Strictly Come Dancing’s returning finalists reveal Blackpool Tower Ballroom memories and top tips for the 2025 contestants
Published: 22 November 2025
Strictly Come Dancing Blackpool Results Show features a Strictly first: four legendary finalists returning for one spectacular group performance.
Ashley Roberts, Danny Mac, Jay McGuiness and Layton Williams join forces with Strictly’s Professional Dancers for a dazzling routine in Sunday’s results show that will see them each revisit one of their most famous Strictly moments, before coming together for a joyful celebration of dance on that famous sprung floor.
Ahead of their return, we spoke to our four returning finalists about how it feels to head back to The Blackpool Tower Ballroom.
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Ashley Roberts
How does it feel to return to Blackpool with Strictly?
It is wild! It’s been seven years since I did Strictly now and I can’t believe I’m now back. Blackpool is the marker, right? Everybody wants to get there. It’s truly legendary and iconic. I want that bouncy floor giving me a little extra something-something on the night! Blackpool was a huge night for me. It was my first time getting 10s across the board with Pasha, so I’m really excited to be asked back to dance with Danny, Jay, Layton and all of the pros.
What is your favourite memory of performing in the Blackpool Ballroom?
The fish and chips diner moment was a stand out, we even ended up doing that dance on the tour. There are a few dances that are just stapled in my memory as my favourite moments, and that is absolutely one of them.
What one piece of advice would you give to this year’s contestants?
I walked in thinking I can do this. And it soon became very clear that it is much harder than you anticipate it to be. The schedule is tough, the dancing and everything is tough on the body, so you’ve got to just enjoy it and soak it up. Also, have a wee before you get sewn in to your costume!
How did you feel rehearsing your Jive again? Did it come back to you easily, or did you feel like you started from scratch?
I was so nervous until one of the pros grabbed my hand and just started jive kicking. And I just thought, what is it? What is my body supposed to do? But I got there and it’s coming back! It was stored in the memory with a lot of cobwebs around it that we needed to clean out, but it was in there somewhere.
Was there anything you did in Blackpool last time that you’d recommend to anyone visiting the town?
Fish and chips of course! I’m not a huge fish eater, but I like chips. When I was in Blackpool with Strictly I think I saw the seaside for about a millisecond, otherwise I was in the ballroom. I heard that drag is pretty iconic in Blackpool so I’d like to see some of that when I’m back there this time!
Danny Mac
How does it feel to return to The Tower Ballroom with Strictly?
It’s a big mixture of emotions. The most prevalent one is probably feeling quite physically sick! I’ve been back to Elstree Studios to watch the show and it’s just pure excitement, gratitude and joy because they are all the things you get from just being in the place. But as soon as you attach the idea of performing again it just gets quite terrifying!
What is your favourite memory of performing in the Blackpool Ballroom?
It was almost certainly getting our first 40. It’d been a long time coming and we were very excited. It was a magical place and a really exciting point in the season as well. We even met Peter Kay!
What one piece of advice would you give to this year’s contestants?
This piece of advice would be for the whole series, not just Blackpool, but just soak in every beat. Strictly is like nothing you will ever experience in your life. And utilise all of that and put that into your routine every week, because it’s all about putting on a show and having the time of your life. That was always our mindset. You put in the work on the technicals for the judges and put on a show for the audience. And if all the energy and all of the joy of what Strictly is gets pushed into that performance on the Saturday, that’s when you’re on to a winner!
Is there anything particular that you’re looking forward to doing in Blackpool again?
Honestly when I was there with Strictly I don’t think I saw outside of a taxi or the hotel room, which is a bit of a weak answer but we genuinely just rehearsed all of the time. I needed to train that much and I just wanted to learn as much as I could, and Oti wanted to get the best out of me. It was amazing, but there were no Pleasure Beach trips for me!
Jay McGuiness
How does it feel to return to The Tower Ballroom with Strictly?
I feel I am having flashbacks to pre-show anxiety. Like, who gets the chance to come back to Strictly?! It’s very very rare. I wanted Strictly to have me back ever since it first happened. So I feel so lucky and I can’t believe I’m here, it’s really cool.
What is your favourite memory of performing in the Blackpool Ballroom?
How can I pick one? I remember we did a huge group number that was full of us all doing the Lindy Hop, it felt like there were hundreds of us on the stage. The theatre of it all at Blackpool is just amazing. I remember we were buzzing, we were sat on the table at the back of the dance with all the Pros down at the front. And then we came zooming down among them – it was amazing! I also remember Anita Rani did a Paso Doble with red curtains flying everywhere. She was just amazing. It was one of those weeks where you go, woah I’ve just watched a dance that’s going to be replayed on YouTube for years.
What one piece of advice would you give to this year’s contestants?
Listen to the music. The clues are all in the music. Every Strictly contestant is on a different journey so they might all need different advice, but always listen to the music.
Your Pulp Fiction Jive with Aliona is a legendary Strictly dance. Did you know you were on to something special at the time?
All week in the rehearsal I didn’t think there was anything out of the ordinary about that Jive. And we were panicking, because when we did the camera rehearsal in the studio it did not go well. I was like, well that’s my last chance! But it all came together on the night. I remember the noise from the audience in the room at the end of that Jive, it made something in my ear rattle. It truly felt like an out of body experience. I don’t remember doing a lot of the dance, even though I’ve obviously watched it back. I look back at the steps thinking I don’t remember that moment or that move, but I just remember that reaction and noise in the room.
Is there anything particular that you’re looking forward to doing in Blackpool again?
My old manager and tour manager are going to be coming with me. They were there with me the last time I was in Blackpool with Strictly, back in the day! A decade ago now. So it’s going to be the old school lads doing a little trio reunion, back in Blackpool for Strictly.
Layton Williams
How do you feel returning to the Strictly ballroom? Does it bring back any unexpected emotions or memories?
Oh my gosh I’m so gassed to be back. I never thought I’d dance at the Blackpool Tower Ballroom ever again, so to be invited back is an honour.
What is your favourite memory of performing in the Blackpool Ballroom?
Craig giving me a 9 when it should’ve been a 10 for our Couple’s Choice!
What one piece of advice would you give to this year’s contestants?
They’re all killing it to be honest, so all I’d say is just enjoy the ride and book yourself a holiday in January – because you’ll have earned it!
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