STRICTLY Come Dancing has been bringing a touch of sparkle to the BBC since 2004.
The much-loved show is watched at home by millions, with some viewers wondering where the show is filmed. Here’s what we know.
When does Strictly Come Dancing film at The Elstree TV studios?
Following the closure of BBC Television Centre in 2013, Strictly’s cameras have now moved location to the Elstree TV Studios in Hertfordshire.
The Saturday and Sunday night shows take place on the building’s famous George Lucas stage.
The studio is equipped to hold a 750-strong live audience.
When does Strictly Come Dancing film at Blackpool?
Along with the BBC shooting Strictly at Elstree Studios, one night a year sees a special live episode being broadcast from the famous Ballroom at Blackpool Tower.
Standing proudly on the Blackpool seafront, the tower is an imposing 158 m tall and welcomes over 650,000 visitors per year.
The Tower was built in 1894 and the magical ballroom with its spectacular architecture and unique sprung floor is world-famous.
There is dancing on the celebrated floor every day, and visitors can take a whirl themselves or watch others during one of the daily tea dances.
Before the celebrities even think about winning the competition, their sole aim is to get to Blackpool.
The trip is around mid-way through the competition and all the contestants covet the opportunity to perform in the iconic ballroom to show off what they’ve learned so far.
The venue is where the original Come Dancing series was filmed in the 1970s and the block wooden floor is famously springy underfoot (to reduce the impact on the dancers’ joints).
The ballroom is far larger than the BBC Strictly studio at 11 sq m, and the celebrities feel a real excitement and honour to dance there.
For the professional dancers, it’s a return to where many of them will have competed during their careers, with numerous national and international competitions being held there.
Where do the Strictly Come Dancing celebrities rehearse?
At the beginning of the competition rehearsals can be conducted anywhere that is most convenient to the celebrity – previous locations have include Manchester, Liverpool and Newcastle.
As the competition hots up they mostly rehearse in London.
Locations include the West End, Waterloo and Soho.
