Strictly Live Newcastle tickets on sale from September 23

CELEBRATING ten FAB-U-LOUS years, the Strictly Come Dancing Live UK Tour extravaganza, which is directed by Craig Revel Horwood, is heading for the MetroRadio Arena Newcastle, on Tuesday, January 24, with two performances.

TV Judges Len Goodman and Revel Horwood will be joined on the panel by former Strictly professional dancer and winner of the 2006 series Karen Hardy. This year's host is Countryfile's Anita Rani, who was a semi-finalist in the 2015 series and a contestant on this year’s live tour. Goodman says: “The live tour always has such a great atmosphere and the tenth anniversary tour will definitely be one to remember, especially as this will come as I complete my final year on the TV series as head judge. Rest assured audiences, this tour will be a ten from Len.”

Details of celebrities and professional dancers appearing on tour will be announced over the coming months. Not only will the celebrities and their dance partners compete for the judges’ scores, they will also be battling to win votes from the arena audiences, who can text vote via their mobile phones and ultimately have the power to decide who wins the coveted Glitterball Trophy at the end of each show.

Last December an audience of nearly 12 million viewers tuned in to watch the Strictly Come Dancing Grand Final on BBC1, when The Wanted singer Jay McGuiness won with his professional dance partner Aliona Vilani. The television format has been sold to more than 50 countries.

* Tickets costing from £35 will go on sale at 10am on Friday, September 23 and are available online, metroradioarena.co.uk, from the booking hotline number 0844-493-6666 or at the MetroRadio Arena Box Office.

Viv Hardwick