Strictly Come Dancing stars arrive in Blackpool as they prepare for spectacular special show
THE Strictly stars arrived in Blackpool today and have started rehearsals to ensure everything goes as smoothly as possible at the world famous venue this weekend.
Actor Charles Venn gave a thumbs up as he left his hotel and cricketer Graeme Swann gave a broad grin as he got out a taxi ahead of Saturday’s live episode at Blackpool Tower Ballroom.
The stars and their professional partners will leave Strictly’s usual home of Elstree Studios in Hertfordshire and film in the ballroom which is at the base of The Blackpool Tower on the seafront.
The ballroom opened in 1894 and is where the original version of the programme was filmed in the 1970s.
It is known as a special place to perform with its unique sprung dance floor and spectacular architecture.
And not only will Strictly’s stars get a chance to show off their skills there this weekend, they will also get a little extra cash for making it to this stage of the show.
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Brendan Cole wrote in his Hello! Magazine column: “Blackpool week is always a milestone for the couples.
"It's an incredible show to be a part of with a big crowd, a lot of fuss and and it's also a chance for a jolly up north. There's also a little added incentive for the celebs of a small bonus in their pay packet."
Each celebrity is given a standard £25,000 payment for signing up, but if they manage to stay on the dance floor until the end of October this rises to £40,000.
Any star that makes it to the quarter-finals sees their fee jump to £60,000.
That figure climbs to £75,000 if they last an extra week and get into the semi-finals.
Meanwhile, the Strictly winner will be paid £100,000.
Celebs can also make extra cash by signing up to the live tour, which takes place in the Spring the year after the series finishes.
However, The Strictly celebrities are not forced to reveal how much they earn after the new BBC chairman David Clementi last year backed keeping a pay loophole.
And Brendan is sad not to be taking part in the Blackpool episode after his contract was not renewed by BBC bosses earlier this year.
He said: “I for one will slightly miss being there with everyone but won't miss the countless rehearsals including the big one today [Sunday] happening as I write this piece.”
Former Pussycat Doll singer Ashley Roberts, actor Charles Venn, Steps star Faye Tozer, cricketer Graeme Swann, YouTuber Joe Sugg, newsreader Kate Silverton, para-triathlete Lauren Steadman and documentary presenter Stacey Dooley will appear.
And the stars and their pro partners will be in good hands as the BBC is going to ramp up security to keep them safe after a number of mishaps in recent years.
An anti-fracking protest is taking place in front of the Tower this weekend and show bosses want to ensure protesters keep their distance.
A Strictly insider said: “The producers were hoping they could stage this year’s Blackpool event without any mishaps. But the demonstration is something of a headache for them.
“Any protest brings with it the risk of some kind of incident, and an event as high profile as Strictly provides the protesters with a real platform.”
Beeb bosses have had to deal with numerous incidents in previous years when venturing out of London to the iconic home of British ballroom.
A BBC spokeswoman said: “We take security and the safety of our cast and crew very seriously. All our security arrangements are reviewed and adjusted accordingly for every live show.”
In 2013, thieves raided the female competitors’ dressing room at Blackpool Tower during the show’s filming, making off with jewellery, an iPad and a mobile phone.
And two years ago, professional dancer Gorka Marquez had two teeth knocked out when he was the victim of an unprovoked attack by youths in the street.
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