THE jewel in the Strictly crown is undoubtedly the annual trip to the home of ballroom dancing: Blackpool.
For the past two years the pilgrimage to the iconic tower hasn’t happened due to the coronavirus pandemic, however, this year’s cohort will make up for lost time when they bring glitz and glamour to the seaside destination on Saturday night.
Before then though, we’re taking a look at the most memorable moments from the Blackpool archive.
Anton du Beke
Anton du Beke and Ann Widdecombe lit up Blackpool with this routine
As a dancer, Anton delivered not one, but two all-time great performances at Blackpool, albeit for humorous reasons.
Sadly, this year Anton will be behind the judging desk, meaning we’ll be without his trademark choreography and comical storytelling.
FAMILY LOVE
Strictly’s Motsi Mabuse and sister Oti pose with rarely-seen family members
Back in 2010 he had viewers in stitches as he manhandled politician Ann Widdecombe on the dance floor, pulling the hapless dancer from pillar to post in a bid to put together some sort of rhythmic routine.
The pair couldn’t be missed, dancing in bright yellow outfits, and while they certainly brightened the mood for viewers, the judges disagreed, scoring them a paltry 13 points.
Anton and Judy Murray provided some Disney magic
Four years later he was once again paired with a partner of limited ability, this time Judy Murray.
However, the tennis coach came alive in Blackpool during a sweet Mary Poppins-inspired routine.
The Viennese Waltz gave Judy her best score of the series with 24, although it still wasn’t enough to save her from elimination.
Katya Jones
Ed Balls and Katya delivered a rollicking rock ‘n’ roll performance
Russian pro Katya is another who has had to make the best of limited ability over the years, and none highlighted her creative ability more so than her partnership with ex-Labour MP Ed Balls.
The former Shadow Chancellor was full of theatrics in the tower, taking to the dance floor playing a flaming piano lowered from the sky.
And once he touched down, Ed showed off his quick feet with a jive he could only have dreamed of performing at the beginning of the show.
Pasha Kovalev
Pasha Kovalev and Ashley Roberts brought the house down with their jive
The jive has traditionally been a big hit at Blackpool.
While Ed’s was a display of over-the-top gimmicks, Ashley Roberts’ dance to Shake Ya Tail Feather was an example of Glitterball-worthy prowess.
She and Pasha scored full marks for the sizzling routine that saw glamorous Ashley pushing her body to the limit.
Gorka Marquez
Spaniard Gorka would love to repeat the success he and Alexandra Burke had in Blackpool when he takes to the dance floor at the weekend with Helen Skelton.
He and Alexandra topped the leaderboard in 2017 with a near faultless 39 for their Quickstep.
X Factor’s Alexandra was in tears at the end of the routine to We’re In The Money from the musical 42nd Street.
Judge Shirley Ballas said of the dance: “I loved the musicality, high-energy, full of life, light and bright.”
