Strictly heads back to Blackpool Tower

Strictly Come Dancing will return to Blackpool's Tower Ballroom when the series begins in the autumn, it has been revealed.

The traditional seaside visit was missed out last year, purportedly due to the cost of decamping to the Lancashire coast.

But this year the programme will return to the venue for a further heat with presenters Sir Bruce Forsyth and Tess Daly heading to the dance floor, which is housed at the base of the landmark tower.

Celebrities will once again be judged by dance experts Len Goodman, Darcey Bussell, Craig Revel Horwood and Bruno Tonioli.

A spokeswoman for the show said: "We're thrilled to be returning to Blackpool this year to the Tower Ballroom. It's such an iconic venue for dance, and an honour to take Strictly to such a venue once again."

The Tower Ballroom, which opened in 1899, was home for many years to BBC1's Come Dancing series. This year will be the sixth time Strictly has headed to Blackpool.

A spokesman for the venue said: "The buzz that Strictly brings to the Tower and the town is tangible, and we are very proud that the Tower has been included in this year's schedule."