BLACKPOOL is billed as the most sparkle-filled night of Strictly Come Dancing.
Celebrity contestants can’t wait to strut their stuff on the floor of Britain’s most famous ballroom.
But topping the leaderboard there isn’t necessarily a good omen – and could be viewed as another Strictly ‘curse’.
Just two dancers who came out on top at Blackpool have gone on to lift the Glitterball in 19 years – Jill Halfpenny in 2004, and Kelvin Fletcher in 2019.
Stage star Layton Williams is expected to waltz off as the winner on Saturday night, with bookies William Hill giving him odds of 4-6 to become the first 2023 contestant to bag a perfect 40 score.
He has stunned fans with his dancing prowess, but critics say he has an unfair advantage with his West End background, starring in Billy Elliott aged 12.
William Hill spokesperson Lee Phelps said: “The captivating allure of Blackpool comes with a historical twist.
“Despite the excitement surrounding Layton’s potential leaderboard-topping performance, it’s essential to note that only two out of the 19 top scorers in the Blackpool specials have gone on to claim the ultimate victory in the series.
“While Layton may shine bright on the Blackpool stage on Saturday, the history of the show reminds us that this accolade doesn’t always pave the way to lifting the coveted Glitterball Trophy.
“Currently positioned as the favourite to dazzle this weekend, the ‘Blackpool Curse’ lingers as an unwanted dance partner for Layton as the business end of the show approaches.
“Indeed, our outright winner markets seems to reflect that sentiment, with Ellie Leach our 1/4 favourite to win series 21 of the much-loved BBC show and Layton a mere 8/1 to claim the ultimate prize.”
History shows the best place to finish in Blackpool is third or fourth.
Three Strictly champions have come third at the seaside resort – TV presenter Chris Collins, who won in 2009, actress Kara Tointon in 2010, and Abbey Clancy in 2013.
The Wanted singer Jay McGuiness, who lifted the trophy in 2015, and Scots actor Joe McFadden, who won two years later, only managed fourth place in Blackpool.
Last year’s winner, TV wildlife expert Hamza Yassin, came runner-up to singer Fleur East, but their places were reversed when the lovable CBeebies presenter was voted the series winner.
Taking the top slot at Blackpool doesn’t even guarantee a place in the final – let alone a win.
In 2009 Hollyoaks actress Ali Bastian was top of the leaderboard in the Tower Ballroom but got knocked out in the semi-finals of the BBC competition.
Singer Pixie Lott came first in Blackpool in 2014 but was eliminated in the quarter finals.
Others who stormed in week nine, when the usually dancers head for the north, include Susanna Reid in 2013, and Georgia May Foote in 2015, who went on to date her professional partner Giovanni Pernice.
Both were eventual runners-up – Georgia to Jay McGuiness while Susanna lost out to Abbey Clancy.
Karim Zeroual and his partner Amy Dowden topped the Blackpool leaderboard in their year, but lost out in the final to Kelvin Fletcher.
Ashley Roberts and Pasha Kovalev and Alexandra Burke and Gorka Marquez were also Blackpool champs, but ultimately failed to take home the Glitterball.
Bookies are tipping Angela Rippon or ex-tennis player Annabel Croft to leave the show this week.
Angela, 79, has astounded judges with her agility and last week beat newsreader Krishnan Guru-Murthy in the dance-off.
But viewers weren’t happy and head judge Shirley Ballas – who didn’t get to vote because Angela had already been saved – said she would have kept Krishnan.
Angela’s dance partner Kai Widdrington had to defend her amid ‘fix’ claims after she almost slipped during her routine.
Fans also cried ‘favouritism’ after Angela presented Come Dancing in the late 80s – the precursor to Strictly.
The BBC show has shut down ‘fix’ claims with a source saying: “All of the judges are hugely experienced individuals who judge on dance and dance alone in the main show and in the dance offs.
“Any conspiracy theories suggesting otherwise are simply untrue.”
Tennis champ Annabel, 57, could also leave this week – despite her moving tribute dance to her late husband.
Fans said they were left in tears by her emotional couple’s choice dance with partner Johannes Rabebe.
They danced to Wings by Birdy earlier this month before Annabel blew a kiss to the heavens to husband Mel Coleman, 60, who died in May, just eight weeks after being diagnosed with stomach cancer.
Fans have expressed fears that if it comes to a dance-off between Annabel and Angela, the TV host will win.
They will both perform the American smooth this week.
