We joined the queue for ticket validation at 4am, tickets were validated at 9am. We were numbers 39 & 40. Very very cold, we had camping chairs and many blankets. The time passed surprisingly quickly though. The first people had been there since midnight.
We were told to come back at 3:15, so we were able to have a sleep and get ready for the show in the hotel.
They confiscate phones immediately on entry, and have you all waiting in a big marquee which was very cold and not enough seating. At 4:30 they took us into the studio in groups of 30. The first 30 are seated at the end of the dance floor that you never see on camera, they have the best view of everything but have the camera rigs above them and the props all behind them. We were seated on the third row right behind where Tess talks to the couples after their dance, on the end of the row where Tess and the dancers often ran past.
At 6pm they recorded Luke Evans singing for the results show. He did it three times. He literally just came on, sang, then disappeared again.
In between links Tess sits behind a pillar in the audience, looking at a script, having her hair and make up touched up and drinking Coke Zero through a straw!
Aljaz and Jeanette stand holding hands watching the dances at the top of the stairs, they're very cute.
We got out at 10:30, so other than a few biscuits we had nothing to eat since lunchtime, and we could have gone to the loo if we needed it but it was outside in the rain!
So yes a very long day but I would do it every weekend, I'm on a major real life downer now!