Strictly Come Dancing Blackpool: Hamza Yassin and Jowita Przystal open the show

Strictly Come Dancing returned to screens on Saturday night for its ninth live show, as the show returned to Blackpool Tower for the first time in three years for the programme’s iconic annual trip to the coastal town.

The show opened with a performance by the show’s professional dancers, surrounded by neon signs reading ‘Blackpool is Back’ – before judges Shirley Ballas, Craig Revel Horwood, Motsi Mabuse and Anton Du Beke took the stage to join the dance .

Hamza Yassin was the first to perform in the iconic ballroom with his partner Jowita Przystal, when the pair recorded an American Smooth to Frank Sinatra’s iconic 1979 hit New York, New York.

Strictly Come Dancing Blackpool: Hamza Yassin and Jowita Przystal open the show with an American Smooth as stars RETURN to the iconic Tower ballroom for the first time in three years

And it was an impressive start for the pair, as Shirley called the wildlife photographer the “one to beat” as he stepped out in a tailcoat and bow tie ensemble.

“Hamza, you shone brighter than all the baubles and beads and bracelets in the world. You give Blackpool so much respect, your footwork, you’ve dedicated yourself to little details. Even if it’s Blackpool, you’re cool as a cucumber. You are the one who has to knock for me,” said the chief judge.

While Anton was ready to jump on stage with them, as he said, “People ask if I miss dancing, that’s the dance I’d like to do.” Welcome to Blackpool everyone, excellent.’

And while Craig typically had some critics, he called it “spectacular,” sharing, “I wasn’t crazy about your solo jazz section, but the timing, footwork, and moves were absolutely spectacular.”

“No matter what they throw at you, you perform brilliantly. It shows that you are in complete control of yourself, your partner and this ballroom,” Motsi repeated.

Looking good: Jowita looked stunning in a feather-lined baby blue dress, while Hamze spun her on stage in a tailcoat

And after Hamza described the performance as ‘an absolute honour’, he managed a score of 38 as both Craig and Motsi awarded nine points, while Shirley and Anton awarded ten.

Molly Rainford and partner Carlos Gu lined up next to the dance floor with a Jive to American Bandstand (Bandstand Boogie), as Claudia said they “nailed it.”

Anton was quick to agree: “Absolutely great. It’s clean, it’s timed perfectly. Keep it up, great dance – well done.’

‘It has to be a bit lighter, of course you dance next to a professional. But what I love about you is that you absolutely sell the dance,” Craig said.

Motsi and Shirley also had positive comments about the couple, with the latter sharing, “I hope we all appreciate how good that jive was.”

Backstage after the dance, Molly told Tess, “We go to Elstree every week and it feels like a TV show, but here it just feels like we have to dance,” said the star, who is the youngest contestant. , while partner Carlos called the performance a highlight in my life’.

Craig awarded Molly an 8, while taking nine points from each of the other judges, putting her behind Hamza by 35 points.

Kym Marsh and Graziano Di Prima then took a Paso Doble to a cover of Rihanna’s Only Girl In The World, with the soap star stunning in a bright purple dress.

As usual, hosts Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman put on a glamorous show, with Claudia donning a feather bust jumpsuit, while co-host Tess opted for a bright green fitted dress.

It comes after Fleur East and partner Vito Coppola topped the leaderboard last week with 39 points out of a possible 40.

And without a dance-off last week also saw Tony Adams sensationally exit the competition with an apparent hamstring injury, losing his place.