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Ice message for everyone to see
COME on Team Blackpool!
That's the call from the resort to the town's very own ice stars, Dan Whiston and Hayley Tamaddon.
And tourism chiefs have been making sure everyone knows how well the childhood friends are doing in reality show Dancing on Ice.
They are beaming giant photos of the pair – dubbed Team Blackpool, as they both hail from the Fylde – onto a 40ft screen on Clifton Street in Blackpool town centre.
The big screen display comes with a message urging people to vote for them when they take to the ice on Sunday.
Bosses at VisitBlackpool have also sent professional skater Dan and former Emmerdale star Hayley 'I Love Blackpool' hooded sweatshirts to wear during training.
Natalie Wyatt, head of VisitBlackpool, said: "As Hayley and Dan are both from Blackpool, they love the resort and are happy to support us in our quest to change perceptions.
We have built up a good relationship with them.
"From what I have seen so far Hayley and Dan have really shone and stood out in the competition. Success for them and Blackpool would just be absolutely fantastic and we are happy to do our bit where possible."
She added Visit Blackpool was also backing Poulton skater Stuart Widdall, who will take to the ice tomorrow, with celebrity partner Tana Ramsay.
Former Hot Ice star Dan Whiston, 32, said: "It's amazing Blackpool has done this for us.
"We both love where we come from and love coming back to Blackpool. The support we are getting in the town is brilliant and we would like to thank everybody.
"It's so nice to have two people from Blackpool skating together – we're Team Blackpool."
The pair, who have achieved high scores in both their performances, are gearing up for their seventies themed routine tomorrow.
Dan said: "This week is 70s week and we have a really good track. It's cool, classic 70s and cheesy – it suits us.
"We are loving every moment. It has been amazing to get top scores so far, we were really pleased.
"But we are not going to take anything for granted. We are still working hard, we're going to keep bringing it every week and making sure we do our best.
Enemy
"Hayley is working so hard and she isn't finding it easy. She has never skated before and the routines are becoming more difficult now as the weeks go on."
And off the ice, the pair have been fraternising with the enemy.
Dan added: "The other celebrities are really friendly. The other night we went for dinner at Gordon Ramsay's restaurant – with his wife Tana and her skating partner Stuart, from Poulton.
"We all had a great time and Gordon was lovely – even when I asked for tomato sauce!"
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Weather for Blackpool
Saturday 04 February 2012
Today
Heavy sleet
Temperature: 2 C to 4 C
Wind Speed: 22 mph
Wind direction: South east
Tomorrow
Cloudy
Temperature: 4 C to 7 C
Wind Speed: 16 mph
Wind direction: West
