JADAR

★★★★★

Since its launch in 2004, Strictly Come Dancing has become one of the BBC’s most successful shows, televising the journey of our favourite celebrities as they learn how to find their groove. Strictly Come Dancing Live showcases the previous season’s biggest showstopper routines with extra surprises, larger group routines, and a healthy dose of classic Strictly mischief as the celebs battle it out for the show’s regional glitterball trophy.

As an avid viewer of the series, the allure of sequins and shimmies was always going to hook me in. In my review of 2025’s live tour, I highlighted how the dazzling displays of showmanship were dampened by the pitfalls of clunky scripting and eternally high score-paddles… Boy, was this year different!

While the “£5 lollipop stick” paddles and on-screen advertising are back with a vengeance, the merchandising is sleeker and more varied than previous years. The 25p text-message voting system is still in place, the blow softened by the vow that 10p from each vote would be donated to Comic Relief.

This time, there’s no golden curtains around the central platform, but a giant chandelier of variously sized glitterballs swings above the central platform. Designed by Patrick Doherty, the iconic Strictly staircase envelopes musical director Allan Rogers and his band, the set vibrantly decorated with myriads of eye-catching videos, refracting lights, and spurts of fire. Additionally, live-recordings of the event are streamed to two large screens with accompanying sign-language interpretations. Vicky Gill’s costume have the same charm, capturing the essence of Strictly glamour with myriads of iconic looks from the season accompanied by several fresh,  bold designs.

After a short countdown, the professionals grace the stage with an enthralling opening number before the celebs join in, the ensemble decadently decorated in rich glittering blue variations as singers Tommy Blaize, Andrea Grant, Tara McDonald, Patrick Smyth pump out energetic party anthems. Janette Manrara (ex-pro and co-presenter of Strictly spin-off It Takes Two) boogies on-stage in a caped pink cocktail dress (“curtains” to La Voix), before introducing the judges who caper down the stairs to the famous Strictly theme. First is series veteran and tour director Craig Revel Horwood, who’s soon joined by the ‘Queen of Latin’ and ‘King of the Ballroom’ Shirley Ballas and Anton Du Beke.

Judge Motsi Mabuse was unable to attend, along with season 23’s winner, footballer Karen Carney, who sent a heartfelt video to the show.

While inconsequential, the judges scores are backed by better constructive criticism, receiving a wider variety of scores and leading to some gripping authentic interactions. Craig immediately re-establishes himself as the panto villain of the series, lording, “If you lot can’t boo properly, don’t bother,” while several of his scores received hilarious boos and hisses. His best moments are when his critical persona cracks, glimmers of a stifled grin creeping in, a cheeky glint of amusement, or full-hearted laughter in the show’s more absurd moments.

The tour is structured much like the TV show, introducing the celebrities with short videos before their first dance, following up with discussions and judges’ scores. This repeats in act two were celebrities perform their second routine, the show concluding with an audience vote.

Gladiator Harry Aikines-Aryeetey & Karen Hauer started with an energetic Cha cha to Salt-N-Pepa’s ‘Push It’, the memorable push-up wowing the crowd before his second number, a peppy salsa to ‘I Always Wanted A Brother’ from Mufasa: The Lion King with some beautiful ornately beaded and multi-patterned costumes. His jovial smile and pectoral flexes had the judges comedically swooning.

Presenter Vicky Pattison & Kai Widdrington began with a militaristic couple’s choice to Cheryl Cole’s ‘Fight for this love’ before a ravishing tango to Taylor Swift’s ‘The Fate of Ophelia’, accented with mesmerising staccato moves and emerald, green costuming. Her red lipstick certainly left a mark on Anton!

Model Ellie Goldstein & Vito Coppola made ‘Team Cheeky’, reciting their Spice Girls salsa and finishing on the memorable ‘Golden’ from K-Pop Demon Hunters routine, golden tassels and sheer vests accenting their performance.

