What Is the Lowest Score on Strictly Come Dancing
For any true Strictly Come Dancing fan, the ultimate goal is to be in the audience during a live recording of the show. Of course, watching on TV is an absolute treat thanks to Strictly's amazing pro dancers and polished stage production but being in the room with Tess Daly, Claudia Winkleman and all the contestants takes it to another level.
With so many people trying for tickets via the public ballot and only a limited number available each week, it's no easy feat to get a spot in the audience. At Good Housekeeping, we were lucky enough to bag one such spot during the 2019 series and to say we were excited to be there would be an understatement.
We've watched the show in a dedicated fashion for years, but there are some things you just won't know or pick up on until you've been in the studio. Here, we fill you in on the behind the scenes secrets…
BBC
Filming takes a LONG time
It's not exactly a secret that while Saturday night's show goes out live, the results programme that airs on Sunday is actually pre-recorded. This means that audience members are in the studio for a long time (upwards of five hours) as both shows are filmed one after the other. A pre-requisite of being in the audience is that you must hand your phone in before so no spoilers can be photographed or recorded, so you slightly lose your concept of time. Have you been sat for two hours? Four? Who knows? The upside is you get to watch a load of amazing dancing and the interactions between the contestants, pros, judges and production staff, which is very cool. Strictly also provides a can of water and some biscuits for each audience member to enjoy in the break between the two shows while votes are counted, so that helps.
BBC
The fun doesn't start when the opening titles roll
Long before you've even taken your seat, there's fun to be had. Some opt to get to the studio (Elstree in Hertfordshire) super early so they can be at the front of the arrival queue and get great seats for the main event but many arrive a few hours before filming starts. Audience members congregate in an outdoor area of the studio and are then invited into a marquee where there are toilet facilities and a bar for refreshments. The Eagle eyed might spot contestants and the odd visiting celebrity as in the same region there is a VIP marquee where dancers can catch up with their loved ones before the show. There's also a photo board for pictures and a merchandise stand where you can buy hoodies, teddy bears and water bottles so there's no chance of you getting bored while you're waiting for the action to start.
BBC
There are a lot of laughs you don't get to see on TV
Someone quite crucial to proceedings is the show's warm up act who cracks jokes as soon as the audience files into the studio and generally oversees things when cameras aren't rolling. They introduce Tess, Claudia and the judges and gives the audience housekeeping instructions, too, as well as playing games in quieter moments to keep everyone in high spirits. Another person making the audience chuckle is, of course, Claudia, who entertains with gags about her Spanx being uncomfortable and generally self-deprecating humour. Both Claudia and Tess like to chat with members of the audience, complimenting people on their sparkly Strictly outfits.
BBC
You notice things you'd never pick up on from home
Being in the Strictly audience means you get to hone in on small details you'd never spot watching from home. Have you ever noticed that people sat on the balconies don't stand up to give ovations? That's because they're not allowed to for health and safety reasons. We spotted that head judge Shirley Ballas sits on an extra plump cushion to give her height a boost next to tall Craig Revel Horwood. Also, to mark the difference between Saturday and Sunday, the audience members sat right near the judging panel are shuffled about so different faces appear on TV. All little details, but when you're watching everything like a hawk you get a real sense of how much goes into each and every Strictly episode. It's seriously impressive.
Being in the audience at Strictly has made us even more in love with the show. Now, is that ballot for next year open yet?
Strictly Come Dancing airs Saturday and Sunday on BBC One.
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What Is the Lowest Score on Strictly Come Dancing
Source: https://www.goodhousekeeping.com/uk/lifestyle/a29534231/strictly-come-dancing-audience-secrets/