Episode 40 Strictly - It Takes Two

Right, I'm on the Friday panel

and I've been tasked

with finding a host - we've not got

much time left so give me

what you've got.

I was once strapped

to the sails of a

windmill upside down.

I can make a Tracey Island using

an old cereal box

and some p.v.a glue.

It's Blackpool week, so here's a

donkey I made earlier.

Actually that's quite impressive

And what are your credentials?

Erm, I've only hosted 387 episodes.

Yeah but Radzi here made a donkey.

Fair point.

Welcome in an Zoe

welcome your host, Zoe Ball!

Hello and welcome to It Takes Two!

Where the pleasure

beach is all ours!

Yes, we can't be beside the seaside

so we've brought the seaside to us -

donkeys, deck chairs, the works.

Can I also say a massive thank

you to Gethin Jones who was

holding the fort while I was away.

Just 24 hours, 42 minutes and 44

seconds until the live Blackpool

extravaganza.

We could not be more excited.

Coming up, Kelly Brook,

Nikki Fox and Jason Manford give us

their verdict on this year's

contenders, and Mr Manford will be

singing for us, too!

Plus, let's not forget

it's Children in Need night!

We'll be speaking to three Blue

Peter legends, all in contention

for the Pudsey Glitter Ball trophy.

But now, we might be over 200 miles

south of the Tower Ballroom,

And we just so happen to know a guy

who's always in the right place

at the right time -

over to you Gethin!

Tomorrow night promises to be the

greatest show on Earth. Halloween

wasn't so scary, but this is what

they have all been focused on. They

are all in the ballroom now doing

their last-minute preparations for

the show and I will grab a word with

them. I'll see you in a bit.

CHEERING

Now, when it comes to spectacular

group numbers there's no better

setting than the Tower Ballroom,

where this weekend our pros

will recreate some of that

Northern Soul magic.

Here's a look at rehearsals

at the modern-day Blackpool Mecca.

It Takes two, get ready, because we

have a huge treat for you in

Blackpool. Something totally

different. This time, Northern Soul.

Blackpool isn't just famous for

ballroom dancing, it's one of the

original homes for Northern Soul.

Every year we are looking for

something different. We always take

people back to where things came

from. So this is an opportunity to

create a link between ballroom and

Northern Soul.

We're also getting

the involved, as well.

Blackpool

will be very full. -- also getting

the dads involved, as well.

It's

been going on since the 70s. It's

very subjective, it is how you feel

the music, there are no rules

whatsoever.

My favourite part is any

bit I'm in. I like a bit of street.

I like getting cool, down, a bit of

Northern Soul, do you know what I

mean?

My favourite part is when the

girl is in the centre just spinning

on her head. That's amazing!

This is

going to be huge. We are not even

doubling up, we are tripling up on

the amount of dancers. This could be

one of strictly bugs biggest group

numbers of all time -- Strictly's

biggest group numbers of all time.

I

will be bringing the Northern.

I'll

be bringing the soul.

See you in

Blackpool!

So, we've got beach balls,

sand castles,

and did I mention the donkey?

But if this show is missing

anything, it's three

Strictly super fans.

Put your hands together for Kelly

Brook, Nikki Fox and Jason Manford!

CHEERING

Welcome.

Jason, you're the closest thing

we've got to a Blackpool expert.

What's so special about

the Vegas of the North?

It is our Vegas. It is as close as

you can get. You've never been.

Never been. He was really selling

it.

Really?

He said forget Vegas, go

to Blackpool.

She said is it like

Margate, I said nothing is like

Margate. It has heritage. It is

where all of our old entertainers

used to go for summer season. It's a

great night out generally. It is

putting a foot in the past, I love

it.

My family went to Blackpool and

we saw Brian Conley.

Walking around?

Doing a show?

He was doing a show.

I

love that, we miss you, Brian... And

Aston, we will have to mention all

of them now.

You're going to be performing for us

at the end of the show.

What a treat.

APPLAUSE

We know you can sing,

but can you dance?

Comes up a lot on this show. There

is a difference between being able

to dance and learn choreography. I

can do that. But I wouldn't, if I

was in a wedding party, that isn't

me.

OK.

Kelly, we know you can dance!

Welcome back.

What are you making

of the current crop?

I think they are incredible. We were

watching it on Saturday. My partner

said, who is the professional, who

is the salinity? He is from France,

he didn't know, and it was

Alexandra's Argentine Tango. -- who

is the celebrity? My jaw hit the

ground. She has learnt to do that in

a week. People don't understand,

it's so difficult, every week is

like starting from scratch. Even if

you had experience...

And she is

smashing it. My cheap jacket has got

stuck...

CHUCKLES

Nikki, you're a self-confessed

Strictly nerd, what level of fandom

are we talking about here?

