Strictly Come Dancing - Live from Blackpool Tower Ballroom

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Strictly Come Dancing - Live from Blackpool Tower Ballroom

November 20, 2017 - 10:41
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Strictly Come Dancing decamped up north for its annual autumn seaside jaunt, as this weekend’s show was broadcast live from Blackpool’s iconic Tower Ballroom. It’s the spiritual home of ballroom dancing, and the hurdle that both celebrities and professionals want to reach. It’s just as exciting for the viewers, as we’re treated to an evening of high-energy performances on which no energy or expense is spared.

Debbie McGee

By Matthew Gormley @MatthewPGormley

Strictly Come Dancing decamped up north for its annual autumn seaside jaunt, as this weekend’s show was broadcast live from Blackpool’s iconic Tower Ballroom. It’s the spiritual home of ballroom dancing, and the hurdle that both celebrities and professionals want to reach. It’s just as exciting for the viewers, as we’re treated to an evening of high-energy performances on which no energy or expense is spared.

This is the eleventh time in the show’s history that the Tower Ballroom has played host to the competition, including two Grand Finals. It’s the most stunning interior, a room steeped in history and with an atmosphere so powerful it penetrates through the screen, allowing us to feel a tiny glimpse of the magic from the comfort of our sofa.

Saturday’s show began in sepia, opening with a poignant VT in which two of the professional dancers strolled across the beach and into the Tower to join the Strictly circus. At which point, the show transformed into glorious Technicolor and seamlessly drifted into a spectacular opening number, complete with jugglers, stilt walkers, a unicyclist and, of course, what remains of the ensemble cast. Production values shoot the roof for the Blackpool special, which is understandable, but this circus themed opener was a little busy. I’m sure it looked magnificent from a seat inside the Tower Ballroom, but it came across a little crowded on screen. With so much going on, you didn’t quite know where to fix your eyes.

That was a recurring theme throughout the evening. The eight remaining couples took to the enormous floor with help from a handful of backing dancers. Last year, I wrote about how I didn’t like the use of the extra dancers. Twelve months later and I’m still not sold on the idea. I was trying so hard to focus on the competing couple, but natural instinct means you want to watch the whole thing, so you inevitably end up missing aspects of their performance. It must be equally as frustrating for the judges, as the other performers shimmy and salsa around the stars.

Still, some of the routines were outstanding. Following the shock departure of Aston Merrygold, the odds-on favourite to win, a couple of weeks ago, Alexandra Burke and Debbie McGee are now the frontrunners. Alexandra’s 1930s-themed Quickstep, set to The Gold Diggers’ Song from 42nd Street, brought Hollywood glamour to the Ballroom and deservedly earned her a near-perfect score of 39. Sadly, her over-the-top and insincere reactions to the judges’ comments and scores are still ruining the moment.

For me, the standout performance of the night came from Gemma and Aljaz, who performed an elegant American Smooth to Petula Clark’s Downtown, paying homage to the famous Blackpool tram along the way. Gemma started off mediocre and has blossomed into a competent and charismatic dancer, and I’d like to see her in the Final.

Davood and Nadiya’s Paso Doble to the storming Bond theme Live And Let Die was another highlight. He flew down into the Ballroom before leading Nadiya round the floor in an incredibly fierce and passionate Paso. Meanwhile, Susan and Kevin’s attempt was boring and lacked temper and aggression. Their routine, set to Scott & Fran’s Paso Doble from the film Strictly Ballroom, was one that Kevin has wanted to do since he first joined the team in 2013. After finally being given the green light from the producers, it was a shame that Susan was unable to do it justice. She’s thrown her heart and soul into every performance, but at this critical stage, she’s the weak the link and it’s time for her to bid farewell.

Debbie McGee’s score was down on recent weeks, despite giving it her all in a Samba set to a Spice Girls mash-up. It wasn’t her best, but it certainly didn’t warrant her being in the Dance Off. She competed against Jonnie Peacock, whose Tango to the Eurythmics hits Sweet Dreams was one of his better routines, but sadly couldn’t match the efforts of the mighty McGee. He may not have been one of the strongest dancers, but I was genuinely sad to see him go. As the first Paralympian ever to appear on Strictly, he was the definition of inspirational and what he’s achieved is frankly incredible.

Sunday night’s results show opened with a spectacular Northern Soul routine, with every inch of the mammoth dance floor filled with incredibly talented shape-shifters. Michael Ball & Alfie Boe also appeared with a wonderful rendition of New York, New York, joined on the floor by the professionals in top hats and tails. What could be better on a Sunday evening?

Strictly’s annual trip to the Tower Ballroom was an impressive spectacle, with a conglomeration of thoroughly entertaining routines and a colourful selection of costumes. Kudos to the show’s incredible production team, who make the magnificent spectacle look effortless when, in reality, pulling off such an intricate live broadcast from the Tower Ballroom on a Saturday night must be a technical headache. I assume that’s why the Grand Final has only been held in Blackpool on two occasions during the show’s 14 year run. Lifting the Glitterball trophy at the Tower Ballroom would be the pinnacle of anybody’s career, but you can’t blame the bosses for choosing to stage the most important night of the competition in more familiar surroundings.

Whilst we’re already looking forward to next year’s Blackpool extravaganza, the seven remaining couples return to Elstree studios for next week’s Paso Doble-thon, when, in the style of a traditional dance championship, all couples will compete against each other on the floor at the same time. With the Grand Final just four weeks away, every little point helps.

Strictly Come Dancing continues on Saturday 25 November 2017 at 6:50pm on BBC One.