Strictly Come Dancing Live: Newcastle MetroRadio Arena

DIE-HARD fans of Strictly (like me) were given their fill of glitter, sparkle and amazing entertainment in a two-and-a-half show packed with glamour, glitz and a whole lot of laughs as the professional dancers and celebrities performed some of their best and most popular performances from the last series.

Dances, such as Jay and Aliona’s Pulp Fiction Jive, Georgia and Giovanni’s Charleston, and Anita and Gleb’s steamy American Smooth to the theme tune of Ghost, had the sell-out crowd out of their seats and baying for more.

Based along the same lines as the Saturday night TV show, all of the dancers performed two dances, alongside a number of superb performances by the whole cast. It was then up to the audience to decide the winners of the glitter ball. On Wednesday night, current TV champions Jay and Aliona again walked away with the trophy.

However, the show was not about who won. Everyone who graced the floor was polished, professional and very entertaining – even poor Ainsley Harriott, who was not recognised for his twinkle-toed prowess on the show.

The show was brilliantly directed by hard-to-please judge Craig Revel Harwood, who was joined on the judging panel by loveable head judge Len Goodman and pint-sized Bruno Tonioli, who was as dramatic and entertaining as ever.

The biggest surprise of the night for me was the brilliance of show presenter Mel Giedroyc, who is better-known for hosting The Great British Bake Off on TV. Her self-deprecating, quirky, quick humour had the audience – and dancers – in fits of laughter from start to finish.

Karen Westcott