Presenters, Bruce Forsyth and Tess Daly, along with stars of the hit BBC show, including the resort's own Craig Kelly, will be joined by rock legend Rod Stewart and his wife, Penny Lancaster, who will be performing on the big night.

And staff at the Tower Ballroom are working hard to make sure the world famous venue is ready when ballroom heads back to Blackpool on Saturday.

Before BBC crews move into the Tower Ballroom on Wednesday evening, a stage used over the summer will be removed to expose a grand staircase and the cabaret-style tables will be taken away to make way for the 1,000-strong audience.

Geoff Sage, general manager at the Tower, has been overseeing proceedings.

He said: "It's very exciting and we have been getting ready for the celebrities and camera crews to come in."

Over the summer the ballroom has been set out in a theatre style, with a separate sound booth on the floor, and a stage in front of the main stage.

But today, the smaller stage will be removed to reveal the stairs, making the room look even grander. The tables will be taken out, so more chairs can be set out in rows, for up to 1,000 people to watch.

Mr Sage added: "Workmen have applied a new coat of polish to the floor, and it will be thoroughly dusted and cleaned to its usual high standard."

Shimmying onto the newly-polished 120ft by 120ft mahogany, oak and walnut floor on Saturday will be remaining contestants cricket legend, Phil Tuffnell, Hollyoaks actor Ricky Whittle, The Bill star, Ali Bastian, former Eastender Natalie Cassidy, Olympic athlete Jade Johnson and, of course, our very own Craig.

Mr Sage added: "It's brilliant Craig has made it to the Blackpool Tower ballroom, it gives the show a new dimension if it's in Blackpool and we have a Blackpool man to root for.

"When the camera crew arrives today we will be working with them to set up the room in the best way. It's difficult because the camera has to keep off the floor, but they have very specialised equipment."

To celebrate the return of Strictly, beginners can learn with special dance lessons run by former professional Karen Hardy at the Winter Gardens.

The lessons, from 10am until 12.30pm and 2pm until 4.30pm on Saturday, are aimed at getting everyone in the mood for dancing before the big night – and they are free to anyone.