BBC Strictly Come Dancing star going to Blackpool with 'target' amid exit risk

A former Strictly Come Dancing star has said one of this year's contestants will be going to Blackpool as a 'target' this year as they risk leaving the competition.

Show legend Vincent Simone couldn’t hide his excitement when discussing the famous Blackpool week, which takes place in the 2024 run of the BBC One dance contest on Saturday night (November 16) and explained how the iconic ballroom is the pinnacle for a ballroom performer.

Every year, Strictly heads to the seaside town to bring one of its live episodes to viewers from the world-famous venue that is said to be the 'home of ballroom dancing'.

And as well as the performances from the eight remaining couples left in the competition, the week nine live show will also feature a performance from Pet Shop Boys, who will open it with a medley of hits as the Strictly professional dancers perform a routine.

READ MORE: BBC Strictly Come Dancing's Shayne Ward shares reality after exit as actress partner pays tribute

"Blackpool has so much history in the world of ballroom dancing," Vincent said when speaking to 10bet. "It’s a legendary venue to dance and the entire experience is so magical for any performer to experience. If you’re a ballroom dancer, it doesn’t get better than Blackpool. It’s a stage that all dancers aspire to perform on.

"Even growing up in Italy, everyone in the world of dancing knows how special Blackpool is. It's the most iconic place to dance. Blackpool’s got everything. It's got the glamour, it's got the history, it’s like performing in the museum of dance. You can never beat the atmosphere of Blackpool. I always look forward to performing there – I’ll actually be there next week.

"It’s the kind of venue that puts a smile on your face, but it also gets the adrenaline going because when you walk out onto that floor, you know you have to give the audience something unbelievable."

Speaking about the remaining couples in the competition, Vincent, who starred on Strictly from 2006 until 2012, named who he thinks is at risk. He revealed: "Wynne Evans is going to Blackpool with a target on his back. He’s going to have to perform under pressure after what happened last weekend. When you’re a celebrity that has to take part in the dance-off, you’re exposed.

"I think the decision to eliminate Shayne was the right one. I said it before, Shayne danced much better when he danced in the live show. I know how hard the Rumba is and the was the way he danced it for me was not enough. I would have said to him just stick to what you've done. Don't change anything. I think he tried to do different things. He lost his posture a little and I thought, ‘Oh, what a shame. I wish he danced like he did in the live show."