Hundreds of Strictly Come Dancing fans were seen camping outside the London studio last night as the celebrity contestants prepare for their first live show tonight.
Dedicated fans wrapped in winter coats, blankets and scarves were seen in queues snaking down the street outside the BBC’s Elstree Studios in north London today, eager to be the first people through the doors to bag a seat.
Undeterred by weather or the lack of sleep the hopeful few made it through the night and now have their eyes set on the studio door and the glamour that awaits within as the celebrities make the final preparations ahead of their debut performance tonight.
Hundreds of fans flocked to the the BBC’s Elstree Studios in north London last night for the chance to be let into tonight’s first live show of Strictly Come Dancing
Some Strictly enthusiasts were also spotted bringing along garden furniture to make the long overnight stay a little more bearable.
Each week that the celebrated BBC dance show is broadcast, some two million people enter a ballot for just 400 seats in the audience.
Newsreader Kate Silverton (above) was spotted leaving the London hotel early this morning ahead of the live BBC show tonight
Strictly Come Dancing celebrities Stacey Dooley (left) and Lauren Steadman (right) were seen leaving their hotel early this morning ahead of tonight’s live show in London
Susannah Constantine (above) who was partnered with professional Anton du Beke, smiles ahead of tonight’s live show on the BBC
TV doctor Dr Ranj Singh (left) and cricketer Graeme Swann (right) will take to the stage later tonight for their first performances in front of a live studio audience
Producers of the show then randomly invite 800 people along on the day of the show so they can guarantee a packed audience.
As the campers wait, the Strictly celebrities, were also spotted leaving their hotel early this morning ahead of tonight live show in London.
Singer-songwriter Faye Tozer (above) wears a slick black leather jacket and flip flops as she leaves the London hotel this morning
Last year the celebrated BBC dance show outpaced ITV rival show The X Factor for Saturday night views, with the final, in which the former Holby City actor Joe McFadden and his partner Katya Jones were crowned champions, reaching 13.1 million viewers.
This year’s contestants comprise of Charles Venn, Susannah Constantine, Lauren Steadman, Lee Ryan, Seann Walsh, Kate Silverton, Ashley Roberts, Stacey Dooley, Dr Ranj Singh, Graeme Swann, Vick Hope, Joe Sugg, Danny John-Jules, Faye Tozer and Katie Piper.
Returning once again will be the panel of judges Bruno Tonioli, Craig Revel Horwood, Darcey Bussell and Shirley Ballas, with hosts Claudia Winkleman and Tess Daly, rounding off the glitz.
Queues of dedicated and hopeful dance fans were seen snaking down the street outside the London studio, eager to be the first audience selected to the first show
Wrapped for the cold night, some Strictly enthusiasts were also spotted bringing along garden furniture to make the overnight stay a little more bearable. The dance fans have been queuing overnight and this morning for a chance to be let through the doors for tonight’s spectacle
Professional Strictly dancers Giovanni Pernice (left) and Aljaž Skorjanec (right) wheel their suitcases out of their hotel as they make the final preparations for their performances tonight
Sporting the casual look professional dancers Amy Dowden (left) and Nadia Bychkova (right) are all smiles ahead of tonight’s live performance
Australian ballroom dancer Dianne Buswell (left) and American professional dancer Janette Manrara (right) gear up for the live show tonight