Stars of the latest series of Strictly Come Dancing have reunited before heading on the road.
The cast of the 2024 dance competition will soon go on their UK tour as they show off their moves to fans. Celebrities including Tasha Ghouri, Sarah Hadland, Wynne Evans and Jamie Borthwick have returned to the rehearsal room to get ready. They have been joined by fan-favourite professional dancers Amy Dowden, Lauren Oakley and Kai Widdrington.
Ahead of next week's start date, the celebrities and professional dancers wrapped up as they went into rehearsals. Wynne, Tasha and Jamie met each other outside as they headed into the dance facility together. Sarah beamed as she carried a handful of bags in with her, while Shayne Ward flashed a peace sign.
Dancer Amy Dowden kept warm in a long black puffer coat while smiling as she approached the studio. Jowita Przystal also tried to keep warm as she made a subtle entrance. Judge Craig Revel Horwood wrapped up in a white puffer coat as he headed up the stairs into rehearsal.
Winner Chris McCausland and pro Dianne Buswell won't be touring with their co-stars after he became the first ever blind contestant to win the long-running dance competition. Confessing he didn't think he would be in the competition long enough to join the tour, he was unable to move his own tour dates around.
He said: "It's fine to have two different feelings about the same thing. I would've loved to have done more dancing with Dianne and it would've been a lot of fun, but also I'm very lucky to have people want to watch me do stand-up and I'm enjoying getting back into that."
Despite Chris not being able to make it, judges Motsi Mabuse, Anton Du Beke, Shirley Ballas and Craig Revel Horwood will return as well as former professional dancer Janette Manrara who will host, the same as previous years. Strictly fans have 34 dates to choose from if they want to catch them in action.
The 2025 tour opens at Birmingham’s Utilita Arena on Friday, January 17 with five shows over the next three days before the celebs - complete with glitz, glamour and, of course sequins - will make their way to some of the UK’s biggest entertainment venues. Locations include Sheffield, Newcastle, Glasgow, Liverpool, Leeds, Manchester, Nottingham and London.
Speaking about taking part in the Strictly Live Tour, JB Gill - who made it to the final of the 2024 series - said: "I’ve loved dancing on Strictly, so I’m thrilled to be going on the live tour. It’ll be fun being back at some of the venues I’ve played with JLS and I can’t wait for all the fans of the show to come out and see us dance for them live! It’s going to be amazing!"
Fellow finalist Tasha Ghouri added: "I can’t believe I’m going to be performing in arenas – it’s a real pinch me moment and an amazing way to continue this journey, I’ve loved it so much. I’m so happy that all the shows on the tour are going to be BSL signed. It’s really important to me that everyone feels represented and included and I hope everyone, including the amazing people who have supported me from the deaf community, come along and watch. It’s going to be incredible!"
Just like in the Strictly Ballroom on Saturday night's this Live Tour will come complete with performances and the judges pinpointing every wrong - or right - foot. In addition, you can expect jaw-dropping group dances and a showstopping finale. Get tickets to the Strictly Come Dancing Live Tour here.
