Strictly Come Dancing's Blackpool special captured more than half of the North West's TV audience.

The episode, which aired on Saturday, November 16, was watched by 825,000 people in the region, marking the highest overnight viewing figures for the series so far, with a total of 7.6million viewers nationwide.

The show, usually filmed at Elstree Film and TV Studios in Hertfordshire, moved to the Blackpool Tower Ballroom for the special episode, bringing 'extra sparkle' and energy to the iconic dance floor.

The celebrities and professional dancers performed in the venue, which is a landmark in the ballroom dance world.

The Blackpool special was an 'unmissable celebration', for its expanded cast of professional dancers and the 'electric Northern atmosphere.'

On Thursday night, the show marked its arrival in Blackpool with a takeover of the Blackpool Tower.

This included a custom light display that celebrated two decades of Strictly Come Dancing.

After a countdown, the Strictly Blackpool logo was projected onto the bottom of the Tower, and the rest of the building was lit up in blue, purple, and gold.

This was perfectly timed with a passing illuminated tram set to the Strictly Come Dancing theme tune.

The Pet Shop Boys opened Saturday night’s show with a medley of their greatest hits, with the Strictly professional dancers joining them for the opening number.

On Sunday night's results show, they performed their new single All The Young Dudes.

Strictly Come Dancing first came to Blackpool in 2004 for the third episode of the series.

The final was held at the Tower Ballroom the following year.

Since 2009, Blackpool Week has been a regular highlight of the series for both viewers and contestants.

The BBC takes shows like Strictly Come Dancing to cities and towns outside of London to bring audiences together and better reflect, represent, and serve all parts of the UK.

Saturday’s performances from the Tower Ballroom and Sunday’s results show from Blackpool are available to catch up on BBC iPlayer.