Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman bundle up in chic coats as they arrive at Blackpool Tower ahead of Strictly special
Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman mirrored each other in chic wool coats as they arrived at Blackpool Tower on Saturday evening ahead of the Strictly Special.
Tess, 54, wore a cream coat and wore a black Adidas zip-up sweater as she went for hair and make-up for the show.
The presenter flashed a big smile as she waved to the camera as she made her way to the building.
Tess’ co-star Claudia, 51, wore her signature orange tan as she donned a camel coat and gray fingerless gloves.
Couple: Tess Daly, 54, and Claudia Winkleman mirrored each other in chic looks as they arrived at Blackpool Tower ahead of a new Strictly Come Dancing episode on Saturday night
Strictly judge Anton Du Beke looked excited as he was also spotted in the studios ahead of the show, which is a crucial moment for the stars taking part in the series this year.
The ballroom professional, 57, looked suave in a navy blue jacket and pigeon trousers as he cheered for the camera.
Earlier in the day, Nikita Kuzmin was also seen in Blackpool, stepping out with his new flame Lauren Jaine during a fun outing.
As the Strictly stars prepare for their performance at the Blackpool Tower Ballroom on Saturday, it seems there is a Strictly curse that the contestants are hoping to avoid.
Unlike the infamous curse that sees couples fall for each other, this new curse involves the rankings on the show’s iconic night.
Based on past results, whoever tops the Blackpool leaderboard is unlikely to lift the glitterball trophy in the show’s final.
In 19 years, only two dancers in the history of Strictly Come Dancing have won the show after coming out on top.
They are Jill Halfpenny in 2004, and Kelvin Fletcher in 2019.
Stylish: The model turned presenter wore a cream coat and wore a black Adidas zip-up sweater
Glowing: Tess smiled hugely as she waved at the camera as she made her way to the building
Cheerful: Strictly judge Anton Du Beke looked excited as he was also spotted in the studios ahead of the show
Making an entrance: The ballroom professional, 57, looked suave in a navy blue jacket and pigeon trousers as he cheered for the camera
Lovebirds: Nadiya Bychkova and Kai Widdrington arrived hand in hand
Keep dancing! Giovanni Pernice, who is no longer competing after his dance partner Amanda Abbington pulled out of the show, gave a thumbs up as he passed excited fans
Caffeine kick: Nadiya fueled up with a Starbucks coffee as she headed to Blackpool Tower
Boost: Nikita Kuzmin also had a cup of coffee in hand and a bronzed tan when he arrived
Staying warm: Nancy Xu, who came first in the competition with her partner Les Dennis, wrapped warm in a yellow beanie and puffer jacket
Windy: Former Strictly contestant Sara Davis (left) and snowboarder Aimee Fuller (right) sheltered from the rain as they arrived
All stars: Former Strictly contestant Gemma Atkinson wrapped in a black coat as she stood outside the ballroom
Dressed to impress: Former Coronation Street actress Brooke Vincent dressed in an all-black outfit as she arrived
As the competition heats up, bookmakers William Hill predict Layton William’s will secure its first perfect 40 on Saturday evening, with Craig Revel Horwood finally bringing out his ’10’ paddle.
A spokesman for William Hill, Lee Phelps said: ‘Despite the excitement surrounding Layton’s potential achievement on the rankings, it is vital to note that only two of the 19 top scorers in the Blackpool specials have achieved ultimate victory in the series.
‘Currently positioned as the favorite to dazzle this weekend, the ‘Blackpool Curse’ lingers as an unwanted dance partner for Layton as the business end of the show approaches.
‘Indeed, our outright winners markets appear to reflect that sentiment, with Ellie Leach our 1/4 favorite to win series 21 of the much-loved BBC show and Layton just 8/1 to claim the ultimate prize.’
It seems the best place to finish in the Blackpool standings would be third or fourth.
Strictly champions TV presenter Chris Hollins (2009), actress Kara Tointon (2010) and Abbey Clancy (2013) all finished in third place in the famous ballroom.
Meanwhile, The Wanted singer Jay McGuiness, who lifted the trophy in 2015, and Scottish actor Joe McFadden, who won two years later, only managed fourth place that night.
Last year’s winner, TV wildlife expert Hamza Yassin, came second behind singer Fleur East, further showing that Blackpool is not alone.
Yet there have even been stars who topped the leaderboard and didn’t even make it to the final.
The Strictly Curse: As Blackpool draws closer, there’s another curse the contestants are keen to avoid (photo Layton Williams and Nikita Kumzin)
Unfortunate: unlike the infamous Strictly curse that sees couples fall for each other or break each other’s hearts, this new curse affects the rankings on the show’s iconic night (photo Ellie Leach and Vito Coppola)
40: As the competition heats up, bookmakers William Hill have predicted Layton William’s will secure the first perfect 40 on Saturday night
History: In 19 years, only two dancers in Strictly’s history have won the show after coming out on top, Kelvin Fletcher and Jill Halfpenny
Throwback: Actress Jill Halfpenny won the show in 2004 with partner Darren Bennett
Bad luck: And being at the top of Blackpool’s leaderboard doesn’t even mean your place is safe in the final, as Pixie Lott found out in 2014
Cursed: In 2009, Hollyoaks actress Ali Bastian was knocked out in the semi-finals despite coming top in Blackpool (pictured with her partner Brian Fortuna)
In 2009, Hollyoaks actress Ali Bastian was knocked out in the semi-finals despite coming top in Blackpool, and singer Pixie Lott were knocked out in the quarter-finals in 2014 after a successful showing in Blackpool.
Karim Zeroual and his partner Amy Dowden topped the Blackpool leaderboard in 2019, but lost to Kelvin Fletcher and Oti Mabuse in the final.
Ashley Roberts and Pasha Kovalev and Alexandra Burke and Gorka Marquez were also Blackpool champions but failed to take home the Glitterball.