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Original poster

People who have been to Strictly - what do I need to know please?

28 replies

BarbieBrightSide · 27/11/2017 16:50

After years of trying I have finally got tickets to watch the recording of Strictly! I am beyond excited!

I know that tickets are not a guarantee to get in and that seats are allocated on a first come, first served basis, but wondered if anyone who has been could give us some tips as to how early to arrive, what to wear, where to stay the night before / after. (We're too far away to travel down on the day.)

We'd be gutted if we didn't get in after finally getting a chance to go.

Thanks in advance

OP posts:
iklboo · 27/11/2017 16:53

First you have to send them to me for safekeeping Grin

IHaveBrilloHair · 27/11/2017 16:58

You must leer at AJ on my behalfGrin

fresh · 27/11/2017 17:04

We got there about 6am I think and we got in no problem. I think it's unusual for people not to get in unless they stroll up at 9. There's a hotel just across the road; we didn't stay there but we did change in their loos! They encourage you to dress up although as we were in the balcony and invisible it didn't really matter. However, we were nearly placed just behind the judges when it might have mattered so I'd err on the side of a bit glam if I were you. There is a lot of standing about waiting to get in and not many seats in the holding area, so I wouldn't wear 6 inch heels - plus the backstage bit is dark and covered in cables, and has steep steps if you're put upstairs. It takes AGES - we were in Elstree for over five hours in the end. They're happy for you to take a snack in to eat between the recording of the live show and the results show, and they hand out drinks/sweets in between. Go to the loo before the show - you can get out after the live show but not before. They remind you of this a LOT. No mobile phones - they check bags at the door.

But you will love it, the whole thing is fascinating to watch and you'll never watch the results show in the same way again once you've seen the order everything is filmed in real life!

Original poster
BarbieBrightSide · 27/11/2017 17:32

Not sending them anywhere iklboo but thanks for the offer!

I have commented before at home on how beautiful AJ is, but as I am old enough to be his mother I don't feel I can leer Brillo

Thanks for all that info fresh I will have a look at the hotel across the road (might have to ask DH for an early Christmas present to stay there - not taking him with me though!) Good tip about the snacks and lack of loo breaks, thank you. I am very excited to be going, can't quite believe it! (I'd already had the 'sorry you've been unsuccessful' email for this date)

OP posts:
honeysucklejasmine · 27/11/2017 17:34

fresh now I'm curious... What order do they film it in?

IHaveBrilloHair · 27/11/2017 17:35

I'm old enough to be his mother too, I don't care!

RosyWelshcakes · 27/11/2017 17:36

We got there about 6am I think and we got in no problem

What did you do from 6am till the show started at night?

RosyWelshcakes · 27/11/2017 17:37

But you will love it, the whole thing is fascinating to watch and you'll never watch the results show in the same way again once you've seen the order everything is filmed in real life

what does that mean?

dorislessingscat · 27/11/2017 17:40

SIX AM IN THE MORNING?Shock

TheHobbitMum · 27/11/2017 17:41

Get there VERY early as they offer far more tickets than seats to make sure it's full. I got MIL tickets a few years back for the Christmas special and they queued and waited a lot during the day (they stayed over night in the hotel opposite) but had a fantastic time watching it. Have a great time OP

pontiouspilates · 27/11/2017 17:42

I went last year and it is a great experience! We arrive midday ish to register then went home and came back - there was a bit of waiting around and it was cold - so do take a coat! We were told that we could not be guaranteed entry but we all got in - no problem. There's not very much to do in Elstree to be honest, so the hotel opposite would probably be your best bet. Enjoy it, it really is a fun experience and as others have said, you will never watch the show in the same way again!

spectacularvelvet · 27/11/2017 17:43

6am ConfusedConfusedConfused

mrsmildred · 27/11/2017 18:03

There's a Travelodge a short taxi ride away. Lots of people going to Strictly stay there.

Go and queue as early as possible. 6am is not an unreasonable time if you want a decent seat. In lots of places you will have a very restricted view, you almost certainly won't see the dance as well as you do on TV, especially the footwork if you are a few rows back. Although being there makes up for it obviously! You can go back to the hotel and rest and change after.

It is a very long day. Eat a decent lunch as you won't have dinner and won't get back to your hotel till 10ish. Def take snacks in your bag, there will only be bar snacks and vending machines out the back, when I went they handed out a small kitkat and kid size carton of juice after the live show.

honeysucklejasmine They get the audience seated around 4-5. Then the warm up guy comes out and they start filming. Claudia and Tess pre-record the bits you see on BBC1 advertising the show. Then they record the special guest acts and the pro dances for the results show. They might do these more than once if there's a sound issue, or someone messes up. Then it's the live show. Then a quick break while the voting happens.

The results show is basically the same order as you see but without the pro dance at the start and the guest act. Claudia introduces them, we clap...and they cut.