Footballer Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink & Lauren Oakley belted a football into the crowd during their quickstep to The Fratellis’ earworm ‘Chelsea Dagger’. Their Cha cha to Marvin Gaye’s ‘Heard It Through the Grapevine’ was alluring with delightfully sassy, filled with hipswivels and various shades of red and pink.

Performer and Drag Queen La Voix was electric with Aljaž Škorjanec, their lavish Queen of Hearts Paso doble to Beethoven’s ‘the 5th’ filled with flashy skirt swishes and dramatic lurches. Things went a little unceremoniously with her second performance, Aljaž spending a quarter of the song in agony after an accidental prod to the privates in what Craig called “a complete dance disaster” using a comedic “1” padel… how nuts! Despite the blunder, the dance was lightning, the leather cladded La Voix rocking the limelight. In fact, La Voix was a recurring highlight of the show, her quick-witted retorts against Craig had the audience screaming with laughter and roaring with approving thunderous applause.

West End and TV Star Lewis Cope & Katya Jones stole the show with their charismatic swagger. Baby pink pantsuits and suspenders dominated the dancefloor in their Arctic Monkeys Charleston before suiting up in raggedy tuxedos in their creepy jazz performance to Radiohead’s ‘Creep’. Their dynamic leaps, levitating spins and peppy pizazz were breath-taking (as was that piano routine). Craig gave them a well-earned “a-ma-zing” after the audience’s standing ovation, acknowledging he felt that “Lewis was robbed” for not reaching the finals this year (as did I).

Influencer George Clarke & series newcomer Alexis Warr stunned with their swishy Viennese Waltz to Queen’s ‘Somebody to Love’, their posture and smooth transitions were enchantingly classy. The goofy yet surprising complex Charleston to Yolanda Be Cool & DCUP’s ‘We No Speak Americano’ return, earning a “swivel-tastic” compliment from Craig.

Manc-born West End star Layton Williams also made his Strictly return with Nikita Kuzmin, whose current dance partner Amber Davies made it to the finals (but isn’t touring due to theatrical obligations with Legally Blonde). The 2023 team reunite once again, sadly not competing in the evening’s glitterball competition, but charming audiences none-the-less. The purple suits are back for the passionate Argentine tango to Loreen’s ‘Tattoo’, followed by ritzy corsets and bejewelled pants in the jaw-dropping, jazzy (and flip-filled) showdance to ‘Friend Like Me’ from Aladdin.

Alongside the competition choreography were a slew of thrilling group numbers, some performed by the full ensemble, others by solo professionals: Jake Leigh, Julian Caillon, Neil Jones, Luba Mushtuk, Michel Tsiakkas, and Nancy Xu, who shone in every number.

Act one’s Britney finale was brimming with nostalgic 90s energy as colourful banners and iconic costumes burst across the stage in meticulously choreographed routines. Choreographer Jason Gilkison creates an incredible array of routines that constantly enchant and excite the audience.

The judges’ timelapse dance was another showstopper, a hilariously wigged Craig narrating us through the flowy pastels and dapper tailcoats of Anton’s 70’s routine, the bold ruffles and flawlessly flicking footwork of Shirley’s spicy 80’s dance, before Janette’s bounding passionate 90s number leads us to a massive ‘Murder on The Dance Floor’ finisher.

After a tense elimination process, my personal favourite, Lewis Cope bagged Manchester’s Saturday evening glitterball trophy, celebrating before concluding the show with a well-synchronised catchy Steps megamix, topped with pops of confetti and sparkling pyrotechnics.

Strictly Come Dancing Live Tour! is an authentic theatrical experience, transporting audiences into the lively world of flamboyant fashion and daring dance usually limited to the screen. Unlike last year’s production, the comedy is spontaneous, the judging feels fairly constructive, and each routine is grand and dazzling. It’s the perfect blend of Strictly mischief that’s sure to delight fans up and down the country.

Strictly Come Dancing Live Tour tours the UK until February 15.

Photo: Strictly Come Dancing Live Tour