My first dance in Blackpool was before I was born

Strictly pros earliest memories of Tower Ballroom

- SANJEETA BAINS

THE Strictly pros have extra reason to want to waltz on to the floor this weekend as they're returning to Blackpool, ballroom dancing's spiritual home.

From the moment they decided to be dancers, they have wanted to be crowned champions there.

And some achieved that dream earlier than others in fact, Lauren Oakley was still in the womb.

The 32-year-old says: "My mum kept her pregnancy from everyone during the competition at Blackpool Tower Ballroom because she thought it wouldn't help her win.

"She then won the championships and announced her pregnancy to everyone that evening, and the next day her belly popped. It's like I was waiting for her! "It's just a really special place, for me especially. My mum danced there, my cousin has danced there, it has been in the family for a while.

"I don't remember ever spending an Easter not at Blackpool. We would have an Easter egg hunt in the arcades there." Lauren, who joined Strictly last year, had her first dance on her own two feet in Blackpool aged seven.