BBC Strictly Come Dancing star 'dragged along Blackpool beach like something out of horror film'

The stars of Strictly Come Dancing are gearing up for a showstopping performance at the illustrious Blackpool Tower Ballroom, affectionately referred to as the "Wembley of ballroom dancing" this season. The mere mention of the grand 19th-century venue, with its famous sprung floor and magnificent chandeliers, sends the professionals into a nostalgic haze.

In a nod to the 1940s, the dancers will dazzle audiences with an Argentine tango set within the ambiance of a wartime hotel, performed to the mesmerising tones of 'Tango Jalousie'. The episode will also be graced by musical legends Pet Shop Boys, who will not only deliver a medley of their classic hits alongside a performance from the Strictly professionals but also debut their latest single – a cover of Mott The Hoople's 'All The Young Dudes', originally penned by David Bowie – on Sunday's show.

Don't miss the Strictly Come Dancing: Blackpool Special, airing Saturday at 6:45 pm on BBC One and iPlayer, followed by the results show on Sunday at 7.20pm. Meanwhile, comic Chris McCausland is eager to perform in the "Wembley for ballroom dancers", and he's also planning a thrilling visit to the Pleasure Beach now that his newfound bravado has him ready for rollercoasters.

"We used to go to Blackpool a lot when I was a kid," shares Chris, 47. "I've got loads of memories of the seafront, the beach and the fairgrounds. I'd never go on rollercoasters when I was that age. I think because I could see them, they terrified me, whereas now I can't see them, I'm not bothered so I'll go on anything."

He humorously adds that he prefers the Carousel to a Ferris wheel as "I'm not in it for the view am I? " His partner Dianne Buswell, 35, reveals she "dreamed of performing in Blackpool" while growing up in Australia, and Chris chimes in: "It's something that means a lot to the professional dancers. Strictly is a two way relationship and they don't get to dance there every year with a partner because they leave at different points of the competition each year. To be able to get to Blackpool with Dianne and give her that opportunity to dance there again means more to me than me being able to go there myself.", reports the Mirror.

The duo will perform the American smooth to Paul Anka's Jump. Miranda star Sarah Hadland has mixed feelings about returning to Blackpool having been left "traumatised" there by a donkey ride as a child. "My mum took me to Blackpool when I was little," recalls the 53 year old actress.

"We got there and we did the rollercoaster, when our photograph came through everyone had their arms in the air but I'm nowhere to be seen. I'm in the brace position, probably screaming, brace, brace."

"After that, my mum took us to go on a little donkey ride on the beach. I got on a donkey but it got spooked. I swung under the donkey and was dragged with my face in the sand. This donkey was called something like Brenda. It's like something in a horror film. After that, I think I was a bit traumatised and just came home."

Sarah's partner, Vito Coppola, 32, becomes "misty-eyed" at the mere mention of Blackpool, expressing his feelings of performing "in the centre of the world" when he is there. "Every time I'm in Blackpool, I can feel the energy of years and years of dancing and all the big legends that have danced there," he shares.

Go Compare opera singer Wynne Evans appreciates the ballroom's unique sprung floor, jesting: "Anything to help with elevation and bounce is most welcome."

The 52-year-old remembers watching end of the pier shows featuring Ken Dodd, Mike Yarwood and Sir Lenny Henry, and reflects: "I know if my late parents were still alive they would've loved to be there to relive old memories with me and they would not have been able to believe that I'm dancing on the dance floor."

Partner Katya Jones, 35, expresses a heartfelt connection to the seaside town she frequents, stating it feels like "coming home" and that she's drawn to add "energy and spark" to the esteemed place. "It means a lot," she shared.

"Bringing dancing back to where it belongs with Strictly as a dancer is a big deal. It means ballroom dancing is still relevant. Knowing that Strictly has been on for 20 years and there's still so much love for it, it's a big deal. It's bringing dancing back to where it belongs."

They will deliver a Charleston performance to Carmen Suite No 1: 5 Les Toreadors by Georges Bizet. TOWIE star Pete Wicks reminisces with fondness about his visits to the seaside as a youngster. The 37-year-old reality celebrity reflects back on the simpler times saying, "We didn't have much money when I was younger, so we always went to the seaside. I really enjoyed the arcades and the lovely vibe there."

He recalls these memories ahead of the show. His dance partner Jowita Przystat, 30, seems equally taken with the local charm, having taken pleasure in the "massive portion of doughnuts" they snacked on at the Pleasure Beach. The dynamic pair will be performing the cha cha to the hit tune " the dancers bought at the Pleasure Beach. The pair will cha cha to I'm Too Sexy by Right Said Fred.Love Islander Tasha Ghouri remembers driving along the promenade as a child. " by Right Said Fred.

Love Island's Tasha Ghouri fondly recalls childhood drives along the promenade. "I remember driving down the promenade in my family's convertible car, looking at the illuminations at night with a blanket wrapped round me," she reminisces.

The 26 year old also reveals that she'll be bringing her beloved soft toy, Flat Ted, along for the journey. "I can't go anywhere without him," she admits.

"He has to be there with me – he's my good luck charm."

Her dance partner, Aljaz Skorjanec, 34, believes the ballroom gives everyone "an extra spark", something they'll be hoping for as they perform a paso doble to Nathan Lanier's 'Torn'. Meanwhile, JLS star JB Gill is optimistic that the sprung dance floor will aid his "bouncy" Quickstep to Rick Astley's 'Never Gonna Give You Up'.

The 37-year-old expresses his excitement about returning to the "electrifying" ballroom as a dancer, not a singer, and shares a childhood memory: "I remember going to lots of different seaside towns with my Great Aunt, she was always doing camps and summer excursions and we always used to get a stick of rock wherever we went to, like Skegness and Grimsby, I used to try and convince my Great Aunt that I was allowed to eat the whole stick of rock in one go."

JB has teamed up with new partner Lauren Oakley, following Amy Dowden's withdrawal due to health issues. Lauren, aged 33, is taking along her lucky charm, a teddy bear named Fred, as this marks her first time competing at the venue.

Meanwhile, Montell Douglas, Gladiator and Team GB personality, likens the Blackpool dance floor's unique springiness to an athletic track. "I'm excited about trying out something completely new, and hearing the dancers talk about sprung floors," the 38-year-old said.

She relates, "In athletics, we talk about running on a Tartan track or on a Mondo track. You have no idea what that means, but Mondo track is faster and nicer and harder, and it feels different. And I imagine it's going to be just like that dancing at Blackpool. It's probably going to feel amazing."

Johannes Radebe, 37, sees the weekend event akin to a "school trip" with excitement levels soaring. "Everyone wants to get to Blackpool so the excitement is off the scale," he observes.

The dynamic duo is set to perform a salsa to Thelma Houston’s 'Don't Leave Me This Way'. .

EastEnders actor Jamie Borthwick and Michelle Tsiakkas are committed to giving their all, promising to "leave our hearts on the dance floor" as they jive to 'The Ketchup Song (Asereje)' by Las Ketchup. Frequent visitor to the seaside resort, Jamie shares his anticipation: "Getting to Blackpool is a personal target I set myself when joining the show, so it's be a real sense of personal achievement that we're performing there," the 30-year-old actor said.

Michelle, aged 29, expressed: "I think that Blackpool is the week that everyone wants to get to, it's that milestone that we strive towards from the beginning of the show so maybe there's a little bit more pressure to get through to that week I think that it's an achievement in itself to get to Blackpool, and I think we are just going to bring that extra spark by just adding extra fun to our routine really going for it and having a good time I mean we're in Blackpool so that's the place to have fun and just leave our hearts on the dance floor."