Strictly Come Dancing celebrities launch spectacular live tour in Birmingham

The Strictly Come Dancing celebrities are ready to kick off the show’s spectacular live tour.

Fresh from a Christmas break following last year’s TV series, a select bunch of the 2017’s contestants are heading out on the road.

They’ll be taking Strictly across the country as they show off their dancing skills to thousands in person in the live tour.

The Strictly tour line up was revealed last year, made up of Gemma Atkinson and Aljaž Skorjanec; Alexandra Burke and Gorka Marquez; Susan Calman and Kevin Clifton; Davood Ghadami and Nadiya Bychkova; Joe McFadden and Katya Jones; Debbie McGee and Giovanni Pernice; and Jonnie Peacock and Oti Mabuse.

Completing the line-up for group numbers and professional dances are: AJ Pritchard, Amy Dowden, Chloe Hewitt, Dianne Buswell, Janette Manrara and Neil Jones.

The celebrities and professional dancers will be joining the tour judging panel of Craig Revel Horwood, Bruno Tonioli and Darcey Bussell.

And to round off the sparkling line-up, the tour will be hosted by reigning Strictly Champion Ore Oduba.

They will all be joined by the Strictly singers and the Strictly live band.

Ahead of their first show on Friday, Gemma said: “I’m really excited for the live shows because it’s going to be all the fun from the live shows without any of the stress.

“Without anyone facing a dance-off or anyone going home so it’s going to be all the fun without any of the bad things.”

Her fellow finalist Alexandra added: “It’s so relaxed now, you can actually feel the vibe in the rehearsal room and everyone wants to have a great time.”

And Strictly 2017 winner Joe raved at the tour press day: “It feels like the brilliant last stage of the whole thing, getting to go out around the country and see the people who voted for us, who love the show.

“It feels brilliant. It’s like we’re saying goodbye to everyone. It’s like the final chapter of this amazing journey.”

The Strictly tour will open at the Arena Birmingham on 19 January 2018 and will then visit some of the biggest entertainment venues across the UK, including a return to Belfast at the SSE Arena, following huge public demand.

Tickets, venues and info can be found online from strictlycomedancinglive.com