Strictly A-maz-ing!!!

What a day and definitely one I'll remember for a long time!

I was lucky enough to get tickets to go to the filming of the Strictly 2017 launch show at Elstree Studios. I dropped the children with some v kind friends who were taking them on a day out until T came back at lunch and then headed off just after 9am. Had to get my tickets validated as soon as I got there to guarantee seats (they overissue so I was a bit nervous). Anyway once I had my stickers I could relax a bit.

Lunch, a spot of shopping and then over to the Ibis hotel for a snack, tea and to get ready. Met my friend who was coming too and we walked over to the studios feeling all glam.

We were let into the audience tent at 4pm and were relieved of our phones and coats. We had this photo taken and then had a couple of proseccos, soaked up the atmosphere and waited to get into the studio.

We went in at 6pm and by this point were so excited. It was amazing to see the behind the scenes work on Strictly. We were sitting opposite the judges so could see their faces & expressions and could see Tess and Claudia doing their pieces to camera. All the pros and new celebrities came on and did the dance to launch the show. Various dances had to be re-filmed if the director wasn't happy.

We saw Shania Twain and Rita Ora perform - both were brilliant, accompanied by their bands and dancers.

The Strictly band were incredible and sat for so long under hot studio lights, performing excellent music and all the Strictly favourites. I got serious goosebumps when the Strictly theme filled the Studio and the dancers all came onto the stage.

The dancing was fab, atmosphere was electric, the pro dancers and celebs worked really hard, sometimes doing several takes of a dance to get it right. There were 250 crew working on the show and almost 4 million people had applied for tickets - I felt very very lucky to be there.

What a night, what an experience. Needless to say we loved it, clapped, sang along, whooped and cheered until we were hoarse and exhausted!! We left at 11.30pm when filming finished after 5 hours!

Home by 1am. Pooped!!