Strictly Come Dancing stars Will Mellor, Ellie Simmonds and Tyler West will relive their TV experience as they are the first celebrities announced to join the show’s returning UK arena tour.
The three celebrities will join host Janette Manrara and judges Shirley Ballas, Craig Revel Horwood and Anton Du Beke, who is appearing on the tour for the first time, for 31 tour dates kickstarting on January 20 in Birmingham’s Utilita Arena.
The live show will waltz around the country at venues including Nottingham’s Motorpoint Arena, Leeds’ First Direct Arena, the AO Arena in Manchester, and Sheffield and Newcastle’s Utilita Arena, as well as London’s O2 Arena and the SSE Arena in Belfast, before culminating at the OVO Hydro in Glasgow on February 12.
Actor Mellor, who is partnered with Nancy Xu on the show, said: “Strictly has been one of the most memorable and emotional journeys I’ve ever been on! Stepping out of my comfort zone and being a part of this massive show is something I’ll never forget.
“I can’t wait to put on my dancing shoes and go around the country to perform on huge stages in front of thousands of people who have watched and supported us. Bring on the tour!”
Paralympic swimming champion Simmonds, who was the sixth contestant to be eliminated from the competition this year alongside her partner Nikita Kuzmin, said: “Strictly was a such an incredible life-changing and emotional experience for me.
“It gave me a huge confidence boost and the feeling that anything is possible. So to be able to continue my journey on the tour next year is going to be amazing. I can’t wait!”
Kiss FM DJ West, who was voted off the dancing show after competing at Blackpool’s Tower Ballroom, said: “I never realised how much dance would change my life, but I can’t express how much I’ve loved it and fully embraced this opportunity to learn to dance with the best dance partner anyone could ask for in Dianne.
“I am so happy my Strictly journey isn’t over quite yet and I can’t wait to relive some of our favourite dances and live like a pop-star on tour performing for audiences each night. I am buzzing to get on the road with the gang.”
Revel Horwood returns to direct the 2023 tour, which will feature celebrities and professional dancers from the current series of the BBC One show, together with the Strictly Live Band.
Organisers said the tour was a “great way” to celebrate the 20th series of the programme, with fans being able to experience “everything they love about the TV show live on stage”.
The audience will get the chance to watch the celebrities perform their routines while having the power to decide who wins the Glitterball trophy at the end of each show, getting to vote for their favourite couple via text.
Each performance of the tour will host a British Sign Language interpreter, who will be displayed on two large screens either side of the stage so that attendees can book tickets and sit almost anywhere in the arena to enjoy the experience with family and friends, organisers said.
Further casting announcements will be made soon.
