There was excitement for all the wrong reasons ahead of tonight’s Strictly special at Blackpool Tower – after head judge Len Goodman got stuck in the lift there!
The 72-year-old was filming for the show at the top of the iconic ballroom venue, when he got trapped.
He even had to help his own rescue as workers struggled to prise open the doors after half an hour.
An insider told The Sun: “It’s lucky that Len Goodman isn’t claustrophobic. He sauntered off as if nothing had happened afterwards and was laughing with the producer and member of venue staff who’d been stuck with him.”
Len’s grumps are legendary, so it sounds as though everyone had a lucky escape. Must be the Blackpool effect!
Meanwhile, it has been confirmed that three stars from the current series of Strictly will be waltzing across the country in the show’s 10th anniversary live tour in 2017.
Louise Redknapp, Danny Mac and Daisy Lowe will be dusting off their dancing shoes when the 30-date Strictly Come Dancing The Live UK Tour kicks off in Birmingham on January 20.
They will join new tour host, 2015 Strictly semi-finalist Anita Rani, and the judging panel of Len Goodman and Craig Revel Horwood – who also acts as the tour’s director – and former Strictly pro Karen Hardy.
Further names of the celebrities and professional dancers from this series will be announced for the tour in due course.
Fans of the BBC flagship programme will be able to see the TV show come to life at cities across the country, including Newcastle, Sheffield, Leeds and London.
Former Eternal singer and TV presenter Louise, who is one of the hot favourites to win the glitterball trophy this year, said that being able to take part in the tour was a “brilliant way to kick off the New Year”.
Model Daisy was the latest to be eliminated from the competition, so is excited to be able to return to the dancefloor next year.
She said: “I’m so lucky to be joining the tour and keeping my Strictly dream alive.
“I loved my time on the TV series, but now I’m really looking forward to getting out on the road to keep dancing and improving.
“Roll on January!”
Hollyoaks actor Danny, another star hotly tipped to win this series, is excited about the “amazing opportunity” to show off his moves in front of fans up and down the UK.
He said: “I’ve heard how amazing the live tour is and I can’t wait to get out there!”
This weekend, Louise, Danny and the other remaining stars – Judge Rinder, Ed Balls, Greg Rutherford, Claudia Fragapane and Ore Oduba – will head to Blackpool to perform at the Tower Ballroom in the annual special episode.
Dates for the Strictly Come Dancing The Live Tour 2017 are:
January 20-22, Birmingham: The Barclaycard Arena
(Friday 20 at 7.30pm, Saturday 21 at 2.30pm and 7.30pm, Sunday 22 at 1.30pm and 6.30pm)
January 24, Newcastle: Metro Radio Arena
(Tuesday 24 at 2.30pm and 7.30pm)
January 25-26: Sheffield Arena
(Wednesday 25 at 7.30pm, Thursday 26 at 7.30pm)
January 27-29, Glasgow: The SSE Hydro
(Friday 27 at 7.30pm, Saturday 28 at 2.30pm and 7.30pm, Sunday 29 at 1.30pm)
January 31 – February 1: Nottingham: Motorpoint Arena
(Tuesday 31 at 7.30pm, Wednesday 1 at 2.30pm and 7.30pm)
February 2-3, Leeds: First Direct Arena
(Thursday 2 at 7.30pm, Friday 3 at 7.30pm)
February 4-5: Manchester Arena
(Saturday 4 at 2.30pm and 7.30pm, Sunday 5 at 1.30pm)
February 7-8, Liverpool: Echo Arena
(Tuesday 7 at 7.30pm, Wednesday 8 at 2.30pm and 7.30pm)
February, London 9-10: The SSE Arena, Wembley
(Thursday 9 at 7.30pm, Friday 10 at 7.30pm)
February 11-12, London: The O2
(Saturday 11 at 2.30pm and 7.30pm, Sunday 12 at 1.30pm and 6.30pm)