Strictly Come Dancing champion Jay McGuiness has confessed to experiencing significant anxiety upon his return to the BBC show's iconic dancefloor, a decade after his original win. The Wanted singer, 35, is one of four former Strictly stars who have made a special comeback for the programme's celebrated Blackpool week at the legendary Tower Ballroom.
Flashbacks and Pre-Show Nerves
The singer and actor admitted feeling overwhelming emotions as he prepared to dance again, describing the experience as both rare and incredibly fortunate. "I feel I am having flashbacks to pre-show anxiety," McGuiness revealed. "Like, who gets the chance to come back to Strictly?! It's very very rare. I wanted Strictly to have me back ever since it first happened. So I feel so lucky and I can't believe I'm here, it's really cool."
When prompted to select his favourite performance from his original 2015 stint, the star found it impossible to choose just one. He particularly remembered an enormous group number featuring the Lindy Hop that made him feel like "there were hundreds of us on the stage."
The Magic of Blackpool's Tower Ballroom
McGuiness spoke passionately about the unique atmosphere of the Blackpool special, emphasising the incredible theatre of the occasion. "The theatre of it all at Blackpool is just amazing," he said. "I remember we were buzzing, we were sat on the table at the back of the dance with all the Pros down at the front."
He went on to describe the thrilling moment when "we came zooming down among them - it was amazing!" The singer also recalled being particularly impressed by fellow contestant Anita Rani's powerful Paso Doble, which featured dramatic red curtains flying across the stage. "She was just amazing," he added. "It was one of those weeks where you go, woah, I've just watched a dance that's going to be replayed on YouTube for years."
Expert Advice for Current Contestants
As this year's competitors continue their journey toward the coveted Glitterball Trophy, McGuiness offered some valuable wisdom drawn from his own experience. His key piece of advice was simple yet profound: "Listen to the music. The clues are all in the music."
He acknowledged that every Strictly contestant follows a different path, meaning they might require varied guidance, but emphasised that tuning into the music remains universally important.
The star's return to television comes amid ongoing speculation about relationships within his former band, The Wanted. Since the group disbanded in 2015 after five successful years, and particularly following the tragic death of bandmate Tom Parker from a brain tumour in 2022, only McGuiness and Nathan Sykes appear to have maintained their close connection, while other members Max George and Siva Kaneswaran have pursued separate projects.
Observant fans have noted apparent disconnections within the band's remaining members, with some social media followers pointing out that Max and Nathan have unfollowed each other on Instagram, though neither Max nor Siva have publicly addressed claims of any ongoing feud.
