The stars of Strictly Come Dancing certainly looked in great spirits as they let their hair down at the hotel bar after the official wrap party was reportedly axed.
The likes of JB Gill, Katya Jones and even host Tess Daly were all smiles as they made their way into the Holiday Inn hotel’s bar to toast the weekend’s dance spectacular at the famous Blackpool Tower Ballroom.
It’s been reported that show bosses decided to ditch the annual official Blackpool knees-up following a string of scandals that have plagued the programme over the past year.
But despite this, over 100 people allegedly crammed into the entertaining areas of the hotel to enjoy the festivities, with the revelry going in to the early hours, reports The Sun.
A source told the publication: ‘The BBC were clearly concerned that being seen to throw a big shindig following the events of recent months would be a bad move.
‘Particularly as many of the claims were about bad behaviour between pros and celebrities taking place in behind-the-scenes scenarios.
The stars of Strictly Come Dancing certainly looked in great spirits as they let their hair down at the hotel bar after the official wrap party was reportedly axed
![The likes of JB Gill [pictured], Katya Jones and even host Tess Daly were all smiles as they made their way into the Holiday Inn hotel's bar to toast the weekend's dance spectacular at the famous Blackpool Tower Ballroom](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/11/18/07/92159449-14095359-JB_Gill_and_Sarah_Hadland_were_also_in_high_spirits_as_they_step-a-6_1731916526425.jpg)
The likes of JB Gill [pictured], Katya Jones and even host Tess Daly were all smiles as they made their way into the Holiday Inn hotel’s bar to toast the weekend’s dance spectacular at the famous Blackpool Tower Ballroom
‘So officially no Strictly knees-up happened at Blackpool, it was just a large group of people from the show, drinking and socialising with alcohol into the small hours.’
A spokesperson for the BBC told MailOnline: ‘For the avoidance of doubt, there was no party after the show’.
Though the cast had ‘full access’ to the hotel’s large bar and were free to have a drink if they wished.
New pictures show the beaming stars making their way into the hotel, where much of the cast and crew have been staying.
Presenter Tess dazzled in a sparkly gold bomber jacket, with her blonde locks swept up into an elegant ponytail.
While JLS singer JB was reportedly seen popping outside for some air while clutching a glass of champagne.
Chris McCausland and Dianne Buswell looked thrilled as they shared a hug together, while Wynne Evans put on a brave face after being the latest celebrity to be voted off the show.
It is said that there were attempts to keep the festivities low-key, with special film obscuring the windows of the ground floor of the hotel where the stars were gathered, so the public couldn’t peep inside.
It’s been reported that show bosses decided to ditch the annual official Blackpool knees-up following a string of scandals that have plagued the programme over the past year
But despite this, over 100 people allegedly crammed into the entertaining areas of the hotel to enjoy the festivities, with the revelry going in to the early hours, reports The Sun
While a DJ who was set up in the bar was reportedly asked to ‘step down’ before other guests arrived in a ‘bid to keep noise to a minimum’.
It comes as the show has found itself marred by controversy over how the professional dancers teach the celebrities, with multiple accusations emerging of bullying and abusive behaviour.
Actress Amanda Abbington unexpectedly quit the show last October before claiming her partner Giovanni Pernice was abusive towards her.
The show has found itself marred by controversy, with Amanda Abbington accusing Giovanni Pernice (left) of abuse while Graziano Di Prima was sacked for ‘kicking’ Zara McDermott
A subsequent BBC investigation saw the former Strictly professional, 34, cleared of the majority of allegations made against him by the star, while six were upheld, and is now moving on with his career plans.
The competition was then hit with a fresh wave of scandal when Graziano Di Prima was sacked in July for ‘kicking’ his partner, Love Island star Zara McDermott.
Meanwhile, Strictly fans were shocked by Sunday’s dance off this week, as they questioned why Pete Wicks and Jowita Przystał weren’t in the bottom two.
The TOWIE star and his partner finished bottom of the leaderboard on Saturday night, but made it through on the public vote.
Instead Wynne Evans and Katya Jones and Montell Douglas and Johannes Radebe faced off in the dance off, with Wynne sent home by the judges.
Viewers, and Pete himself, were shocked when Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman announced he had made it through.
Strictly fans were shocked by Sunday’s dance off this week, as they questioned why Pete Wicks and Jowita Przystał weren’t in the bottom two
Wynne Evans, 52, and his professional dance partner Katya Jones became the eighth couple to leave the competition
‘Pete through, that’s ridiculous. Someone must have spent a toy of money on the phone lines . The words dance of the night,’ tweeted one viewer.
‘Pete’s safe over Montell?’ asked another.
Pete and Jowita both looked shocked by the results, with the reality star later telling Claudia ‘I cannot believe it.’
Jowita also revealed that ‘he prepared a speech and everything.’