Favourites Stacey Dooley and Kevin Clifton opened Strictly Come Dancing’s Blackpool Tower Ballroom show with an eye-catching entrance.

The pair kicked off the highly-anticipated show in the north-west, with broadcaster Dooley descending from the ceiling on a giant stick of Blackpool rock.

Dooley and Clifton danced a samba to Ooh Ahh (Just A Little Bit) by Gina G and had the audience at the famous ballroom on their feet.

Judges appreciated the opening dance, with Craig Revel Horwood saying “your hip action was fantastic”.

Dooley said: “You know what a luxury it is to be here and you don’t want to mess it up. I had the best time, actually.”

The dance earned the pair a score of 33, with Darcey Bussell and Bruno Tonioli each awarding a nine for the performance.