The Strictly Come Dancing stars of 2015 have been talking about “getting to Blackpool” for weeks and weeks – and now they’ve finally made it.
The trip to the Blackpool Tower Ballroom is a Strictly tradition and is often a turning point in the BBC dancing competition as the celebrities step up their game and show off how far they’ve come.
Here are 11 of our favourites as we look back at previous years.
1. Simon Webbe and Kristina Rihanoff, 2014
An inspired song and dance combo brought together the Argentine Tango with El Tango de Roxanne from Moulin Rouge. Craig gave the dance a miserly eight, but the other judges made up for it with three 10s.
2. Judy Murray and Anton Du Beke, 2014
Delighted to still be in the competition for Blackpool, Judy enthusiastically stumbled through her Viennese Waltz to Let’s Go Fly A Kite from the musical Mary Poppins. A confused Anton couldn’t see his partner at the end – because she was flying away with a bunch of balloons, a grin plastered on her face.
3. Susanna Reid and Kevin Clifton, 2013
The Good Morning Britain host brought out her stern and aggressive side as she danced the Paso Doble to Les Toreadors from Carmen, gaining an almost-perfect score of 39.
4. Abbey Clancy and Aljaz Skorjanec, 2013
Abbey and Aljaz embraced the seaside theme, with deckchairs and a Ferris wheel. Craig might not have liked the dance as much as the others – giving it just seven – but three 10s came from the other judges for their Quickstep to Walking On Sunshine by Katrina And The Waves (despite a distinct lack of sunshine in Blackpool in November).
5. Natalie Gumede and Artem Chigvintsev, 2013
The energetic backing dancers really recreated a 1920s party vibe. An energetic and content-packed Charleston to Bang Bang by Will.i.am earned the pair of them a nine from Craig – and 10s from everyone else.
6. Harry Judd and Aliona Vilani, 2011
Harry had an amazing weekend when 2011′s final was held in Blackpool, lifting the Glitterball trophy after dancing an American Smooth (an almost-perfect 39) and an Argentine Tango (a perfect 40). The faultless Argentine Tango to Asi se Baila el Tango from Take The Lead had “authority, dominance, command, control”, Craig said. “It was filth and I loved it.”
7. Chelsee Healey and Pasha Kovalev, 2011
An assured and passionate Rumba to Because Of You by Kelly Clarkson earned a nine and three 10s (guess who gave the nine). “Baby you nailed that Rumba!” yelled Bruno, jumping from his seat. “Expressive, fluid, musical!”
8. Ann Widdecombe and Anton Du Beke, 2010
Ann’s Samba to Heaven Must Be Missing An Angel by Tavares featured one of the most creative spins seen on Strictly, as a yellow-clad Ann hopped on one foot while Anton grabbed her foot and hauled her in a circle. Later, he used her to wipe the floor – and not in the good sense of the expression. A one from Craig.
9. Pamela Stephenson and James Jordan, 2010
The older contestants sometimes struggle with stamina and flexibility on Strictly, but at the age of 60, Pamela blew the competition away with her American Smooth to Doris Day’s Perhaps, Perhaps, Perhaps.
10. Ali Bastian and Brian Fortuna, 2009
Beautiful and graceful, this Viennese Waltz to Do Right Woman, Do Right Man by Etta James earned a perfect 40 from the judges.
11. Jill Halfpenny and Darren Bennett, 2004
Used as the litmus test for Jives for series to come, Jill smashed it on the Blackpool dance floor in series 2 during the final episode. The judges had nothing but positive things to say, awarding her a score of 40 and also the Glitterball trophy.
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