STRICTLY Come Dancing is sashaying back to Blackpool for another iconic episode in the seaside town, and fans can hardly wait.
It’s the iconic round of the glam show that has every celeb wanting to take part, after Strictly first showed up there in 2004, for the third episode of the series.
A year later in 2005 the final was held at the Tower Ballroom and the rest is history – it’s been the sensational Strictly fix that fans swoon over each year.
But that’s not to say Strictly’s Blackpool editions haven’t been without their off-screen controversies.
In fact, from Gorka Marquez losing two teeth, to a celeb’s ransacked dressing room, the show has been swamped by off-screen scandal in recent years.
Here's a look at the biggest scandals to hit the Golden mile when the BBC show has been in town...
Strictly theft
Back in 2013, a theft took place while the celebs and pros were in Blackpool.
Items reportedly taken included jewellery, an iPad and a phone – all of which were stolen from a dressing room which was being used by Strictly stars.
Police didn’t share the names of who the items belonged to, and detectives appealed for anyone who saw anything suspicious to come forward.
At the time, a police spokesperson said: “We are investigating a theft that has occurred at the Tower Ballroom at Blackpool.
"It was reported to us at around 21:45 GMT that some items had been taken from a dressing room within the building - officers are investigating the theft and are making a number of enquiries to trace the person or people responsible."
Gorka involved in an attack
Back in 2016, the Spanish professional dancer ended up losing two teeth in the fracas, which police say was random and unprovoked.
Taking to X the star said: "Thanks for all your kind messages and support about Blackpool. It was a bad experience but I'm feeling better and just want to look forward to the show on Saturday!"
Gorka was ambushed as he walked to a nightclub in Blackpool with show colleagues Aljaz Skorjanec and Neil Jones.
Hours earlier he had partnered fellow pro Janette Manrara in a routine to Rick Astley’s seminal 1987 hit Never Gonna Give You Up.
At the time a friend told The Sun: “Gorka and a few of the other dancers were heading to a nightclub to let their hair down after another brilliant show.
“All of a sudden this group of local louts came out of nowhere.
“One of them punched Gorka in the face and broke two of his teeth.”
The pal said neither Gorka nor his colleagues had made any contact with the gang before the attack.
They said: “Gorka was sober, he doesn’t drink.
“This was an entirely random and shocking attack on a group of friends simply trying to enjoy a night out.
“He wasn’t angry, he was just more shaken by the event.
"They went straight back to the hotel to see if he needed urgent medical care before going back to London for dental surgery.”
Johannes’ backlash after he compared Blackpool to ‘squatters camp’
In 2018, Strictly star Johannes Radebe sparked a major backlash by comparing Blackpool to a "squatter camp".
The South African star dancer had never been to the town, but said the other pros had "warned" him what to expect when the show films there.
Speaking to the Mirror, Johannes revealed that he was excited about his first trip to the town as he'd grown up in awe of the Blackpool Dance Festival.
However, he said his Strictly co-stars told him: "You shouldn’t expect much.”
Johannes went on to say the dancers said of the town: "Apparently... they’re like the squatter camps.”
The term is used to refer to shanty towns in his native South Africa where residents live in terrible poverty.
Many Blackpool business owners hit back at Johannes' remarks.
Karl Myhillof the town's Tiffany’s Hotel said: “I am shocked at the comments.
“Blackpool is a fabulous traditional seaside resort."
Linda Nolan, who lives in Blackpool, told the Mirror: "They’ve got the wrong impression of Blackpool.
"The dancers haven’t asked the right people to show them around."
The dancer apologised and insisted he didn't mean to cause any offence.
He said: "I’m so sorry for any offence I may have caused to the people of Blackpool."
Party ban
In 2019, the Strictly Come Dancing stars threw a wild party after their performances in the iconic Blackpool Tower Ballroom.
Both the celebrities and professional dancers let their hair down in a spectacular fashion on Saturday - and even stayed up partying until 5am.
Co-hosts Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman danced with Champagne glasses in their hands.
Claudia was then spotted swigging a bottle of tequila while walking down the hall.
Strictly champion Stacey Dooley joined her boyfriend Kevin Clifton, sharing a smiley pic while wearing a sparkly dress.
And the hotel party was reportedly put on by show bosses to stop the pros and celebs going out in Blackpool due to fears over their safety.
A backstage source told The Sun: "There have been a couple of issues in the past, so bosses have decided to act and banned the stars from hitting the town after the show.
"To soften the blow, they’ve agreed to throw a bash at the hotel where they are all staying. It’s safer and means they can be properly looked after at all times and enjoy the night without concerns.
"They’ve brought in additional security to ensure there are no problems while the show is away from its usual home at the studios in Elstree."
