THE tower ballroom, the seaside, and a shimmer of sequins, can mean only one thing: its Blackpool week on Strictly Come Dancing.
This year’s remaining celebs have made it to the pivotal stage of the competition that will see them trip the light fantastic at the international home of ballroom.
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Dancing in the revered sprung floor venue always had those famous faces bringing their A- game, from the late Caroline Flack’s London theme jive, to Labour MP’s Ed Ball’s dance to Great Balls of Fire, here we take a look at those blistering moments in the Blackpool ballroom.
Ann Widdecombe -2019
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Tory MP Ann Widdecombe was paired with judge Anton Du Beke during his professional dancing days in 2010.
Hardly a natural dancer, Du Beke cleverly played up her comedy value which had millions voting her in week on week. Their memoriable Blackpool routine saw her being dragged around bouncy wooden floors like a giant yellow duster.
Caroline Flack – 2014
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TV presenter Caroline Flack left an astonishing legacy as one of the most gifted dancers ever to appear on Strictly in 2014.
Partnered with former pro, Pasha Kovalev, the TV star donned a union jack dress and performed a London themed jive to Elton John’s Crocodile Rock, showcasing her slick and stylish dance moves.
It was girl power personified.
Ed Balls – 2016
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Fomer Labour MP Ed Balls was the comedy act of 2016 his famous ‘Gangham Style routine has had more than a million views online.
But also unforgettable was his hilarious jive with pro partner, Katya Jones to Great Balls of Fire and judge Craig said he was an “inspiration to all the couch potatoes doing nothing.”
Stacey Dooley – 2018
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The documentary maker was the glitterball champion in 2018, after she danced to glory with her dance, turned romantic partner, Kevin Clifton.
Millions of jaws hit the floor during her routine at Blackpool where she arrived straddling a giant stick of rock before her sassy Salsa routine to Gina G’s Ooh ah, Just a Little bit Ooo ah indeed.
Fleur East – 2022
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Fleur East bought some booty shakin to the ballroom where she performed couple’s choice to a medley of Destiny’s Child songs with her partner Vito Coppola in 2022.
The former X Factor star dazzled the judges and audiences at home with electric dance moves completely with her metallic catsuit that will surely go down in Strictly history. Miaow!
Simon Webbe – 2014
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Blue Singer Simon Webbe sent temperatures soaring when he performed his sizzling argentine tango with former professional dancer Kristina Rihanoff.
The pair danced to the El tango de Roxanne from Moulin Rouge, in a stripped back routine with none of the usual Blackpool backing dancers and it turned out to be one of the stand out moments of 2014.
Graeme Swan – 2018
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Graeme Swan continued the tradition of cricketers doing well on strictly as the light footed England player finished in 7th place in the competition.
Partnered with Oti Mabuse in 2018, few could forget his nautical themed quickstep and even though he was eliminated that week, he was an outstanding competitor.
