Attention all Strictly Come Dancing enthusiasts! If you’re a die-hard fan of the glamorous world of ballroom dancing showcased on the BBC, then get ready to Cha-Cha your way through some truly fascinating tidbits.
Just like the mesmerizing dance steps you witness at Donaheys, these facts about your favourite TV programme will leave you twirling with delight!
1. **The Glitterball isn’t Solid!**
Yes, you read that right. The prized Glitterball Trophy isn’t a solid ball but a hollow one! While it shines bright on screen, it’s lighter than it appears.
2. **Foreign Affair:**
“Strictly Come Dancing” is loved not just in the UK but globally. It’s adapted in over 50 countries with names like “Dancing with the Stars” in the USA.
3. **No High Heels on Day One:**
The female celebrities aren’t allowed to dance in high heels right away. They start in flats and progress to heels as they get more comfortable!
4. **Spray Tan Galore:**
More than 57 litres of spray tan are used per series, ensuring all participants have that sun-kissed glow while they Tango and Waltz.
5. **First Dance:**
While the Cha-Cha-Cha and Waltz are popular first dances now, the very first routine performed on Strictly was the Rumba by Natasha Kaplinsky and Brendan Cole.
6. **Sartorial Choices:**
On average, over 500 metres of fabric and 170,000 sequins are used in a single series. That’s a lot of sparkle!
7. **No Love for the Lifts?**
In the early days of “Strictly,” lifts weren’t allowed in any of the dances. It was only after a rule change that they became an integral part of the performances.
8. **A Royal Fan:**
Queen Camilla is a self-proclaimed fan of Strictly Come Dancing. She has even attended the live shows and has had a private dance lesson with some of the pros!
9. **Long Live the Music:**
Did you know the show’s resident band, led by the brilliant Dave Arch, has over 4,500 music arrangements in their collection?
10. **Green Room Rename:**
The Green Room isn’t green at all. It’s been called the ‘Red Room’ since 2013 because, well, it’s red!
11. **Strictly Ghosts:**
Rumours have it that the Blackpool Tower Ballroom, one of the iconic venues, is haunted! Some contestants have even reported eerie experiences.
12. **A Mile of Dance:**
By the end of a series, the celebrities will have danced, on average, the equivalent of a marathon. That’s 26.2 miles of Waltzing, Jiving, and twirling!
Now that you’re armed with these fantastic and lesser-known facts, you’re sure to impress fellow “Strictly” aficionados at your next TV viewing party or even during your next Donaheys dance class.
All I want for Christmas…is an experience like no other
We know the world of Strictly Come Dancing is all consuming, but it can’t have escaped your notice that Christmas is fast approaching. Not only do we celebrate the ‘crowning’ of the new Strictly champions at this time of year, but friends and family also expect a present or two.
So, with that in mind, we’ve got a great gift idea for addicts of hit TV show Strictly Come Dancing – Donahey’s Dancing With The Stars Weekends. Not only will this Christmas present score you an amazing amount of brownie points with loved ones, but it will also catapult you to the top of the leader board. And that’s without throwing a single shape on the dance floor, which is very handy for the ‘Dad Dancers’ amongst you.
Dancing With The Stars Weekend
What does this perfect Strictly Christmas present include? Well, a whole weekend of dancing in the company of the Stars at the stunning 5* Celtic Manor Resort Hotel in Newport. See hot couple Aljaz Skorjanec and Janette Manrara, Ballroom favourites Anton Du Beke & Erin Boag, and the amazing Kai Widdrington & Nadiya Bychkova perform dazzling showdances in our stunning Ballrooms. Grill them in the fun Q&A session and take photos in the ‘Red Carpet Photo Call’s.
Two left feet?
Whether the recipient is an experienced dancer, a novice or the proud owner of two left feet, Donahey’s amazing dance weekends are a great strictly experience for everyone. The weekend includes four hours of Ballroom and Latin classes with the Strictly stars and World Ballroom Champions, Warren and Kristi Boyce. Also three additional hours of dance classes with our own highly experienced dance teachers, which are tailored to the recipient’s dancing abilities.
Non-stop dancing
But that’s not all; the nights are filled with dancing too. On Saturday night our Black Tie Ball with live music from The Tony Greenwood 15-piece Ballroom & Latin Big Band fills the dazzling Ballroom. And the late night ‘Latin Lounge’ encourages dancing and mingling into the small hours. The weekend treat concludes with the Sunday afternoon Grand-Finale dance showcase.
