One of Strictly Come Dancing’s best-performing couples took off their dancing shoes and took an opportunity to unwind – by riding some of the UK’s most adrenaline-fueled rides at Blackpool Pleasure Beach.
Tasha Ghouri and Aljaž Škorjanec, who have been tipped to win the competition, visited the theme park earlier in the week.
Before facing the new ride ICON, a coaster which sees riders experience the same G-force as a Formula 1 driver, Aljaž admitted that he was more afraid of the twists and turns than the live performance this week.
They ended up taking on the thrill three times in a row, with Tasha challenging Aljaž to keep a straight face ahead of their paso doble, their dance for this week.
She also shared memories of visiting Blackpool as a child and driving through the illuminations in her dad’s convertible car wrapped in blankets but admitted she hadn't been to Pleasure Beach until now.
Aljaž, on the other hand, had fond memories of Pleasure Beach and said he can’t wait to bring his daughter for a day out when she’s older.
Currently sitting at the top of the leaderboard, they are going into ‘Blackpool Week’ hoping for another high score for their performance.
They are the joint favourites to take home the glitterball trophy alongside Chris McCausland and Dianne Buswell, and fans even think Tasha and Aljaž could earn the first perfect score of the series on Sunday night.
Earlier in the week, Tasha, who was born deaf and wears a cochlear implant, appeared on the behind-the-scenes show, It Takes Two.
She explained how performing in Blackpool could benefit her due to the hall having more vibration in it.
Tashe said: “It is definitely going to be more echoey, but the advantage is I will feel it more in my body because it has much more vibration. More of that runs through my body, so if anything, it could actually be more of an advantage.”
Strictly brings its glitzy production to Blackpool’s iconic ballroom for the series’ midway point, and “making it to Blackpool” is considered a key milestone by contestants.
The results of last night’s performances will be announced Sunday evening on BBC1.
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