Military drills, circuses and a sliding roof - 4 facts about Strictly favourite Blackpool Tower Ballroom.
Though as lavish as a palace, the Blackpool Tower Ballroom was built for the public. An early advert touted it as a place ‘where a factory girl can be a duchess for the day’.
It has crystal chandeliers, red upholstery, and so much gold it once had six gold-leafers on the payroll. An organ ascends out of the stage, and there’s a sliding roof to let in cool air.
Built at the end of the 19th century, for 125 years it has welcomed dancers from gloved Edwardians to sequinned celebrities who visit during the BBC’s Strictly Come Dancing annual Blackpool special – which returns this year on Saturday 16th November.
Hemlines got shorter and dances grew livelier, with the reserved waltz giving way to the Grizzly Bear, and later to rock ‘n’ roll. During the First World War, the space was lent to military drills and parachute sewing during the day, while soldiers twirled with local girls in the evening.
Come Dancing was filmed here, arriving on TV in 1950 with audiences of 10 million.
But in 1956, a discarded cigarette caused a fire that destroyed the 37m x 31m dance floor and caused around £250,000 of damage (£7 million today).
Some saw it as a chance to modernise, but the ballroom was restored to its original splendour.
Today, restored again in 2021, the ballroom hosts social dances, competitions and afternoon teas, with more than 20,000 served annually. It remains, as ever, opulent but accessible.
At 518ft 9in (158.12m), Blackpool Tower can be seen from as far away as Wales and the Lake District. Construction began in 1891.
Music was provided by resident bands until 2005. Now, six resident organists play for the dancers.
The sprung dance floor is made of 30,602 blocks of mahogany, oak and walnut.
Underneath the dance floor is the oldest permanent circus arena in the world. It measures 110ft x 110ft (34m x 34m) and seats some 1,300 spectators, with a hydraulic floor that fills with 42,000 gallons of water in less than a minute.
The circus featured animals until 1991, including elephants (which would bathe in the Irish Sea), polar bears, lions, and tigers.
Acts including aerialists, trick cyclists and roller skaters have performed here, as well as resident clowns and ringmasters.
Strictly Blackpool: Special Moments and Memories from the World Capital of Dance by Alison Maloney is out now, RRP £16.99.
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