Entertainment
Strictly Come Dancing confirms Blackpool return after two-year absence ahead of 20th anniversary-Stella Akinwumi-Entertainment – Metro
The special has been axed for the last two years.
Yes, the celebs will return to Blackpool (Picture: PA)
Strictly Come Dancing will be returning to the iconic Blackpool Tower Ballroom to celebrate the 20th series.
The hit BBC programme has been forced to cancel Blackpool week for two years running due to Covid-19, and now thanks to a shiny new overhaul, it has been transformed to its former glory and will welcome more memorable routines.
Over the past few weeks, fans of the dance competition have discovered which celebrities are going to be in the line-up, with stars including EastEnders actor James Bye, singer Fleur East, actress Kym Marsh, presenter Helen Skelton, and footballing legend Tony Adams joining the ranks.
Blackpool week is always a highlight in the calendar for Strictly fans, with backing dancers joining our stars for their routines for the first time to help fill the ginormous stage of the Tower Ballroom.
In a statement, show bosses revealed that the launch show will be recorded on Wednesday September 7, and is likely to air on Saturday September 10 with presenters Claudia Winkleman and Tess Daly welcoming the new this year’s line-up.
They wrote: ‘Dust off your dancing shoes, Strictly Come Dancing is back!
Blackpool has been a Strictly series highlight (Picture: PA)
Strictly Come Dancing returns in a matter of weeks (Picture: PA)
‘The stunning 20th series returns, bringing glamour and show-stopping dancing back to Saturday nights on BBC One – and we’re extremely excited to be able to welcome an audience back to the studio for this year’s shows.’
During Saturday’s installment of The Big Breakfast, host and 2021 quarter-finalist AJ Odudu excitedly revealed that the new season will commence on Saturday September 17.
The pro dancers are also set to perform what we know will be a stunning routine for BBC 100 themed week alongside returning favourites like Movie/Halloween and the beloved Musicals week.
This year’s series will see a lot of change, as Anton Du Beke officially joins the judging panel to replace Bruno Tonioli, sitting alongside Craig Revel Horwood, Motsi Mabuse and head judge Shirley Ballas once more.
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The celebrity line-up this year includes singer Molly Rainford, Ted Lasso actress Ellie Taylor, Paralympic swimming gold medallist Ellie Simmonds, Two Pints Of Lager And A Packet Of Crisps actor Will Mellor, and Loose Women star Kaye Adams .
They are joined by Bros singer Matt Goss, Kiss radio host Tyler West, comedian and actress Jayde Adams, Wildlife cameraman and presenter Hamza Yassin and BBC Radio 2’s Richie Anderson.
Strictly Come Dancing is set to launch on Saturday September 17 on BBC One and BBC iPlayer.
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