Do you have autographs of all of the

judges?

I am a huge fan. So my

family. They are here today.

They

are our favourite audience members,

they are very loud.

They have never

cared about anything I've ever done,

but It Takes two, they are here. I

am a huge fan. In my head, obviously

I cannot dance... Not at all, but in

my head it would be with Kevin, if I

could.

With Kevin? Dreams can come

true.

Let's take a look

at our couples now.

First up, it's Joe and Katya,

they're dancing the Salsa

to 'Ride on time'.

Often labelled a dark horse. A

unicorn.

Where is this young stallion

in the running for you?

Extra dancers, as well.

# Ride On Time - Black Box #

He stays in the middle. You don't

know which Joe is turning up.

That looks good, just there.

Are you

liking that?

CHEERING

Lots of Joe van into night. Every

contingency.

They've got a 90's theme going on.

Do you think they're

going to get the judges raving?

I think so. It looks like he is

getting all of the moves. You need

to put energy in. I love the

storytelling this year. Everything

has a good narrative. Even if they

can't do the steps, they have so

much expression.

LAUGHTER

Not naming any names.

He is a good

actor. Lastly, such a good actor,

you were just in there. That rumba.

Next up, it's Jonnie and Oti, they

were in the bottom two last week.

He was in trouble last week.

Can their Tango keep them safe?

# Sweet Dreams - Eurythmics #

Amazing team. I am a bit of a

traditionalist. -- amazing song.

He's got to bring it. He could be in

danger of being in the bottom two.

Come on, Jonnie.

This could be his

dance, though.

I thought it looked

moody.

And he is with Oti.

It is

difficult for the boys, as well,

because they have to lead the girl.

When you are a girl in the show, you

get dragged around. You get so

disorientated. I don't know where I

am, I could be in any country right

now, but the boys have to guide, so

it is harder.

It is.

# Live And Let Die - Wings #

I can see his confidence growing

every week. He looks in the zone, so

intense, I love that.

And that's

Tuesday. If he is that good on

Tuesday, imagine.

You have been

paying attention.

Alexandra and Gorka now.

Is that a positive? Here they are in

training, how is she looking?

# We're In The Money

(The Gold Digger's Song) #

It is difficult for Alexandra. She

has had the training. She has been

in the West End. But when you turn

up, it is learn it and get it done.

She has nailed it every single time.

Could it be 40 for her? She hasn't

got it yet.

I think so and so does

my mum.

What is your mum's name?

Stephanie.

Stephanie knows her

stuff. Thank you for your views, we

will be talking about the rest of

the couple 's late in the show, but

first, give it up for my panel!

CHEERING

Look who I have found, Susan,

Mollie, and Jonnie, who I know are

very excited about tomorrow night.

Susan, your Joanne Clifton's dream,

a five-year paso doble in the

making, are you nervous?

Yes, but I

am excited. It has been Kevin's

dream for more than five years, the

paso doble a from Strictly Ballroom.

I have to look at him with passion,

I had to imagine he is a bowl of

macaroni cheese.

That works. Extra

dancers, as well, how are you

dealing with that?

It is meant to be

like a come dancing competition and

they all said yes please.

Very

Strictly. Jonnie, you are used to

big stadiums, how does Blackpool

compare?

Slightly different. It's

amazing. Everybody has been talking

about it for ages. To make it here

is incredible. You feel something

special. It adds adrenaline. The

first time you walk into this

ballroom, it just adds a little bit

of fire. Hopefully we can add that

to that of the dance.

We talked

about in the week, does it work?

I

hit the roof, I put my blade on, it

is extra bouncy, so I end up in the

roof.

We wondered where had gone.

You could be flying with your

Charleston.

Yes. I don't know where

I will end up, maybe in the judges'

laps. Maybe that'll get me a better

score.

How are you managing with the

lifts?

I'm all over the place. We

managed it once. Hopefully we can do

it on the live show, fingers

crossed.

When do I get to meet Nanna

king?

She is 93. It is a bit of a

long way for her. We went to her and

gave her the Charleston in the

living room.

Thanks, guys, get back

to rehearsal. Thanks.

Love to Nanna if she is watching at

home.

Now, for this year's Children

in Need, Blue Peter presenters

past and present took to

the Strictly Ballroom

to compete for the Pudsey

Glitter Ball trophy.

Without revealing too much,

three of them are here tonight!

Please welcome Mark Curry, Anthea

Turner and Radzi Chinyanganya!

CHEERING

Mark, my favourite blue Peter

presenter. Don't take offence! We

all have our favourites.

Blue Peter is celebrating

it's 60th anniversary!

Could you diamond ju-believe it?

I was not presenting it then.

You

were not, let's make a point.

