Saturday 19 November 2022 08:20 PM Strictly Come Dancing Blackpool: Hamza Yassin and Jowita Przystal open the show trends now
Strictly Come Dancing returned to screens on Saturday evening for it's ninth live show, as the show returned to Blackpool Tower for the first time in three years for the programme's iconic annual trip to the coastal town.
The show opened with a performance from the show's professional dancers, as they were surrounded by neon signs which read: Blackpool is Back' - before judges Shirley Ballas, Craig Revel Horwood, Motsi Mabuse and Anton Du Beke took to the stage to join in on the dance.
Hamza Yassin was the first to perform at the iconic ballroom with his partner Jowita Przystal, as the pair took on an American Smooth to Frank Sinatra's iconic 1979 hit New York, New York.
Strictly Come Dancing Blackpool: Hamza Yassin and Jowita Przystal open the show with an American Smooth as stars RETURN to iconic Tower ballroom for the first time in three years
And it was an impressive start for the pair, as Shirley dubbed the wildlife photographer the 'one to beat' as he stepped out in a tailcoat and bowtie ensemble.
'Hamza, you shone brighter than all the baubles and beads and bangles in the world. You give Blackpool such respect, your footwork, you have dedicated yourself to tiny details. Even though it's Blackpool, you're as cool as a cucumber. You're the one to beat for me,' said the head judge.
While Anton was ready to jump on stage with them, as he said: 'People ask if I miss the dancing, that's the dance that I would've wanted to have done. Welcome to Blackpool everyone, outstanding.'
And while Craig typically had some critics, he did dub it 'spectacular', sharing: 'I wasn't fond of your solo jazz section, but the timing, the footwork and the moves was absolutely spectacular.'
'It doesn't matter what they throw at you, you perform with
