Ecstatic Strictly Come Dancing fans were left stunned by a "fantastic" show as the beloved ballroom extravaganza returned to Nottingham for the second time in as many days in a thrilling show. Dance enthusiasts were at the city's Motorpoint Arena on Wednesday (January 25) with thousands exiting the venue after the matinee show which ended, after four hours, at 5pm.
Some excited fans were seen wearing sequin outfits matching the eight glitterballs hanging from the ceiling inside the venue and glamorous decor. Strictly favourites Will Mellor and Nancy Xu were the evenings winner, and "deservedly so" according to giddy fans who had just watched the showpiece.
Reigning Strictly champs Hamza Yassin and Jowita Przystal were also among the contestants, with Helen Skelton and Fleur East joining as part of an all-star lineup.
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Anton Du Beke joined fellow judges Shirley Ballas and Craig Revel-Horwood for the first time on a Strictly live tour. The third and final Live Show in two days began at 6pm, so staff were on hand to get fans into and out of the arena.
Marie Willmott, 54, who watches the show on TV "all the time", said: "It was absolutely fantastic. To watch them from where they were at the start to where they are now - they look like professionals - it's just amazing.
"Definitely worth the entry fee. Will Mellor won - he fully deserved it.
"We watch it all the time so to be here was lovely."
Sally Harrison, 57, said: "We loved it. I've been watching it for years and we were excited to come - it lived up to expectations, no doubt."
Elena Rothie, 57, came to watch the show from Derbyshire, she said: "Oh it was fantastic. We all had a really great time.
"We watch it as a family whenever it's on so we were quick onto the tickets as soon as we knew the dates! It's just like it is on TV really - very glitzy.
"It's actually the best I've ever seen them all perform, they were bloody fantastic. I was close to tears at one point because I've been watching it all the way through.
"It can get emotional. We'll be coming back next year if we can."
With Nottingham Forest's League Cup semi final match against Manchester United at 8pm, fans were warned throughout the day about traffic issues after the show.
61-year-old Alan Palmer lives in Beeston and attended the show with his wife. He said: "I'm not a massive fan of it but they put on a fantastic show. It was really really great.
"My wife watches it whenever it's on and catch it here and there. I wasn't too thrilled about coming if I'm being honest but I'm glad I came along.
"I didn't really have a choice! But no it was a really spectacular show that they put on.
"It was definitely worth the money."
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