That

would have been 1958 it would have

been... Christopher Trace. Nina

Williams who was Miss Great Britain

and he got a job because the BBC

wanted everybody to be proper.

Which

all of you were.

Tim Vincent, Diane Lousie Jordan

and Konnie Huq also joined you.

What was it like getting

the old gang back together,

and for such a good cause?

It was fabulous. It was like a

meeting of the school. We couldn't

stop talking. Did we get round to

dancing? Just a little bit. It was

like trying to control the kids.

So

much to discuss, all of those

challenges, when I jumped out of a

plane...

We didn't want to compete,

we wanted to dance together, that

was the great bit.

Radzi, the year

you were born, Mark started

presenting.

You also nailed my

surname live on TV.

Thank you!

APPLAUSE

It's a beautiful surname.

How excited were you when you got

the call?

Massively, it is Children

In Need, and for Blue Peter, so yes.

You all danced together, then you

get 30 seconds each to impress the

judges.

It was the longest 30

seconds I have spent in my life!

Amazing music to dance to as well.

Jill Halfpenny did one, how great

was it to pay homage?

I was

thinking, "Energy, energy! Point!"

On the Tuesday morning, we had done

a routine, there were good lifts,

Brendan was lifting and throwing,

and I think we were going to do a

little, and I dropped her... I had

time to turn my face, and Bruce

might cheat, but she fell face

first.

Were the teeth all right?

She

went like that... One came out...

LAUGHTER

Before you tell me more stories,

here is a look at what went on

behind the scenes.

It's the Blue Peter 60th anniversary

this year, and we are performing a

jive, and competing for the Pudsey

Trophy.

We all haven't been in the

same room together for five years.

It is a lot of catching up.

I am

excited. I used to watch the show

all the time, toilet rolls,

washing-up bottles.

You know them

all then?

Yes!

I am just about to try my frock on

and, all I can say is, here is one I

made earlier.

I was excited when I

got the shoes, but now we have

got...

That is lovely, Sir, go through

there. You look fantastic.

All I can hear in my head is, "one,

two, three, four, five, six, seven,

8:.."

All the ladies might be taking up

all the seats in the make-up room.

The boys are in the corridor.

Smash

it, good luck.

Thank you, thank you,

thank you.

I find the routine fast, really

fast, it is loads of energy in a

short time.

Having kids here is the

best in the world. The energy is

fantastic, and we will love dancing

in front of them.

Live in five

minutes for our children In Need

spectacular.

I'm really looking forward to Radzi

dancing, because he's my favourite

Blue Peter presenter.

I'm like a coiled spring ready to

go.

Showtime! Children In Need time!

Tune in to see how Blue Peter gets

on in there.

Remember, keep giving!

It looks so much fun. And injuries,

Anthea.

Diane-Louise Jordan, smiling

away, cracked two rips practising a

lift. This is how dangerous it is.

Foolish! You did all sorts of

singing and dancing, but did you

ever jive, Mark?

I never jive. You

think you can dance, then when you

are working with the pros, you

realise you can't. There is so much

to it. Things like, Amy said to me,

when you put your hand on my back,

don't splay your fingers. Craig

doesn't like it.

So much to

remember. Anthea, you does with

veteran Brendan.

He said to me,

apart from bending your knees, he

said the problem is I am a show

dancer.

Charming!

I am just a bit of

a... Jazz hands.

That is how I am.

We all are. What is wrong with that?

Radzi, you have done some incredible

challenges, what is more mortifying,

jumping out of a plane or dancing

for the judges?

Dancing for the

judges, I could feel my feet when I

skydive, but not when I was dancing!

Chloe, I had to say, that girl is a

legend, and she came on Blue Peter

with AJ before Strictly Come

Dancing, dancing with her a few

years later on Strictly Come

Dancing!

Make sure you tune into

Children In Need on BBC One tonight

from 7:30 to find out who was

crowned champion. Thank you so much

to our Blue Peter stars!

General Townshend is here, what is

it like in Blackpool?

Blackpool

everything is bigger and more

spectacular. The building,

everything we do has to be bigger to

match that Golding and make the show

looked even more special.

It is not

just due in the corner of the studio

on your own, how many in the team?

Five technicians working alongside

me, and yeah, it is a good team. We

have to work hard together.

Busy for

everyone. What have you been

rehearsing so far?

We have look at

Davood's number, where he is James

Bond. We have helped him with a

flame sequence to go with that. He

has seven flame units on the floor,

chasing, and doing nice things.

It

enhances all the performances. The

couples in general react to it.

It

really lifts them. It makes

everything feel more special. When

we tell people we have pyrotechnics,

they love it. It punctuates their

routine and makes it more special.

One thing you do as a department is

made a massive mess. Who cleaned it

up?

