotfooting their way to the north will be the nine remaining celebrity contestants and their partners, as well as hosts Bruce Forsyth and Tess Daly, and the panel of judges. Who'll all be dressed appropriately, we hope.

http://www.radiotimes.com/ListingsSe...s_fullpage.jsp

It Takes Two will be 'live in Blackpool' shortly on BBC2

What a good report from James Jordon live from Blackpool! He did 5 minutes to camera really well - showing us round, talking to couples, discussing the dance floor, setting etc.

When Brucie steps down, can James be considered?

I am not a fan of Mr J - but I thought he was excellent tonight!

^^^

Agree James was great!

I thought he was very good as well actually and I cant abide him usually. He'd make a pretty good TV presenter if he ever wanted to pursue that career. He was very natural and at ease.

Obviously Anton is being abandoned in favour of James now. I thought he did well at it as well. I do have the feeling ITT and James together and desperately trying to restore his image - I do think both Cherie and Zoe's departures can be partly blamed on him and his attitude towards Georgina in series 4 - even if he did have a point.

I don't think Brendan'll win again either, after his treatment of Sarah in series 2. Then again, I think his attitude towards Jo this year has done him a lot of good.

It was great to see the Tower Ballroom spent many hours have a drink or afternoon tea watching the dancers listening to the organ.

James did very well with his report.

Roll on 6.25 tonight

I thought that James was great on ITT last night as well. The fact that Anton's actually still in the competition this year means that some of the others might get a chance on the behind the scenes reporting.

I'm really looking forward to tonight. I didn't watch series 1 and 2, but am I correct in thinking that series 3 also had a show from the Tower Ballroom, but not the final? I seem to remember Zoe and Ian (possibly my favourite couple ever) dancing there.

On a slightly more negative note, I hope that Craig and Natalie are the bottom two tonight. He's really not very good at all and, although he is making some progress, he is far and away the worst of the remaining dancers. His odd, self-deluding attitude is also quite offputting for me. Hopefully, now that the public has granted him his birthday wish of a trip home, they'll think that enough is enough.

As for Natalie, there's something about her that I can't take to, either. I know that she's vivacious and has a genuine enthusiasm, but she just gets on my nerves. The way she also seems to be overrated by the judges also irritates me, although that's not her fault.

Anyway, if she is up against Craig in the DO, I expect she'll be safe - as will anybody else who ends up in the bottom two with him.

THE Strictly stars really do like to be beside the seaside as they arrive in Blackpool for tonight's special edition of the show.

The celebs happily donned "kiss me quick" hats to get in the spirit of the broadcast from the resort's Tower Ballroom.

Read more: http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage...#ixzz0W9vT08RF

http://photo.wenn.com/index.php?acti...64&version=int

"Tonight's show is what I've been working towards and it's amazing to finally be here. I will be doing my Cha Cha Cha in front of my parents, brother and wife, in my home town.

"It would be lovely if I did get more votes now I've come back to Blackpool, but I will still have to work for it."

http://www.blackpoolgazette.co.uk/bl...ool.5804357.jp

After a two-week absence - we really are sorry - the DS Strictly blog is back!

http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/strictly...e-dancing.html

http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/strictly...eek-eight.html

http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/strictly...dges-said.html

It was Blackpool boy Craig Kelly's dream to perform in front of his hometown crowd at the Tower Ballroom.

But while he got his wish, it was destined to be his last time on Strictly Come Dancing.

After scoring just 17 points from the judges, the former Coronation Street star needed a huge proportion of the viewer's vote to remain in the competition.

Instead he came in the bottom two, alongside Ricky Groves, and was promptly sent home by the panel.

Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/tvshowbiz...#ixzz0WDIP3qQ4

Greytop: Also full story and photos of tonight in Blackpool

Craig, from St Annes, said: "I feel pretty amazing, it was great I made it to Blackpool.

"That was a massive Brucie bonus."

His Cha Cha Cha gained harsh criticism from the judges.

Alesha Dixon said: "I'm happy you got to Blackpool but I can't believe Zoe had to go last week for me to endure that."

The huge crowd in the stunning Tower ballroom gave local lad Craig and his partner Flavia Cacace a huge round of applause as they took to the dance floor for the final time.

http://www.blackpoolgazette.co.uk/bl...xit.5805140.jp