Early Christmas shopping
Start your Christmas shopping early by booking your Dancing With The Stars Weekend and benefit from our great Early Bird Booking prices. You’ll need to be as fast as the quickstep to secure one of the final remaining rooms though!
That’s the first present ticked off your Christmas shopping list!
5* Weekend Breaks With The Stars of Strictly
Fri 1st – Sun 3rd March 2024
4* Alton Towers Hotel & Spa
Staffordshire
Spend the weekend with your favourite stars of Strictly Come Dancing at the fabulous Alton Towers Resort Hotel & Spa.
Join Reigning Strictly Champion Jowita Przystal, Nikita Kuzmin, BAFTA Award Winner Giovanni Pernice, Lauren Oakley, Aljaz Skorjanec, Janette Manrara, British Dance Champion Finalists David Cockram & Rosie Ward, Argentine Tango Instructors Letita & Andres plus The Tony Greenwood 15-piece Big Band.
Fri 22nd – Sun 24th March 2024
4* De Vere Beaumont Estate Hotel
Windsor, Berkshire
Spend the weekend with your favourite stars of Strictly Come Dancing at the impressive 4* De Vere Beaumont Estate in Windsor.
Join BAFTA Award Winner Giovanni Pernice, Lauren Oakley, Kai Widdrington, Nadiya Bychkova, Anton Du Beke, Erin Boag, British Dance Champion Finalists David Cockram & Rosie Ward, Argentine Tango Instructors Letita & Andres, Strictly Vocalist Lance Ellington plus The Tony Greenwood 15-piece Big Band
Fri 19th – Sun 21st April 2024
5* Celtic Manor Resort Hotel
Newport, South Wales
Spend the weekend with your favourite stars of Strictly Come Dancing at the stunning 5* Celtic Manor Resort in South Wales.
Join NTA Judge Of The Year Anton Du Beke, Erin Boag, Kai Widdrington, Nadiya Bychkova, Aljaz Skorjanec, Janette Manrara, Katya Jones, Strictly Argentine Tango Choreographers Leandro Palou & Maria Tsiatsiani, British, European & World 10 Dance Champions Glenn Richard Boyce & Caroly Janes, Former World Professional Ballroom Champions Warren & Kristi Boyce, Strictly Vocalist Lance Ellington plus The Tony Greenwood 15-piece Big Band.
Fri 19th – Sun 21st July 2024
5* Celtic Manor Resort Hotel
Newport, South Wales
Spend the weekend with your favourite stars of Strictly Come Dancing at the stunning 5* Celtic Manor Resort in South Wales
Join Gorka Marquez, Karen Hauer, Kai Widdrington, Nadiya Bychkova, Aljaz Skorjanec, Janette Manrara, Strictly Argentine Tango Choreographers Leandro Palou & Maria Tsiatsiani, British, European & World 10 Dance Champions Glenn Richard Boyce & Caroly Janes, Former World Professional Ballroom Champions Warren & Kristi Boyce plus The Tony Greenwood 15-piece Big Band
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You can learn to dance with Strictly Stars including Giovanni Pernice, Gorka Marquez and Anton Du Beke at amazing weekend breaks here in the UK.
Donaheys is offering one-of-a-kind immersive staycations – with the chance to get up close and personal with some of the world’s most renowned professional dancers and world champions.
The hotel breaks include dance lessons, live performances, live music and Strictly Stars including Jowita Przystal, Nikita Kuzmin, Lauren Oakley, Kai Widdrington, Nadiya Bychkova and Vocalist Lance Ellington.
Donaheys is bringing the Stars of Strictly Come Dancing to 3 hotels across the UK for an immersive dance break. Plus you’ll also get to see reigning World Ballroom & Latin Dance Champions.
The adult-only getaways will see dance showcases from the professional dancers, accompanied by a host of live music artists including Strictly Come Dancing singer Lance Ellington, plus The Tony Greenwood 15-piece Big Band.
Guests will also have the chance to enjoy dance lessons with some of their favourite performers, including Katya Jones, Aljaz Skorjanec and Janette Manrara, all on large spacious championship dance-floors.
Over each of the weekend breaks, the professional dancers will lead several dance classes, alongside World Champions, giving guests the opportunity to learn a host of different styles at varying degrees of difficulty.
Fun Questions & Answer sessions will allow for memorable chats and Red Carpet photo calls allow for photos of the professional dancers.
Judge Anton Du Beke will be on-hand to meet fans and share his expertise, perfect for fans of the show. Plus costumes from the 2023 series will be on display, allowing guests to take a close look at the craftmanship that goes on behind the scenes.