That is asked as well. We make

the mess and we have one minute and

20 seconds to clear it up. What you

don't see is the moment when we go

across to the judges, and they say

what they thought of the dance. We

are crawling underneath the cameras

with brooms, clearing up the

confetti. You need a wide shot to

see us, but it is good you do not

see us.

There are no stairs either.

Claudia's area is on the same level,

and we are literally on our Tom

Eaves clearing confetti away.

Show

me quickly how it all works very

quickly. Is this the headquarters?

This is a wireless firing system, it

does everything from hand-held

pyrotechnics, the flaming system, to

the Pyro at the end of the numbers.

All we do...

There is a key as well.

It doesn't fire unless you have the

key. You pop the key in, turn it,

and we get a red button.

The red

button is flashing, and if I press

that, it all goes up!

It does.

Close

it, it is too worrying for me. I

could have spoiled everything then.

The stage may almost be set

for the main event, but how's

the dancing coming along?

Time to check in with Joe, Mollie,

Gemma and Susan as they prepare for

the biggest night of their lives!

We are doing salsa. It is an

ambitious routine. The thing that is

challenging is being on the right

foot.

The other leg!

Not an easy dance for a man because

of the leading.

You have to think, when you lift,

push me away.

He's got to know his steps, my

steps.

A bit more precise.

To lead me into the right direction.

Watch me turn.

It is full of energy. If we can pull

it off, it will be quite something.

Yes, good!

The charleston is really fast. There

is so much to learn. Your mind feels

it is going 100 mph.

Technically, it is difficult. The

routine is complex. The main thing

for Wally is to get the swivels of

the feed.

It is OK when you are in

the swing of it, but sometimes, my

feet had to cross but my arms Cross

instead.

Oh, in front of the body.

You have to focus but looked like

you are naturally doing it.

There it is! There it is, baby!

This week, we are dancing the

American Smooth. It is a pace I feel

I can do.

Gemma is really taking on

board all of my tips about the

business, and how to focus and what

to look at.

My eyes have to look over the

rainbow from one side to the other.

Over the rainbow, over the rainbow.

It is keeping the momentum going for

the whole dance, so it glides

through.

It is the first time I feel relaxed.

I may be enjoyed ballroom...

That is a proud face, boom!

Paso doble is about styling and

shaping. You have to fill the

ballroom with your presence, and it

is about posture and how you hold

yourself.

The paso doble is a strong dance, I

had to be strong throughout it. I

didn't know the muscles in my four

arms could hurt so much!

It is elongated and powerful, and

slightly arrogant.

There, posture.

I love the feeling

of the paso doble.

Standing in the towel ballroom doing

that, it will be incredible.

Now, dancers come and go around

these parts, but along with a fella

named Anton Du Beke there's

one man who's been lighting up

the Strictly dance floor

from the very start.

It's time for

Brendan Cole's Strictly CV.

Couple number one, Natasha Kaplinsky

and her partner Brendan Cole,

please, come to the floor.

I did the very first dance on the

very first Strictly Come Dancing

ever.

My first ever partner, the lovely

Natasha Kaplinsky, wow. We had some

fantastic moments.

At first, the dance we did was the

cha-cha-cha. It was exciting and

exhilarating.

The first feedback from the judges.

For the most part, it was really

positive.

I think it's fantastic.

Go for it,

girl! Go for it!

Then we get the fell on the end,

what does he know?

Natasha, I am afraid I don't agree

with the other judges. I thought you

were dull, dull, dull.

I thought,

get out of here!

Making the final with Natasha is a

highlight of my career.

The winners of Strictly Come Dancing

are... Natasha and Brendan.

The elation of winning was

spectacular. I remember the stuff

coming down, and the feeling of

euphoria.

What a way to start Strictly Come

Dancing.

Kelly Brook, what a natural

performer. One of the best answer is

to enter the Strictly arena. One

week stands out in particular, we

did the American Smooth. It was

effortless, it had beauty and magic.

You get a partnership that gels, you

can do so much in this competition.

We finished the dance, we both

looked at each other and went, wow.

It was almost perfect.

Unfortunately, it did have to come

to an end with the sad passing of

Kelly's father, so she withdrew from

the competition.

Without a doubt, Kelly could have

gone all the way in that

competition. For me, that is the

series that really got away.

The lovely Lisa Snowdon, what a

girl. It was pretty epic.

We were quite often in the dance

off.

This is the moment of truth...

When you are in a dance of

situation, there are so me? That

enter your heads. Are people voting

for me? Are we doing the right

thing? I think Lisa dealt with these

things Brearley, and that's probably

why we made the final.

It was a feeling of, wow, we are

here now, let's do this. Best do

this for each other.

Ten! We were

the first couple to score perfect

scores in both our final dancers.

