What time is BBC Strictly Come Dancing on tonight? Start time of Blackpool special

The celebrities of Strictly Come Dancing take to the iconic dancefloor at Blackpool Tower tonight to impress the judges leaving them one step closer to holding the Glitterball

With just weeks until the final of Strictly Come Dancing, it's that time of year again when the professional dancers and remaining celebrities strut their stuff in Blackpool.

Every year, the contestants perform to a live audience with their pro partner to execute their rehearsed performance with utter precision - in the hope of impressing the judges at Blackpool Tower Ballroom. The legendary venue has seen a host of dancers over years, dance the American Smooth and the Tango, including judge Shirley Ballas.

What times does the show start on BBC One?

And this year, viewers can witness the competition heat up on BBC and iPlayer tonight from 6.45pm. Ahead of tonight's performance, the broadcaster asked some of the celebrities of their thoughts on dancing at the iconic venue, which is seeped in dance history.

Speaking to JB Gill of JLS, he recalled: "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!"

Known for it's sprung floor may leave the celebrities slightly daunted as it will be a new experience for them. But this does not appear to faze JB, who is dancing the Quickstep tonight. He continued: "Obviously a sprung floor is always good, and I'm doing a Quickstep which is quite bouncy I believe! So many incredible people have danced on the iconic Blackpool ballroom floor. World Championships have been won there. "

He then went on to say: "I’ve performed there as part of JLS as well so it's going to be nice to be back there dancing instead of singing and taking in that incredible atmosphere because I think there's more people in the audience compared to the Elstree studio so it's going to be an amazing atmosphere."

And when asked why Blackpool Tower Ballroom holds so much legendary status in the "world of dance", he was quick to say: "I think it will be just the prestige of it and whenever you get a venue or a place that has so much history people have expectation of something that's going to be great. I'd love to be able to make my own little bit of history." Meanwhile, for professional dancer Johannes Redebe, the venue holds more weight as when he used to compete on a professional level, he could not afford to travel to the UK.

When asked what dancing in Blackpool meant to him, he replied: "Blackpool is the home of Ballroom. It’s always special to dance at Blackpool and Strictly gave me the opportunity. When I was competing, we couldn’t afford to travel to the UK. So to be dancing in Strictly’s 20th Anniversary is a double honour."

What are the dances?

Montell and Johannes Salsa to Don’t Leave Me This Way by Thelma Houston
Sarah and Vito Couple’s Choice to Padam Padam by Kylie Minogue
Tasha and Aljaz Paso Doble to Torn by Nathan Lanier
Chris and Dianne American Smooth to Jump by Paul Anka
Jamie and Michelle Jive to The Ketchup Song (Aserejé) by Las Ketchup
JB and Lauren Quickstep to Never Gonna Give You Up by Rick Astley
Pete and Jowita Cha Cha to I’m Too Sexy by Right Said Fred
Wynne and Katya Charleston to Carmen Suite No.1: 5.Les toréadors by Georges Bizet

When is the results show on?

Find out who is in the dance off and who has been sent home on Sunday night. The results show will air at 7.20pm on BBC One with the result declared just before 8pm.

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