Aside from learning how to tell your Cha Cha from your Waltz on large championship dance-floors, and photo opportunities with the professional dancers, guests are able to spend their break resting their dancing feet in the leisure club, before refuelling with a fabulous three-course evening meal in the hotel’s stunning restaurants.
These exclusive breaks will be at the following locations:
Donahey’s Weekend Breaks are not endorsed by or associated with BBC Studios or Warner Leisure
“We have designed these breaks to provide an immersive experience for our guests, and give super fans the most incredible experience.”
“These breaks always sell-out incredibly fast – so anyone wanting to live out their TV dreams will need to book quickly!” Paul Donahey, managing director of Donaheys.
These immersive breaks will get you moving to the beat of the legendary show – whether you’re a seasoned dancer or just want to have fun on the dance floor.
Prices start from £559 per person. Price includes bed and breakfast, three-course dining, live entertainment each night, leisure club access and more.
Strictly is the gift that just keeps on giving. As if the excitement of Movie Week & Halloween wasn’t enough, there’s also the Strictly Come Dancing Christmas Special to look forward to.
Strictly Christmas Special 2022 line-up
Once this year’s Strictly winners have nabbed the Glitter Ball, it’s time for the Strictly Christmas Special. Eager to know who’s taking part?
Who are the 2022 Strictly Come Dancing Christmas pairings?
This year’s six Christmas Strictly celebrities are:
Rosie Ramsey & Neil Jones
Rickie Haywood-Williams & Luba Mushtuk
Alexandra Mardell & Kai Widdrington
Larry Lamb & Nadiya Bychkova
Nicola Roberts & Giovanni Pernice
George Webster & Amy Dowden
When is the 2022 Strictly Christmas Special on TV?
Christmas Day of course. The time has yet to be confirmed but keep your TV tuned to BBC1 and you’ll be in for a treat. As usual, the show will be hosted by Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman with expert feedback provided by judges, Shirley Ballas, Craig Revel Horwood, Motsi Mabuse and Anton Du Beke.
The six couples will each perform a Christmas inspired dance routine in line with this year’s theme – fairy tales and making dreams come true – as they compete for the Christmas accolade. It’s then up to the studio audience to decide who deserves the crowning glory.
Who won the 2022 Strictly Christmas Special?
The programme will be pre-recorded on Wednesday 7th December.
As the show is pre-recorded there is no viewer votes, the studio audience alone decides by voting once all the contestants have danced.
Occasionally the winners can be leaked onto social media, so avoid the spoilers and tune in on Christmas Day to find out which one of the past celebrities will be crowned 2022 Strictly Come Dancing Christmas Champion..
All I want for Christmas…is an experience like no other
We know the world of Strictly Come Dancing is all consuming, but it can’t have escaped your notice that Christmas is fast approaching. Not only do we celebrate the ‘crowning’ of the new Strictly champions at this time of year, but friends and family also expect a present or two.
So, with that in mind, we’ve got a great gift idea for addicts of hit TV show Strictly Come Dancing – Donahey’s Dancing With The Stars Weekends. Not only will this Christmas present score you an amazing amount of brownie points with loved ones, but it will also catapult you to the top of the leader board. And that’s without throwing a single shape on the dance floor, which is very handy for the ‘Dad Dancers’ amongst you.
Dancing With The Stars Weekend
What does this perfect Strictly Christmas present include? Well, a whole weekend of dancing in the company of the BBC Strictly Come Dancing stars at the stunning 5* Celtic Manor Resort Hotel in Newport. See hot couple Aljaz Skorjanec and Janette Manrara, Ballroom favourites Anton Du Beke & Erin Boag, and the amazing Giovanni Pernice & Oti Mabuse perform dazzling showdances in our stunning Ballrooms. Grill them in the fun Q&A session and take photos in the ‘Red Carpet Strictly Photo Call’s.
All wrapped up for Christmas
Want to find out more? Feast your eyes on this lot then;
Donahey’s number one priority is our guests, performers, team & contractors safety.
Donahey’s continue to work in partnership with our Health & Safety Consultants and venue management teams towards delivering you a safe & fabulous Dancing With The Stars Weekend.
Our Resort Hotels are all designated ‘Good to Go’, the industry issued standard that confirms a venue has COVID-safe policies in place. All our venues have returned to providing safe & successful indoor events, operating at normal capacity with dancing allowed.
Donahey’s 2023 Covid Policy
All guests have a shared responsibility in the safety of our break. As the situation evolves, so will our approach to keeping you safe. We thank you for your patience and flexibility as we manage this and ask that you check back here for any updates.