Victoria Pendleton and Brendan Cole!

Victoria had just won gold. She was

coming in and starting from scratch.

It was a very hard task.

It pains me

to say, but it didn't quite make it

to Spain, the bike.

I learnt a lot

about myself as a coach, a friend,

and support network, which we are on

Strictly. It wasn't easy to give her

exactly what she needed to go about

and perform on a Saturday night.

I

just blew it so much.

It doesn't

matter.

I'm so sorry.

It's one of

the toughest challenges I've ever

faced on Strictly.

Sophie, your

partner is Brendan!

In series 11

with the wonderful Sophie. I loved

that series from start to finish.

Every single dance we I walked off

the floor thinking was amazing. --

every single dance we did. The mood

and the setting was perfect for the

Argentine Tango. The energy started

from before we had even danced. It

was so powerful. And it continued

right until that very last bit, we

hit the floor, and it gave me

tingles. The fact we made it all the

way through to the final, that was

just the icing on the cake. The

euphoria you have, and that feeling

of, wow, that was special, you

cannot create anywhere else in life,

only on the dance floor and Strictly

allows us to do that. When you

finish with your partner it can be a

really tough thing. 15 series of

Strictly. It has been euphoric. It

has been tough. It is my life. I'm

very proud to have been a part of

every single second of it.

CHEERING

Was in that wonderful. I love that.

"One of the best dancers who has

ever entered the Strictly arena",

what's it like to hear that?

I got really emotional. We had such

an amazing relationship. Such an

extraordinary journey together. It

is ten years ago nearly. At the time

he said I want you to wake up on

Sunday and look back at what you did

and be proud of yourself. I look

back now. I'm so proud of what we

achieved. Honestly. The dancers work

so hard. It is something that stays

with you for life.

And it's so

lovely to see you dancing again. So

good!

Now, if Brendan's CV tells us

anything, it's that the Strictly

journey is a veritable

"roller-coaster of emotions".

So, in keeping with the Blackpool

theme it's time to play a

game inspired by that very metaphor.

I give you the It Takes Two

Emotional Rollercoaster Game!

CHEERING

There you all are!

The aim of the game is to get as far

along the roller-coaster as you can.

I'm going to read out a judge's

comment and to move up and down

all you have to do

is correctly identify

the celebrity

they're talking about.

Little hint, it is only celebrities

left.

You each have a buzzer.

I have a buzzer and I'm not afraid

to use it, and I'm not too disabled

to use

CHUCKLES

There you go. Jason... Sorry about

that.

I am scared.

Time's up when you this sound...

So it's fastest finger first.

Let's begin...

This came from Craig, he said...

"Dull, dull, dull..."

Who was it about?

Peacock?

It was,

off she goes. How very rude of him.

Shirley said...

"I'm going to give

you my 'Queen of Latin'

crown because you deserve it.

You were fantastic..."

Debbie. Indeed. Our next quote from

Bruno...

"I loved the way you channelled

your dramatic persona,

oh she had a kind of spout

and a snarl in the face, it was like

watching Suranne Jones

in Doctor Foster."

Susan?

It was Susan in the tango.

You are so good at this.

Bruno

said...

"There was the twinkle

of the eye of Gene Kelly,

the strength of the Incredible Hulk

and the performance value

of Fred Astaire."

Davood? It was. Next, Craig said...

"Well, I thought my ride on my mower

at home had more grace

and elegance to be honest."

Well out of order, it was about

Susan again.

It was.

Live it.

Naughty Craig. Darcey said...

"You gave me tingles down my back,

that was extraordinary,

you are on par with

your professional,

I don't think I've ever seen a tango

like that from a celebrity."

Debbie?

It does. Bruno said...

"I think what happened is

you launched your boat

on the wrong tide, and you looked

like you were walking

the plank at times."

Joe? Are you even watching the

series.

I've got stage fright.

It

was Jonnie, sorry, it was Jonnie,

you must go back one. I've broken

the game.

I got it wrong?

I got it

wrong. We are all wrong. Craig

said...

"There wasn't enough Rumba

in there really for us,

but personally, I could sit

and watch that at home

every day, darling."

Who was that about?

Joe?

It wasn't.

Anyone else?

Davood?

Yes.

That is

who I meant.

Darcey Said...

"You gave us all the charm

of all the silent movies,

never cheesy, amazing acting,

really kept in character

all the way through."

The game is up, which means Jason is

the winner. Kelly is furious. You

are all brilliant, so you can all

have a stick of rock. No expense

spared. William. Friday panel!

CHEERING

Ok, earlier today,

Gethin caught up with

Gemma and Darvood in an undisclosed

location in the Tower Ballroom.

Let's see what he uncovered.

I have found Davood van der Merwe in

wardrobe. First come happy birthday.

