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Chandeliers, sequins and a dancefloor FULL of couples

Nostalgic black-and-white photos show iconic Strictly venue Blackpool Ballroom was thronged with dancers in its heyday

THANKS to its lavishly patterned floor, ornate stage and grand balconies, the Blackpool Tower Ballroom is a must-visit for dance enthusiasts.

Now, a nostalgia-inducing series of black and white photographs has revealed what the spectacular venue was like in its heyday.

Nostalgic black and white photographs show couples waltzing around the Blackpool Tower Ballroom in its heyday
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Nostalgic black and white photographs show couples waltzing around the Blackpool Tower Ballroom in its heydayCredit: Rex Features

From smartly-dressed soldiers coyly asking women to boogie to loved-up couples waltzing around the room, the stunning images make you want to grab your dance shoes and hit the town.

Images captured in the 50s show Tower staff dolled up in their gladrags and posing for a group shot.

Partygoers are seen resting their feet and enjoying a tipple at the ballroom’s bar, which is the longest in Britain.

Smartly-dressed Polish soldiers coyly chat up local Blackpool girls, who are dressed in pretty midi dresses, during a dance event in the 50s
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Smartly-dressed Polish soldiers coyly chat up local Blackpool girls, who are dressed in pretty midi dresses, during a dance event in the 50sCredit: Getty Images
The spotlight shines on competitors as they take to the grand stage during a dance tournament in the 1950s
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The spotlight shines on competitors as they take to the grand stage during a dance tournament in the 1950sCredit: Getty Images
A cameraman sneaks a shot of the audience through the dancer's legs as they prepare to take a bow
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A cameraman sneaks a shot of the audience through the dancer's legs as they prepare to take a bowCredit: Getty Images
Dozens of Blackpool Tower Ballroom staff don their gladrags and pose for a group shot together in 1953
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Dozens of Blackpool Tower Ballroom staff don their gladrags and pose for a group shot together in 1953Credit: Getty Images

Glamorous shots of the British Professional Ballroom Championships and competitors nervously waiting to be scored by the eagle-eyed judges are also featured.

The ballroom has hosted hundreds of competitions over the years, including the Blackpool Dance Festival, the Professional American Smooth Championships and the Freestyle Tournament.

Shocking pictures taken in 1956 show the devastation left behind after a fire swept through the ballroom floor and restaurant.

A partygoer rests his feet and enjoys a tipple at the Tower bar, which is the longest in Britain
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A partygoer rests his feet and enjoys a tipple at the Tower bar, which is the longest in BritainCredit: Getty Images
Shocking photographs show the devastation left behind by a fire that ripped through the dancefloor and restaurant in 1956
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Shocking photographs show the devastation left behind by a fire that ripped through the dancefloor and restaurant in 1956Credit: Rex Features
The restoration took two years to complete and cost over half a million pounds. Many builders came out of retirement to help with the project
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The restoration took two years to complete and cost over half a million pounds. Many builders came out of retirement to help with the projectCredit: Rex Features
The Tower was built in 1894 and the magical ballroom with its spectacular architecture and unique sprung floor is world-famous
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The Tower was built in 1894 and the magical ballroom with its spectacular architecture and unique sprung floor is world-famousCredit: Getty Images

Restoration took two years and cost £500,000, with many of the former designers and builders coming out of retirement to assist.

Since 2004 Strictly Come Dancing has filmed a Blackpool Tower Ballroom special.

The BBC1 talent programme hits the road every year and makes a pilgrimage up north with its suitcase full of fake tan, flesh-flashing costumes and glittery make-up.

Standing proudly on the Blackpool seafront, the tower is an imposing 158 m tall and welcomes over 650,000 visitors per year
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Standing proudly on the Blackpool seafront, the tower is an imposing 158 m tall and welcomes over 650,000 visitors per yearCredit: Rex Features
The ballroom has hosted hundreds of competitions over the years, including the Blackpool Dance Festival, the Professional American Smooth Championships and the Freestyle Tournament
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The ballroom has hosted hundreds of competitions over the years, including the Blackpool Dance Festival, the Professional American Smooth Championships and the Freestyle TournamentCredit: Rex Features
Alf Davies and Julie Reaby from Australia beam with glee as they are awarded the ballroom champions
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Alf Davies and Julie Reaby from Australia beam with glee as they are awarded the ballroom championsCredit: Rex Features
Professional dancers take to the floor in the 1990s and perform a raunchy routine in front of eagle-eyed judges and the audience
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Professional dancers take to the floor in the 1990s and perform a raunchy routine in front of eagle-eyed judges and the audienceCredit: Rex Features

Contestants including Jill Halfpenny, who dazzled with her Jive, Ann Widdecombe, who sent jaws dropping with her samba, and Harry Judd, who danced the quickstep, have all been fortunate enough to shake their tail feather in Blackpool.

Before the celebrities even think about winning the competition, their sole aim is to get to Blackpool.

The trip is around mid-way through the competition and all the contestants covet the opportunity to perform in the iconic ballroom to show off what they’ve learned so far.

Actor Danny Mac and his dance partner Oti Mabuse receive a perfect 40 for their show-stopping charleston
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Actor Danny Mac and his dance partner Oti Mabuse receive a perfect 40 for their show-stopping charlestonCredit: BBC1
Louise Redknapp and professional dancer Kevin Clifton perform a fierce paso doble in the Blackpool Ballroom
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Louise Redknapp and professional dancer Kevin Clifton perform a fierce paso doble in the Blackpool BallroomCredit: BBC
The venue is where the original Come Dancing series was filmed in the 1970s and the block wooden floor is famously springy underfoot
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The venue is where the original Come Dancing series was filmed in the 1970s and the block wooden floor is famously springy underfootCredit: Rex Features
A loved-up couple share a tender moment in 1953 while sashaying around the room at a grand ball
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A loved-up couple share a tender moment in 1953 while sashaying around the room at a grand ballCredit: Getty Images
A dancer in a back-revealing sparkly black gown and her partner dazzle on the stage as spectators look on
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A dancer in a back-revealing sparkly black gown and her partner dazzle on the stage as spectators look onCredit: Rex Features

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The venue is where the original Come Dancing series was filmed in the 1970s and the block wooden floor is famously springy underfoot (to reduce the impact on the dancers’ joints).

The ballroom is far larger than the BBC Strictly studio at 11 sq m, and the celebrities feel a real excitement and honour to dance there.

For the professional dancers, it’s a return to where many of them will have competed during their careers, with numerous national and international competitions being held there.

A flexible starlet thrusts her leg onto her partners left shoulder during an eye-poppingly energetic performance
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A flexible starlet thrusts her leg onto her partners left shoulder during an eye-poppingly energetic performanceCredit: Rex Features
A couple nervously wait in the wings for their scores from the judges after one tense contest in the 90s
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A couple nervously wait in the wings for their scores from the judges after one tense contest in the 90sCredit: Rex Features

The ballroom is located inside the iconic Blackpool Tower and is an institution.

Standing proudly on the Blackpool seafront, the tower is an imposing 158 m tall and welcomes over 650,000 visitors per year.

The Tower was built in 1894 and the magical ballroom with its spectacular architecture and unique sprung floor is world-famous.

There is dancing on the celebrated floor every day, and visitors can take a whirl themselves or watch others during one of the daily tea dances.

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