Donaheys strongly recommends all guests are fully vaccinated and take a Lateral Flow test on the morning of arrival.
If you are feeling unwell and have any symptoms of Covid please do not attend.
If you test positive for Covid, please follow government guidance and do not attend the break and contact your travel insurers.
If you have recently tested positive for Covid, Government guidance recommends you stay home for 5 days, (more if you are still symptomatic). If you test negative on the Friday of your break you are welcome to join us as planned, however face coverings are recommended as per Government guidance.
If you start to feel unwell during the weekend or are showing any symptoms of Covid, we strongly advise taking a LFT. Please remain in your bedroom and contact Donaheys to request a LFT is delivered to your bedroom door. LFT’s are also available from Donaheys iPoint. If you do test positive we recommend you remain isolated in your bedroom until you are able to arrange safe onward travel.
We recommend regular use of the Hand Sanitisers which are available on all Ballroom tables, at all Ballroom entry points, Restauraunt entry & buffet stations and at key points around the resort venues.
Mask wearing during your break is optional.
Guests will not be required to provide evidence of vaccination status or negative LFT upon registration.
Donahey’s continues to monitor UK Government guidelines in relation to indoor seated events of 300-400 guests. If government guidance changes our policy will be updated to reflect this.
Covid Secure Policies
A copy of Donahey’s Events LTD robust Covid Secure Policy can be viewed and downloaded here;
Safety measures will be in place to ensure the safety and well-being of all our guests, performers and team. You can view each of our Resort Hotels current Covid-19 safety measures & policies here;
What if you wish to cancel or postpone your booking upto 10-weeks prior to your break
Upto 10-weeks prior to your confirmed break we are more than happy to offer you a transfer to any of our 2023 Dancing With The Stars Weekends, subject to availability.
There would be a small £25pp administration fee to cover the administration involved in your booking transfer.
If you did wish to cancel your booking, the cancellation fee would be the £100pp non-returnable deposit.
What if you wish to cancel or postpone your booking from 10-weeks prior to your break
100% cancellation charge would apply.
What if your break can go ahead, but as a result of Self-Isolation or Local Government Restrictions you are unable to join us?
Donahey’s are organising a Weekend Leisure Break with limited places available.
To maintain the commercial viability of running our Weekend Breaks with the Strictly Stars and the enormous costs associated with putting on these breaks, unfortunately we are unable to offer refunds or postponement if guests become unable to travel due to Covid-19 and the Weekend Break is still able to go ahead under national & local guidelines. This would become a matter for guests personal Travel Insurance.
If the government imposes restrictions that prevent you from travelling, and the Weekend Break is still able to go ahead under national & local guidelines, this would become a matter for your personal travel insurance.
At 10-weeks prior bedrooms are directly contracted with the Resort Hotel and paid for in full on your behalf, which is our contractual obligation to the Resort Hotels. Unfortunately we would be unable to replace your booking at such short notice.
Personal Travel Insurance policies which includes additional Covid Protection are now available at relatively low cost.
StaySure, LV, AA & CoverForYou offer extensive policies. Donahey’s recommends an online search or call to your preferred Travel Insurance provider to discuss your requirements and confirm you are happy with the inclusive Covid cover they offer.
Examples would include but are not limited too;
• A Positive Covid Test
• Feeling Unwell
• Covid Symptoms
• Local travel restrictions
• Quarantine restrictions
• Self Isolation requirements
If you already have an annual travel insurance policy, please confirm with your provider they have included Covid Protection cover.
In line with most UK holiday operators, Donahey’s requires guests take out appropriate UK Travel Insurance which covers cancellation due to Covid-19.
For such a low price and your added peace of mind, we strongly advise taking out this protection. Many holiday operators are offering this enhanced Covid Protection cover at an add-on price, unfortunately Donahey’s is not licenced to sell Insurance Policies, and are therefore unable to offer this additional paid for cover, our apologies.
What if your Dancing With The Stars Weekend cannot go ahead?
Should our Dancing With The Stars Weekend be postponed due to local or national Covid-19 restrictions affecting the resort hotels locality, we will offer you a no cost transfer to the following years Dancing With The Stars Weekend at the same venue, over the same weekend next year.
You may instead choose to switch to a different weekend or venue the following year – the choice is yours.
Alternatively, if the postponed dates don’t work for you we will offer you a full & immediate refund less a booking fee towards the direct costs incurred with your booking.
We would of course love you to continue to enjoy looking forward to spending a weekend with the Strictly Stars, so all 2024 supplier cost increases will be absorbed on any postponed bookings.
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