-- I have found Davood and Gemma in

wardrobe, first of all, happy

birthday.

We are in the tower, it's

amazing, I've never been here

before. Walking in this morning, it

looks like, you know beauty and the

beast? The big ballroom?

That is

what you and Aljaz remind me.

CHUCKLES

Blackpool is a big night. We are in

wardrobe. Have you your outfit? I

have, looks amazing.

I haven't seen

it, is it nice?

Is it a pair of

trainers and a hoodie?

I'm looking

to it.

You have done rehearsal, how was it?

The first bit is a bit hairy.

Yes,

bit nervous. I'm glad it isn't just

me. It is a wonderful arena. But it

is nervy, there is something about

it.

Is it the bouncy floor?

The size

of it, the fact you are not used to

the floor. It is slippery. When we

did our dance, my hold went every

single time.

It should be out here.

It is the emotional shoulders.

I

have very emotional shoulders.

You

just tensed up?

It is safer like

this. We have had a bad one in

rehearsal, so hopefully we just have

the good ones left.

Everybody

supporting you tomorrow night.

Everybody will become even the kids

this time, hopefully as much as

Jonnie this week, but we shall see.

Good luck tomorrow, thank you for

your time.

Thank you.

Thank you.

What's your problem?

Now, Blackpool isn't just known

for its donkey rides

and amusement arcades, it's

got a wonderful history of Ballroom.

But why is dancing so special

in the Vegas of the North?

We sent Joanne Clifton to find out.

Who has eaten the props?

CHEERING

Strictly has packed its bags and is

heading for the sandy shores of

Blackpool. For a weekend of sun,

sea, and ballroom dancing. But what

is it that makes this place such a

special fixture in the Strictly

calendar? Blackpool is steeped in

dance history and home to not one

but two of the most iconic ballrooms

in the country, the Empress

ballroom, and the Tower ballroom.

The first open its doors was the

Empress ballroom at the Winter

Gardens. With its barrel ceiling and

a floor area of 12,500 square feet

it was one of the largest and most

magnificent ballrooms in the world

when it opened in 1896. Competitive

ballroom dancing was born right here

at the Winter Gardens won the first

ever Blackpool dance festival was

staged in 1920. For nine days,

dancers from over 60 different

countries compete, making it one of

the biggest ballroom and Latin dance

contest in the world. And it is a

place which is particularly

important to me because it is where

Kevin and I won two British

championships together. In order to

compete with the newly opened

Empress Ball, the owners of the

Blackpool Tower commissioned Frank

match to design what would become a

beacon of British ballroom dancing,

the Blackpool Tower ballroom.

The ballroom has a custom-built

sprung floor that consists of over

30,000 individual pieces of

mahogany, walnut, and oak which suit

a number of different dance styles.

It was once described as the

greatest social mix in the land

because of its ability to bring

people from all social classes

together in one place. It estimated

that over 100 million people have

walked their way across this dance

floor within the first 40 years its

opening. -- waltzed their way

across. Those who have danced in

this ballroom traditionally would

have danced to organ music. With the

Tower ballroom's Wurlitzer being

almost as famous as the ballroom

itself. Reginald Dixon played a big

part in popularising organ music

during his time at the Tower from

1930 to 1970. He was a hugely

popular musician who grew to be

known affectionately as Mr

Blackpool. The organ that stands

here in the Tower ballroom today is

the same one that was made to

Reginald's exact specifications in

1935.

The ballroom is still open to the

public with tea dances held every

day, which means anyone, young or

old, can come to this amazing dance

space and experience it for

themselves. Two people who have done

just that are David and Sue. They've

been coming here to dance for the

last ten years. Do you have any

special memories of dancing here?

We

came for an event and Len Goodman

was here. He was dancing -- I was

dancing with Dave, he tapped Dave on

the shoulder and I danced a foxtrot

with him. That's amazing.

I thought

you were going to say that he tapped

you on the shoulder and said seven!

CHUCKLES

Strictly is coming to town very

soon. How excited are you?

Vary, the

town is buzzing, because everybody

enjoys Strictly coming to Blackpool,

because it is the mecca of dance.

I

have one last question. Am I allowed

to steal Dave for a little dance?

Certainly.

Come on, then.

CHUCKLES

With such a rich and vibrant dance

history it easy to see how Blackpool

became the home of ballroom dancing.

And why it is now Strictly's home

away from home.

CHEERING

Thanks so much. Beautiful.

Right, let's head back over

to the only place to be

this weekend, where Gethin Jones

has made himself right at home,

and he's got company.

The next time these guys will be

here they will be hoping for good

comments from the judges. Fingers

crossed. Debbie, it will be the

samba for you, but I feel like

nobody has found samba history as

funny as you two.

