Just eight celebs are left standing on Strictly Come Dancing, with the competition heating up as the grand finale approaches. The popular BBC show is off to Blackpool this Saturday (16 November) for its yearly special in the town's legendary Tower Ballroom, and there's no doubt that this year's remaining contestants are over the moon to have made it this far.
Chris McCausland, Pete Wicks, Tasha Ghouri, JB Gill, Wynne Evans, Sarah Hadland, Jamie Borthwick and Montell Douglas will all be hitting the dance floor in Blackpool as they battle to stay in the contest. With Strictly fans eagerly awaiting the glitzy Blackpool episode, many are curious about why heading to the seaside town became a tradition on the BBC show - and the reason is quite straightforward, reports OK!.
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BBC)The BBC Television Centre studio where Strictly used to be filmed was also needed for the BBC's Children In Need appeal on a Friday evening every November, giving the dance show the perfect excuse to head to Blackpool. Even though things have now changed, after TV Centre closed for refurbishment in 2013, the tradition continues. Strictly Come Dancing first went to Blackpool in 2004, but it wasn't until 2009 when Blackpool Week became an annual part of the show.
Fans have been buzzing on social media, with many gobsmacked by a revelation about the show's history. One viewer tweeted: "Final was there in the early days but Children in Need used to filmed in same studio as Strictly which forced them to Blackpool. CIN moved to Salford last year so in theory the final could move back to Blackpool."
Another shared their surprise: "That's a random fun fact-Blackpool for Strictly and Children in Need, who knew? " A third chimed in: "did you know the reason they go to Blackpool for strictly is because they need the studio in London for children in need?".
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BBC)The much-anticipated Blackpool Week will feature Chris and Dianne gliding through an American Smooth to Paul Anka's Jump, while Pete and Jowita are set to Cha Cha to the iconic I'm Too Sexy by Right Said Fred. Montell and Johannes will be heating up the dance floor with a Salsa to Thelma Houston's Don't Leave Me This Way.
Meanwhile, Jamie and Michelle are ready to rock a Jive to The Ketchup Song by Las Ketchup, JB and Lauren will Quickstep to Rick Astley's Never Gonna Give You Up, and Tasha and Aljaž will bring intensity with a Paso Doble to Nathan Lanier's Torn. Wynne and Katya are preparing a Charleston to George Bizet's Carmen Suite No.1: 5. Les toréadors, and Sarah and Vito will showcase their Couple's Choice to Padam Padam by Kylie Minogue.