It really is a great day despite all the waiting around and queueing. Its such a professional, well organised machine, everyone from the runners, production staff, security, as well as the dancers, judges and Claudia and Tess are so involved and there really is an understanding that this is a big deal for the audience, as well as for the TV.

sunnyday1976 · 27/11/2017 18:41

I’ve been lucky enough to go 3 times - once at TV Center and twice at Elstree. We started queuing at about 4am both times at Elstree, and were in the first 20 in both times. We stayed in the Ibis over the road on the Friday and Saturday nights (live a good 3 hours drive away). The queuing time goes really quickly and everyone is so friendly. Take camping chairs, blankets and umbrellas if you want to queue early. Last time we went (2years ago) tickets were validated at 9am and you could go away again till 3ish. There’s a Tesco just down the road that has toilets and a coffee machine and a McDonalds not far away for breakfast! One of you can stay in the queue while the other goes for supplies!! If you have a car with you there’s a big car park behind the Ibis. Most importantly- enjoy it - you’ll have a great time!!

fresh · 27/11/2017 19:04

rosywelshcakes we headed into central London on the train as our son happened to be visiting for a debating thing - it was a long way for a 5 minute chat with him....

And, as someone above has said, they record the guest performer slot and the pro dance before the main live show, at least they did when we went. It was Will Young when we went, and he did it in one take, unlike the pro dancers who took a couple of attempts. Various bits of the dance were filmed in a different order to what was broadcast too.

morningtoncrescent62 · 27/11/2017 19:22

Blimey, 6am Shock - so what do you do between queuing and getting seated at 4pm. Surely you don't spend all that time in the queue? Or do they allocate seats and then you go away and come back later?

I'm joining the chorus of those who want to know the order they film the components of the results show. It would be funny if the dance-off is first, and they're all faking the delight/horror/excitement. GlitterballGlitterballGlitterballGlitterball

DuncanDonut · 27/11/2017 19:25

I was trying to work out when they would have filmed the pasadoblethon thing on this weekend's show - it couldn't have been in order, or they'd have had to change clothes twice.

Ilikesweetpeas · 27/11/2017 19:30

You do need to be there very early! Queuing from 4 am we had good seats a few rows back, behind the dancers family. It's all filmed out of order, so show dance filmed in the afternoon! It's a long day but brilliant Smile you can't take your phones in

mrsmildred · 27/11/2017 19:34

DuncanDonut errmm the pasadoblethon was part of the main show which is live. Each couple goes to change for it after their main dance meaning the last couple get about 2 minutes to change. They ended the show in their paso outfits so they only changed once.

Frigglet · 27/11/2017 19:47

Ooh, how exciting for you!! Can I just say though, that although the studio is called Elstree Studios, it’s in Borehamwood. Just saying as if you google hotels etc in Elstree it’ll give you inaccurate results. Confusing, I know. Depending on what you fancy, there’s a Toby carvery, McDonald’s, delicatessens galore or Ben and Ollie’s amongst your eatery options. For hotels, there are a few - three that I can call to mind - within a short walking distance. For things to do to pass time?? There’s a couple of gyms 😀, swimming pools, about 8-10 charity shops, a huge Tesco - with Costa, a small retail park, a cinema, library (often has daytime events, recital things, screenings etc). Oh, and a bingo hall!! I’m really selling the place up, but if it’s a nice day and it’s your thing, there’s also a park with swans and ducks a short walk away. Parking is £5 all day and doesn’t close, so you don’t need to worry about finish times.

Original poster
BarbieBrightSide · 27/11/2017 20:04

Thank you all so much for your advice and suggestions. I think we'll end up going down on the Friday night, but unfortunately I don't finish work until 7pm on the Friday. Don't mind a hideously early start if it means good seats and as we'll be staying the Saturday night too we can always go back to our hotel for a quick nap if needs be once we've got our tickets validated (do they give you seat numbers when you get validated, or is it another case of first come first served for the performance seats?)

We've been to the tour which we really enjoyed and I suppose we can always watch our episode on the telly anyway for anything we miss by actually being there.

Can't wait!

OP posts:
ElfrideSwancourt · 27/11/2017 20:20

We went earlier this year- it was fantastic! We too went up on Friday night and stayed in the Travelodge - it was about 15 mins walk.
We arrived at Elstree at about 6.45am and got in easily- everyone got in apparently that day. The queue was very friendly- definitely bring camping chairs though!
We booked a late checkout at the hotel so had plenty of time to get ready and then filled up with food. They were happy to look after our cases at reception.
We took our phones as had nowhere to leave them- we handed them over at security and it only took minutes to get them back at the end.

Wear something very sparkly so all your friends and family can easily find you when they're watching- I have pink hair so was easy to spot apparently!
My daughter and I had a brilliant time- I hope you do too xx

ElfrideSwancourt · 27/11/2017 20:23

You don't get seat numbers but you do go into the studio in groups depending on your ticket validation number- some people had slept out all night (it was week 4 so weather still mild) so they would get in first. We were behind the judges- the view wasn't amazing but the atmosphere is fantastic!

pinkpopcorn · 27/11/2017 20:26

We got there to 7am and were 189 and 190 in the queue, were sat behind the judges so had a pretty decent seat. The people at the front of the queue got there at midnight and even brought a tent!

Have a big meal before you go in as we were there for 7 hours (although that was at the beginning of the series so there were a lot more celebrities. You do get given a box of juice and a kitkat between the live show and the results show recording.

If not staying overnight there is lots of parking nearby.

We dressed up glam and glad we did as it funner and we even got our photo taken there which was nice!

Have a great time it’s a very long day but is a great experience!

pinkpopcorn · 27/11/2017 20:31

We also had Tess sitting next on us when she was off the camera which as very weird, but she was very nice and even gave us sweets Grin