Strictly Come Dancing fans were left distracted just minutes into the Blackpool show.
The much-awaited dance programme made its grand return on Saturday in beautiful Blackpool, where the remaining eight celebrities battled it out for their spot in the competition. With Claudia Winkleman and Tess Daly steering the ship, the show was in full throttle.
However, viewers couldn’t help but comment on Claudia’s extravagant golden gown. Her captivating dress featured large sleeves and tassels that hung down.
Flocking to social media site X, viewers expressed their thoughts on her glitzy outfit. One fan of the BBC show posted: “Claudia in a magic carpet.”
Another remarked: “Claudia is wearing a magic carpet or a curtain from a Blackpool casino.”, reports the Mirror. A third chimed in: “Oh dear what is Claudia wearing, looks awful why does she get it so wrong so often.”
Yet another added: “Woohoo! That Pet Shop Boys opening looked like fun on #Strictly but why, oh why, oh why is Claudia wearing my mother in law’s old curtains? ? ? “.
Despite some negative comments, some viewers were smitten with Claudia’s golden ensemble. Offering a different perspective, one viewer gushed: “Obsessed with what Claudia’s wearing. OBSESSED. Another concurred and said: “Love Claudia’s gold kaftan, very stylish.”
Blackpool’s annual showcase is a milestone moment for Strictly Come Dancing contestants, all vying for the chance to dance at the special week. The excitement was particularly palpable this year as Strictly celebrates its 20th anniversary season, with the festivities kicking off on Saturday night to the tunes of 80s sensation Pet Shop Boys.
Strictly and Love Island sensation Tasha Ghouri expressed her excitement about performing in Blackpool, stating: “Blackpool is legendary because it’s such a unique venue, and it’s known as one of the most special places in the competition world. In the UK especially, the Blackpool Tower Ballroom is beautiful and grand, and having that week away from the Elstree studio brings a fresh atmosphere, new energy, and a bigger audience.”
She continued, underlining the significance of the location: “Everyone gets really pumped up for Blackpool it just feels so much more special. You hear about the historic ballroom competitions held there, and it’s such a respected space in dance, which is why everyone loves it so much.”
Adding his perspective, Chris McCausland, who made history as Strictly’s first visually impaired contestant and is matched with Diane Buswell, shared his sentiments: “It’s something that means a lot to the professional dancers.”
He highlighted the symbiotic nature of the competition, revealing: “Strictly is a two way relationship and they don’t get to dance there every year with a partner because they leave at different points of the competition each year. To be able to get to Blackpool with Dianne and give her that opportunity to dance there again means more to me than me being able to go there myself.” Last week, Strictly bid farewell to contestants Shayne Ward and Nancy Xu.
Strictly Come Dancing airs Saturdays and Sundays on BBC One