Hi All,

Regular reader, but irregular poster here.

Got tickets through the post today for Saturday's show, and looking for the low down from those that have been before.

Firstly, we live in Dorset, so it's a major excursion and we don't want to miss out on getting into the show. The tickets say that it's open from 4 pm, but what time should we arrive at the door to guarantee we get a seat?

Secondy, car parking. I see there is a nearby NCP shown on the ticket. For those of you that have been by car, where would you reccomend parking, and what chance is there of getting into the NCP one?

Any tips from the regulars here to get the best out of the visit?

Haven't got the childminder organised yet. Sister is in the Lake district with her mobile turned off

Well done on getting tickets - you will have a great time

The only advice I can give is get there as early as you can - I would say around 11am and you would probably be able to guarantee a seat but that might be difficult coming from Dorest but having a ticket doesnt automatically get you entry! So the further up the queue you are the better

That probably doesnt help much but I have never travelled by car so cant help with parking I am afraid

I live near dorset as well and I sincerely recommend you catch the train then the tube. Or find someone who lives near. The NCP nearby will probbaly cost you upwards of £40 to park.
I'd recommend you get there for about 11am.... but you'd probably be guaranteed a seat if you arrive between 10 and 2:30ish..but obviously the earlier the better.. you may know this but the thought of driving nearly made me have a heart attack!

Well done on getting tickets!

I agree with Taylor Gillian - I live in London and won't dream of driving to the BBC television centre as you could end up spending ages trying to find somewhere to park. If you have a friend who lives in London you could park in their drive/on their street and take the tube to White City.

Are you up for someone giving you their mobile number for that night's result? I know we have a couple of people going already but the more the merrier!

you can always park in Ealing Town hall car park, for 2 quid all day, then hop on the tube from Ealing Broadway to white city, or you can park by Perivale tube on the street for free and get the central line from there - I don't think its permit holders at the weekend. Have a look on Streetmap for detailed directions - Perivale is UB6, Ealing Broadway is W5. You need white city tube. I wouldn't advise taking the car there.

Hi, and thanks for the reply.

More than happy to phone a FM once we have cleared the claokroom. I imagine the call wouldn't disturb anyone as they will still be up! If someone can PM me please. Unfortunately we can't get there at 10am, so I think there is a possibility we might miss out. But as it's week 1 we are hoping that there won't be an influx of production guests showing up, and sort of hoping that the public will be less bothered about missing an early week. But knowing what FM's are like, I think that's not going to happen!

Re parking - the cost of the train + tube works out a lot more than taking the car, including getting ripped off for car parking, plus it's a lot more convenient. Now we have a sat nav, driving in cities isn't a problem.

Thanks for the car parking info. I think I'll drop my wife off outside TVC to join the queue whilst I park the car somewhere or other.

Have a good time on Saturday. Please don't underestimate London traffic. On a Saturday morning, in West London, the traffic crawls. Assume everything takes 5 times longer than it should.

Hi,

I've been twice before and haven't arrived before 2.30pm on both occassions and had no problems getting in. My friend has tickets for this week too and I've been invited along, yay!! We are aiming to get there around 2pm again. See you there!! xx

We haven't yet got the childminder organised. Sis is STILL in the lakes with her phone turned off

We should be easy to recognise in the queue. The couple up from the countryside with the floppy felt hats, smocks and straw dangling out of our gobs! Might say Ooooh-Arrrrr a bit for added effect

Seriously though, do FM's usually make themselves known in some way?

we will have to have some DS badges made and a secret handshake.!!!

Yey - sis FINALLY turned her phone on, so the kids are catered for and we can go! Looking forward to it immensely!

Have watched strictly from start and avid fan but only just discovered forum. Just mystified that if you have tickets it doesnt mean you get in. Why?

I think they issue more tickets than there are seats because they know there's always some people who don't turn up. So to avoid any empty seats on telly, they have to overbook it.

Also it depends on how many production guests they have. The more production guests, the less members of the public they let in!

Happy Strictly!

Just wanted to say I hope everybody going tonight has a fantastic time! I probably speak for most people when I say I'm envious and wish I was going. Hope you all get in, can't wait for a spoiler and possibly a report on how it went.

OP, please tell us ALL about your evening! Hope you had an amazing time.


xx

Yes, I'd love to read reports from anyone lucky enough to get studio tickets