Tess Daly: Half term, Halloween and the benefits of Strictly

After a long first term school is finally out for half term! Yay! I’m really looking forward to a few days off with the kids and thank heavens for lie-ins (7:30am if we're lucky, but hey, it beats the usual 7.05am alarm call for the school run)!

Of course this week is all about spooky Halloween fun so, to get into the spirit of things (excuse the pun) I’ve planned a pre-Halloween party at ours. The kids will be making and decorating their own masks, there’s a pumpkin piñata, pumpkin carving and scary faces face painting - sounds like good ghoulish fun!

[Tess Daly: Strictly, 8 Out Of 10 Cats and Disney Princesses]
[Tess Daly: Bonding on Strictly and the Dummy Fairy]

The girls want to dress up as witches for our local trick or treating, I'm going as Maleficent The Evil Sorceress (inspired by the fabulous Angelina Jolie’s movie character) and Vernon’s planning on dressing up as Count Dracula. I just hope it's not as terrifying as his costume last year. His King Kong-esque gorilla outfit was SO lifelike and scary that his own children were begging him to take off his mask!

It's also the Halloween Special at Strictly this Saturday. This is without doubt my favourite show of the entire run. Expect spook-tacular costumes, special effects, make-up, stunning sets and (of course) lots of devilish dancing routines.

Sadly we won't be seeing Dragons Den’s Deborah Meaden taking part since she was the latest star to leave the show last weekend. There were plenty of tears (from both Deborah AND her partner Robin). She absolutely loved learning to dance and was enjoying her new improved fitness levels too. She looked absolutely fantastic and dropped over a stone in the 5 weeks since the series started.

[Tess Daly: Missing Bruce on Strictly, laughing with Alan Carr and the awkward reproduction chat!]
[Tess Daly: I can’t wait to be reunited with my Strictly BFF!]

The celebs are taking it more seriously now. They are often training up to (and sometimes over) 30 hours a week - phew! Rachel Riley says her body has changed completely. It was pretty spectacular before, but she says she now has a 6 pack to rival her fitness-fanatic husband.

It’s such a friendly atmosphere on the show. Our chief cameraman Chris is one of the original crew and brings in his wife’s home baked cakes for the ENTIRE team every Friday. Last week saw Chris bring in Brucie’s favourite Rocky Road.

Judges Craig, Len and Bruno are also celebrating a decade on the show. Len and Bruno judge on the US version of Strictly called Dancing With The Stars too, which transmits two series a year over there and has made them both huge stars Stateside. I once bumped into Hollywood actress Kate Hudson at a party and all she wanted to talk about was how much she loved watching Bruno! Incredibly, they are currently commuting to Los Angeles EVERY week. Hopping on a plane on Sundays after our show ready to go live from Hollywood for the Monday night! Now that's a LOT of air miles!

In addition to Halloween fun I’ve promised to take the kids out for sushi. They don't eat that much raw fish yet, but they LOVE the vegetables. Avocado and cucumber maki rolls are their favourites and they love going to the sushi places with the conveyor belts where you help yourself to dishes. They are great fun for children to choose their own.

At home we sometimes make our own sushi. It’s super easy and healthy too. All you need is sheets of nori seaweed, sushi rice (you can find this at most supermarkets) and whatever filling you want to roll up inside - tuna mayo and avocado is hard to beat! Oh and don't forget the soy sauce.

This weekend there are lots of bonfires happening too (weather permitting). We're planning ours on Sunday along with lots of fireworks. If you're doing the same I hope yours goes with a BANG!

See you next week!

Love Tess xxx

Read more from guest writer Tess Daly:

Tess Daly: Back To School, Back To Strictly
Tess Daly: Sneaking in their five-a-day and meeting Prince Harry
Tess Daly: After school fun and all the gossip from Strictly
Tess Daly: I can’t wait to be reunited with my Strictly BFF!
Tess Daly: Missing Bruce on Strictly, laughing with Alan Carr and the awkward reproduction chat!
Tess Daly: Bonding on Strictly and the Dummy Fairy
Tess Daly: Strictly, 8 Out Of 10 Cats and Disney Princesses