THE glamour and sparkle of TV’s Strictly Come Dancing had thousands of die-hard fans baying for more when the live tour arrived in Newcastle this week.

While freezing temperatures and snow were hitting the North-East region, hearts were melting inside the Metro Radio Arena where celebrities from the 2014 series and their professional dancers put on an amazing show of dance, song and glitter.

From the moment the spangly curtain quite literally went up, the cheering crowd was entertained with an abundance of magical dance routines and superb live music and vocals, with a generous helping of banter and fun.

All of the big names from last year’s series, including winner Caroline Flack, Blue singer Simon Webbe, Alison Hammond, Mark Wright, Scott Mills and Thom Evans, shimmied and shook their stuff throughout the two-hour show.

They each performed two dances in a bid to pick up the night’s glitter ball trophy, which included some of the series’ most memorable numbers, such as Simon and Kristina Rihanoff’s Argentine Tango and Caroline Flack's Charleston.

However, it was the show’s numerous group performances that will stick with me the longest. Wonderful choreography, costumes to die for, great staging and even fireworks, all played their part in making this show a huge success.

Of course, Strictly wouldn’t be Strictly without a witty judging panel, so it was little wonder the show’s Mr Nasty, Craig Revel Horwood, got a rapturous welcome when he danced his way into the arena along with 2008 winners Tom Chambers and Camilla Dallerup, who joined him on the panel. Host Zoe Ball even surprised the crowd with her own dancing talent, despite wearing a ridiculously tight floor-length gown and killer heels.

On the night, however, it was the audience which voted to crown the winners and Ms Flack wasn’t in with a shout.

My vote went to former S Club 7 singer Rachel Stevens, who had stepped in just a week earlier to cover for The Saturday’s Frankie Bridge, who pulled out after announcing her pregnancy. Despite having just six days to learn seven dances, Rachel performed a sublime Rumba that was nothing short of exquisite.

However, the fact her dance partner was also my favourite, Kevin (from Grimsby) Clifton, may have slightly influenced my choice.

That said, there were no losers in this star-spangled show – only winners. In short, it was fab-u-lous!

Karen Westcott