I know, but every

week is funny in our rehearsals and

training. But this week has been

particularly. I cannot say why. It

is just the fact I am playing a

Spice Girl. Wait until you see it,

I'm sure you will be laughing.

I

know this place is special to you.

What is it like now you are here?

Better than I was thinking. I

haven't been here a long time.

Walking in this morning, the room is

so magnificent. No other word. The

fact all of this Strictly

adornments, all of the crew are

here, it's exciting, I will wear

myself out saying hello and talking

to everybody.

The first thing you

did here, gawker took you to the

gym, how about that?

Exactly. --

Gorka to you. We also went to the

amusement arcade and we were big

kids for a bit. It was nice to come

out of London. Come to this

spectacular place. This building is

so beautiful. What a privilege and

an honour to make it this far and

perform here.

We have seen a sketch

of the dress, how is it looking?

I

love it. I saw it this morning. It

is white, I'm like a little fairy,

it is cute. They always pull out all

of the stops in wardrobe, massive

thanks to them.

Where is your

T-shirt? Has there been enough

practice and progress?

We are always

practising and progressing. I don't

have the T-shirt right now.

You have

a very prominent role in your dance.

I do. When it was being put

together, it was amazing. To make it

to Blackpool, we are so pleased to

be here.

So many people on the dance

floor for the group dance.

There are

tonnes of them. They are all

amazing.

Definitely worth the watch.

Good luck for tonight and tomorrow.

They are giddy with excitement, and

so are we.

Now, it's no mean feat to make it

to the Tower Ballroom,

but what have been the biggest

challenges our couples have faced?

Let's hear from our

Blackpool stars themselves.

I think my biggest challenge on the

show has just been the nerves, being

up there waiting to go on, knowing

you are on next. Then thinking, I am

going to go out and mess it up, and

feeling the fear.

The biggest challenge of my Strictly

Come Dancing journey has been

learning to dance.

It's tough being graceful, it's

tough being elegant. It's tough.

During the American Smooth, when I

actually didn't think I knew the

steps. Nadiya said I do know the

steps, and we are going to go out

and enjoy it.

The biggest part of my journey so

far has actually been last weekend,

when I saw that people had voted for

us to go through. You have that

moment thinking, oh, people do want

to see our stance, because I think

when you are in the dance off twice,

it is hard to pick yourself up from.

Every single week I drive myself

crazy with anxiety and worry, and

fear, that something is going to go

wrong before the dance. Aljaz is the

sole person on the show who I 1000%

trust and believe in. When he says

to me, I could have done that

better, I know I could. When he says

how proud he is, I know he is proud.

Feeling like it's gone well, and

having to go to the dance off was

not a nicely on, but it was

definitely an experience, and a good

opportunity, too, to show that we

could improve on that dance.

When Gorka and I were doing the

Argentine tango, there was a point

in the rehearsal where I did not

recognise my sock, because I was so

upset and frustrated in myself.

Gorka says to me, stop putting us

down. For me, it is really hard not

to do that.

I wake up in the middle of the night

doing whatever dance I'm doing that

week. Getting over the biggest

hurdles and challenges every week,

it's really hard.

Stop, it's been an emotional week!

Please welcome back my Friday Panel!

We will carry on where we left off.

Starting with Susan and Kevin.

They're dancing a Paso

inspired by the movie

Strictly Ballroom.

This could be what legends are made

of, surely?

Is one of my favourite

movies.

Flash Gordon.

Stricker

ballroom, I love this and I... It is

going to be incredible. Susan is

going to be amazing. I have asked

Jason to be my friend, so I can

become Susan's friend.

Just to get

to her! He looked terrified! He ran

off, no, I love her. Mr Clifton's

vision of five years to get this on

the show, Jason, what do you think?

That is a big weight on your

shoulders. But he couldn't have

anyone better with him. I adore

Susan from the comedy circuit, I

have known her for many years.

Watching her, she did not think she

would still be in it when it got to

Blackpool. She is the biggest

improver from show number one until

now.

And still joyous.

Next, it's Mollie and AJ.

They're dancing the Charleston.

Here they are rehearsing. Kelly, how

is she looking? Has it got the right

amount of swivel for you?

Yes. She

was great in the jive. You can see

she is enjoying it and she is super

comfortable. She is great in these

dances, because she has so much

energy. When she is the sexy zone,

she gets self-conscious. She has to

forget that and have fun.

I'm like

that when I am in my sexy zone.

She

is a sexy girl, but when you perform

like that, you are out of your

comfort zone! Rumba is terrifying.

If you can have fun, you can have a

laugh.

Onto Gemma and Aljaz,

they're doing the American Smooth.

MUSIC: "Downtown" by Petula Clark

Here they are. It was her birthday

yesterday, she is a local lass. It

is a good one for her.

