WWW.BAYANA.BLOGSPOT.COM: The battle is on: Natalie Gumede and Abbey Clancy arrive in Blackpool for their Strictly Come Dancing showdown

By Rebecca Davison
They've consistently achieved high scores on the Strictly Come Dancing leader board and now the competition is set to hot up between dance contestants Abbey Clancy and Natalie Gumede.
The girls arrived in Blackpool on Friday where they will spend the day rehearsing their routines ahead of their big performance at the iconic Blackpool Tower Ballroom.
Former Coronation Street star Natalie Gumede, 29, looked happy to be involved in the show once again after she was told she wasn't well enough to perform last week.

Looking good: Natalie Gumede arrived in Blackpool on Friday and looked like she was feeling much better

What's the matter? Abbey looked like she was stressed out in Blackpool whereas Natalie seemed chilled out

The pretty brunette had fainted twice during rehearsals earlier in the day and was given a bye through to this week's show.
Natalie caught up with fellow contestant Sophie Ellis-Bextor, 34, who seemed very excited about the trip.
She wrote on Twitter: 'Super excited about going to Blackpool and dancing in the ballroom. Tell me, is the roller coaster in action?! Want to have a go.'

All friends: Natalie shares a giggle with fellow contestant Sophie Ellis-Bextor

The singer looked chic in a cosy checked coat, a clashing checked scarf, a pink jumper, jeans and ankle boots.
Natalie also looked lovely in skinny jeans, a jumper and a coat and a skull-print scarf. She wore flat black pumps with cute bows on the.
She told The Mirror that she was planning on taking things easier and she was going to stop pushing herself so hard.

Get some sleep: Abbey looked exhausted as she arrived in Blackpool on Saturday

She said: 'Last week was an accumulation of a few weeks of tiredness, after going through having an epidural, a steroid injection and taking pain killers. I had been feeling tired all week and on Friday my legs were giving up on me.
'When I arrived on Saturday morning I didn’t feel too bad, I felt a bit stiff and a little tired but no more than anyone else.
'I fainted during band rehearsals and when I tried to dance again at the dress run, to see if I had the strength to get through the dance, I fainted again – it had become clear that I was exhausted.

Wear a smile: Abbey takes a call while walking with a member of the Strictly Come Dancing team

Natalie Tweeted about how excited she was to start dancing again with her professional partner, Artem Chingvintsev.
She wrote: 'Long day ahead - rehearsal, #itt then Blackpool bound! Won't let people down again, I'm raring to go! Can't wait to see everyone :) xx
Natalie's biggest competition, WAG Abbey Clancy was pictured looking rather tired and drawn, so perhaps the rehearsals are starting to wear her out.

Check her out: Sophie Ellis Bextor looked snug in her winter warmers

Nice guy: Sophie's dance partner Brendan Cole signs an autograph as he makes his way out

The pretty blonde walked down the street with a member of the Strictly team and took calls on her phone, but she looked stressed out.
On Thursday evening, she Tweeted her concerns about the upcoming show.
She wrote: 'Oh god Blackpool here we come not sure I'm ready !! #killerquickstep x'

Hollyoaks actor Ashley Taylor Dawson arrives at rehearsals with a rather girlie bag in his hand

Hot stuff: Rugby hunk Ben Cohen grabs a coffee on the go to keep warm

Two's company: He travelled up with professional dance partner Kristina Rihanoff

Abbey, 27, looked slim in a pair of black leggings and a jumper which she wore with black suede moccasin boots.
She had treated herself to a pampering session at Inanch London, a hairdresser's that specialises in extensions, just the day before so that her hair would look just right for the show.
And Hollyoaks actor, Ashley Taylor Dawson, 31, was in a cheeky mind as he arrived at the venue.
He wrote on twitter: 'Dead excited buzzin around Blackpool "The Motherland of Ballroom Dancing" can't wait to get my Paso face on and chase @The_OlaJordan around!' [sic]

Slim jim: A trimmer-looking Mark Benton was pictured with his dance partner Iveta Lukosiute

He may have been carrying dance partner, Ola Jordan's bag around with her as well as the grey and pink holdall was quite girlie.
Rugby star, Ben Cohen looked hunky as he popped out to get a coffee. He looked as if he had travelled up with his professional dance partner, Kristina Rihanoff.
Meanwhile, actor Mark Benton, 47, was pictured with his dance partner, Iveta Lukosiute. He looked much trimmer than when he started the show.
He Tweeted: 'Just in case you were wondering our routine for you can't stop the beat is not one from the show. As ever Iveta's choreo is ace !' [sic]
Strictly Come Dancing is back Saturday 16 November at 6.30pm on BBC One