Strictly Come Dancing Live reaches Birmingham NIA

It may have left our screens for another year, but the region is bracing itself for another dose of Strictly fever.

Strictly Come Dancing Live will reach Birmingham's NIA tonight (Friday) for a five-show run – and that's not all.

Strictly stars will also present their show, Let's Do It, which features tomorrow afternoon and tomorrow evening at Birmingham Symphony Hall and Strictly pin up Brendan Cole reaches the city's New Alexandra Theatre on Monday for a one-off show.

Strictly Come Dancing Live is on the road for its fifth year. Fans can expect a multi-million-pound production with stunning costumes, dazzling dances and outspoken judges Len Goodman, Bruno Tonioli and Craig Revel Horwood, who is also directing the tour.

Celebrity dancers will line-up with professional partners, with Anita Dobson joining Robin Windsor, Chelsee Healey performing with Pasha Kovalev, Harry Judd dancing with Aliona Vilani, Jason Donovan partnering Kristina Rihanoff, Nancy Dell'Olio tripping the light fantastic with Artem Chigvintsev and Robbie Savage lining up with Katya Virshilas.

Former contestant Mark Foster is also back, with Natalie Lowe.

The celebrities are looking forward to their dancing and Anita Dobson said: "I joined Strictly to learn to dance and it is magical that I am. I feel so lucky to be part of the TV show and to go on the tour and continue dancing with my partner is just a dream come true.

"I hope the audiences will enjoy the touring show, as much as I will enjoy dancing at every performance."

Chelsee Healey said: "I am so thrilled to be part of the Strictly Tour, the TV show has been more fun than I ever could have imagined and I can't wait to carry on dancing every week."

2011 winner Harry Judd added: "I'm really looking forward to the tour, although I imagine it will be very different to touring with McFly! I can't wait to test my new found dancing skills and as I'm quite competitive, I intend to win every night!"

Jason Donovan said: "I can't wait to see the new routines we'll be performing on tour."

And Nancy Dell'Olio said: "I enjoyed every moment of my time on the show and it is great I now get to continue with my new-found passion."

And Robbie Savage said: "I'm enjoying each week more and more and I'm really glad to be continuing the experience on tour.

"I can't wait to be out on the floor every night, hopefully there won't be any cameras to crash into this time!"

* Tickets for the live show are available from www.strictlycomedancinglive.com

Andy Richardson