I don't know

how she is fitting it in. I listened

to her on the radio, the Breakfast

Show.

Early start.

I do not know how

she fits it in. She is doing

unbelievably well. She looks great,

she's such a laugh, and it's been

great to watch her every week.

She

is joyous as well. And American

Smooth, Kelly, you were so good at

this dance, you are an expert, how

does it look?

It was my favourite

dance. Looking at her there, her

whole is just unbelievable. She

looks like a professional. It is so

hard to not look where you are going

and keep the line. She licks

incredible. It is absolutely my

favourite dance.

Debbie and Giovanni

doing the Samba, she is being a

Spice Girl.

Are her samba rolls

spicing up your life?

MUSIC: "Who Do You Think You Are?"

by The Spice Girls

Debbie is one of my favourites, I am

a Debbie fan. I have never extended

my leg like she extends her leg. She

is incredible and I know she is not

as comfortable with these dances,

but she is so amazing. She trains so

hard. I absolutely love her. She is

one of my favourites.

The judges picked up a couple

of mistakes in her Salsa last week.

She picks up and recovers so

quickly. How does it look to you?

She sets the bar so high, they had

to find something wrong to say

something sometimes with Debbie.

That's what has happened, the judges

are guilty of trying to find

something to say.

She made the Tango

look effortless, didn't she.

When

she did the tango...

She made it

look easy!

I hate to ask the

question, but we must, who could be

having their last arms this weekend

in Blackpool? Nikki?

I think Mollie

has been unfairly in the bottom two,

but I think she might go out. But I

don't want anyone.

I don't want it

to be Susan, she does so well. And

she is full of life, so I think

Jonnie as well.

Kelly?

I don't know.

Aston went out, you just don't know.

How can you call it? Sorry!

Let's hear it for our Friday panel!

Time now to head back oop North,

where Gethin has found some

pros to play with.

I'm here with three of Strictly's

all-time pros, a wise man once

said...

It's not all fun and games.

He was wrong because he has never

played Blackpool ping pong. We have

ping pong and cups with names on

them. They correspond to questions

and we want answers. Who is first?

Gentleman first, Pasha, get the ping

pong in a cup. Come on. This is it.

Oh!

Oh!

It's a high octane game.

Number three is, which celebrity has

surprised you most this season?

Gigi.

Didn't go to plan?

I was

hoping to be here in Blackpool with

her, but now I am playing ping-pong.

New balls, please. Thank you. Off

you go.

Hit me! Too Farke! Hit me!

Still drinking her copy.

Hit me baby

one more time.

I thought she would be better at

this.

Pasha!

Number two, which judge would

you most like to be partnered with

for a routine?

None of them! Just

kidding! I will pick Craig.

I would

like to see that, Craig and Karen,

take the dance floor. Janette, new

balls please.

Off you go. I feel good about this.

No, I didn't.

How are you finding

the game so far? What number was

that?

Number two. We have had that. Number

one, Kevin is dancing his dream

concept from the movie Strictly

Ballroom Centres By, What Would

Yours Be?

Bandwagon, Red Dress, Fred

Astaire, White Suit. .

Not that you

have thought about that much...

Pasha, you are back in. New balls.

Thank you. Family cups left?

I am

wasting my whole life...

I want to

see it next year. Last ball.

We will give you that. Last one, if

you could have been partnered with

any celebrity this season, who would

it have been?

Gigi.

That will do. We

are getting rid of ball boys, where

is the cake? Happy birthday,

Janette. Back to you, Zoe.

That's all we have time for tonight!

Thanks to all my guests.

Don't miss the Blackpool Strictly

Extravaganza tomorrow night with

Tess and Claud at 6:.45 on BBC One.

I'll be back on Monday with the next

couple to leave the competition.

But now, singing us out

with The Impossible Dream,

it's Jason Manford.

# To dream the impossible dream

# To fight the unbeatable foe

# To bear with unbearable sorrow

# To run where the brave dare not go

# To right the unrightable wrong

# To love pure and chaste from afar

# To try when your

arms are too weary

# To reach the unreachable star

# This is my quest

to follow that star

# No matter how hopeless,

no matter how far

# To fight for the right

without question or pause

# To be willing to march into Hell

for a heavenly cause

# And I know if I'll only be true

# To this glorious quest

# That my heart will

lie peaceful and calm

# When I'm laid to my rest

# And the world will

be better for this

# That one man,

scorned and covered with scars

# Still strove

with his last ounce of courage

# To reach the unreachable stars

# And the world will be

better for this

# That one man,

scorned and covered with scars

# Still strove with his

last ounce of courage

# To reach the unreachable stars. #

CHEERING AND APPLAUSE

Thank you very much, thank you.