BBC viewers were treated to the sparkle and spectacle of Strictly Come Dancing’s return to Blackpool Tower Ballroom on Saturday night.
The previous weekend had audiences gripping their seats as Wynne Evans and Shayne Ward faced off in a nerve-wracking dance-off, vying for their place in the competition with repeat performances.
Ultimately, the decision bore down upon head judge Shirley Ballas after the panel reached a deadlock, leading to Shayne Wards departure from the show.
Yet, as this weekend brought us into a new chapter at the iconic Blackpool venue, complete with fresh routines, scores and changes in standings, it was the opening act that captured viewers’ attention, reports the Mirror.
Kicking off the night, the professional dancers shone brightly in silver metallic costumes as they began with a musical number instead of diving straight into the celebrity dances.
Adding to the Blackpool special’s excitement, The Pet Shop Boys rendered a striking medley of their hits to match the pro dancers’ glitzy get-ups.
Social media became abuzz with fans ecstatic over the performance. One X user exclaimed: “Pet Shop Bots were incredible.”
Another tweeted: “The legendary #Petshopboys Pet Shop Boys icons open @bbcstrictly at Blackpool. Fantastic.”
One viewer enthused: “Loved the start of tonight’s #Strictly. The Pet Shop Boys have a great back catalogue.”
Another fan exclaimed: “Wow! Best opening yet and finally great musical guests. Love The Pet Shop Boys! Wish they could have the show at Blackpool every week too. My fav week,”.
The sentiment was echoed by another, who tweeted: “It doesn’t get much better than The Pet Shop Boys #PetShopBoys opening the very special week of Blackpool Tower Ballroom on Strictly.”
An additional comment read: “PET SHOP BOYS on Strictly best opening of the show ever.! ! That enjoyable short performance brought back so many and amazing memories.”
As their set concluded, the excited Strictly contenders took to the dance floor with the professionals under a shower of confetti. The atmosphere was electric in the studio as the audience responded with rapturous applause after the medley came to an end.
Host Claudia Winkleman acknowledged The Pet Shop Boys and thanked the show’s choreographers for such an incredible opening.
Fans of The Pet Shop Boys can look forward to more from the duo as they’re set to perform their new track All The Young Dudes on Sunday’s results show.
Launching into the Blackpool Week festivities, Chris McCausland and Dianne Buswell were the first pair on the dancefloor, performing an American Smooth to Paul Anka’s Jump.
Strictly Come Dancing is on BBC One and BBC iPlayer