By Sophia Charalambous
They have been busy shimmying and shaking at Eltree Studios, in Borehamwood, for the past eight weeks, in a bid to reach the coveted Blackpool Tower Ballroom.
The group were spotted arriving in Blackpool on Friday where they spent the day rehearsing their routines ahead of their big performance at the iconic ballroom on Saturday night.
Leading the way into the venue for the girls was Abbey Clancy, who was wrapped up warm in a black shearling coat, a black and white striped polo neck and a pair of grey leggings.
Prepared: Abbey Clancy hold her Louis Vuitton suitcase as she prepares for the first live show in Blackpool on Saturday night
Abbey, 27, who was on the phone at the same time, was clearly heading into hair and make-up ahead of the live show.
The excited Liverpudlian could not help but tweet: 'Oh god Blackpool here we come not sure I'm ready !! #killerquickstep x'
Ready for action: Abbey walked into the hair and make-up in an extremely casual outfit
Abbey wrote on her Twitter page: 'Thank u sooo much for my hair @inanchlondon I love it xxx'
Arriving soon after Abbey was pop princess, Sophie Ellis Bextor, who was sporting the riding look dressed in a tweed coat, dog-tooth scarf and riding boots.
Ciao ciao: Abbey Clancy kisses a friend on the cheek near to the studios
Almost ready: Abbey Clancy smiled at fans in Blackpool as she looked to have just come out of hair and make-up ahead of the show
Hello there! Abbey kept her composure as she waved at passers-by
She walked side by side into the venue with this year's favourite, actress Natalie Gumede, who looked happy to be involved in the show once again after she was told she wasn't well enough to perform last week.
Happy for now: Sophie Ellis-Bextor looked happy ahead of the nerve-wracking show
She covered up with a printed black scarf, a black coat and a pair of grey skinny jeans whilst wearing a pair of black flat pointed pumps.
The star wrote on her Twitter page: 'So excited for today!!!!! Got to conserve my energy but I'm a jumping bean!!!! Come on Blackpool!!!!'
On her ill health last week, Natalie 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.
Side by side: Natalie Gumede and Sophie Ellis Bextor walk side by side to the venue to get beautified ahead of the live show
The 42-year-old looked trendy in her dress-down ensemble, which included a floral scarf, a brown suede sheepskin jacket, blue skinny jeans and a pair of peep-toe stiletto heels.
She accessorised with a pair of brown sunglasses whilst carrying a brown leather bag on one shoulder and a grey holdall on the other.
Got the giggles: Iveta Lukosiute and Susanna Reid giggle together as they hold Costa Coffee cups
Susanna recently confessed to the Express that she has high hopes her youngest, Jack, seven, will take up ballroom dancing professionally.
She told the Daily Express on Friday: 'The boys are so incredibly mature about it all. They pretend to be the judges when they’re at home and they want to learn my steps.
Professional ladies: Iveta Lukosiute (left) was spotted in her training tracksuit whilst Ola Jordan (right) looked chic in her day wear
Fur fabulous: Kristina Rihanoff (left) wore a chic fur coat and pop-pop embellished scarf whilst carrying a Louis Vuitton holiday bag whilst Karen Hauer (right) wrapped up in a fur trim coat
Hand in hand: Aljaz Skorjanec and Janette Manrara hold hands as they make their way to the studio together
Cool and collected : Ben Cohen strolled in wearing a casual purple jumper, a pair of blue jeans and a pair of orange pumps (left) whilst Artem (right) was seen carrying two cups of coffee
Meanwhile all the professional dancers were steadily arriving at the venue, including Mark Benton's partner Iveta Lukosiute and Ashley Taylor-Dawson's partner Ola Jordan.
Also steadily making their way to the venue was the rest of professionals, Karen Hauer and Kristina Rihanoff as well as couple Aljaz Skorjanec and Janette Manrara.
Posing in purple: Mark Benton and Robin Windsor opt for the colour purple as they gear up for the first Blackpool show
Completing the dancing mix was Anton du Beke carrying his suit in a waterproof bag and Brendan Cole looking smart and sophisticated in a double-breasted coat.
Tailored to perfection: Anton de Beke was seen holding his suit in a waterproof bag (left) whilst Brendan Cole (right) looked like a sophisticated gentleman in his double-breasted coat
Bruce Forsyth, 85, was swamped by fans who were all after the star's autograph - and he kindly obliged.
Strictly Come Dancing airs on Saturday evening at 6:30pm on BBC1.
Glam: Tess looks glamourous as she arrives at the venue ready to get into hair and make-up
Mr Popular: Bruce signs autographs for his many fans in Blackpool
No comments:
Post a Comment