Strictly Come Dancing star Rhys Stephenson has opened up on missing the opportunity to dance at the iconic Blackpool Tower Ballroom.
It was confirmed earlier this year that the hit BBC show would be returning to the resort’s Tower Ballroom after a two-year break.
The annual trip didn’t go ahead in 2020 and 2021 due to the Covid-19 pandemic but the cast of 2022 will make their mark on the iconic dancefloor this weekend.
READ MORE: BBC Strictly star rushes to support former regular as he makes shock career announcement
CBBC presenter Rhys, who took part in the BBC show last year, didn’t get the chance to strut his stuff in Blackpool and says he’s going to be jealous watching the upcoming show.
(Image: BBC/Guy Levy)
Speaking to Daily Star at TV Choice Awards, he said: “I’m gutted. I hear they have a party afterwards and it’s all great.
“My year we couldn’t get it and it’s annoying but look it is what it is.
“I got to be on the show and that’s phenomenal and no one can that that away from me.
“I’m going to be so green on Saturday watching them on that ballroom floor.”
(Image: Getty Images)
Blackpool Tower Ballroom will host Strictly for the first time in two years this weekend and Shirley Balass has opened up about its major transformation
The legendary venue, which dates back to 1894, underwent a £1.1m refurbishment during the coronavirus lockdown and reopened in June 2021.
An extensive restoration of its dancefloor, which saw more than 100 years’ worth of lacquer stripped back and 30,000 individual blocks of oak, mahogany and walnut, sanded and resealed, was completed in January.
(Image: BBC/Guy Levy)
Speaking to Daily Star at the TV Choice Awards about returning to Blackpool, Shirley said: “Very excited to return to Blackpool.
“It’s had some touch ups., the floor has been repaired and it’s all fit and ready.
“We are absolutely beside ourselves that we’re going this week.”
Blackpool has been the venue for a number of memorable Strictly moments across the years.
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Fans will no doubt remember politician Ed Balls being lowered from the ceiling playing a piano before performing the Jive with partner Katya Jones and actress Kara Tointon’s stunning American Smooth with partner Artem Chigvintsev.
Rhys made the semi-final in the 2021 series, which was won by Rose Ayling-Ellis and Giovanni Pernice.
Strictly Come Dancing continues Saturday on BBC One
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Source: Celebrities - dailystar.co.uk
