Strictly Come Dancing professional teases "magical" Blackpool special

Luba Mushtuk said that it "always feels extremely special" when the competition heads to Blackpool.

Luba Mushtuk and Becky Hill in Strictly Come Dancing.

BBC/Kieron McCarron

Published: Wednesday, 16 November 2022 at 10:49 am

This Saturday, Strictly Come Dancing is returning to the Blackpool Tower Ballroom for the first time since 2019, with the show set to open with a routine celebrating all things Blackpool.

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Ahead of this new special, RadioTimes.com caught up exclusively with one of the show's professional dancers, Luba Mushtuk, to ask her what fans can expect to see on Saturday.

Asked whether the celebrities will have extra dancers on hand for their performances, as has happened in previous years, Mushtuk said: "I'm not sure how it is going this year, what's going to happen. So I still believe that it will be an incredible show because when we go to Blackpool, we always put on the most incredible and biggest show."

Mushtuk continued: "There will be two fantastic group routines, an amazing singer… I can't wait for people to see who and it will be a magical, magical moment. Because when we're in Blackpool, it always feels extremely special to be there."

Luba Mushtuk for Strictly Come Dancing.

Luba Mushtuk on Strictly Come Dancing. BBC/Ray Burmiston

It has now been announced that 2022 Eurovision runner-up Sam Ryder will be performing during the results show on Sunday.

Mushtuk has been a professional dancer on the show since 2018, and has previously been paired with celebrities such as James Cracknell and Jason Bell. She was not partnered up for this year's season and is credited as a support dancer.

The songs and dances set to feature in this week's show include a Quickstep to Valerie by Mark Ronson and Amy Winehouse, a Samba to Hugh Jackman's I Go to Rio and a Jive to Barry Manilow's Bandstand Boogie.

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The competition is seriously hotting up now we're into Week 9, with fan favourite Tony Adams leaving the show last week due to injury. Meanwhile, current favourites still in the running to lift the Glitterball trophy include Hamza Yassin, Helen Skelton and Will Mellor.

Additional reporting by Lauren Morris.

Strictly Come Dancing's Blackpool Special airs on Saturday 19th November at 7:45pm on BBC One, with the results show airing on Sunday 20th November at 7:20pm.

Looking for something else to watch? Check out our TV Guide or Streaming Guide, or visit our Entertainment hub for the latest news.

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Authors

Black and white cut-out portrait headshot of James Hibbs, smiling against a lime green background.

James HibbsDrama Writer

James Hibbs is a Drama Writer for Radio Times, covering programmes across both streaming platforms and linear channels. He previously worked in PR, first for a B2B agency and subsequently for international TV production company Fremantle. He possesses a BA in English and Theatre Studies and an NCTJ Level 5 Diploma in Journalism.

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