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Here are the Strictly Come Dancing Live UK Tour judges
The judges and the host for the 2018 live tour have been confirmed.
The Strictly Come Dancing Live UK Tour will return in January 2018, delivering 30 dazzling arena shows across the UK. It will follow the hugely popular BBC One dance series, which returns to TV screens later this month with a new celebrity line-up and an exciting array of routines. The Strictly Come Dancing Live UK Tour brings all the magic of the TV show to venues up and down the country, showcasing all the choreography and live music that has made Strictly such a success.
Organisers have now confirmed the judges and the host for the live tour, which will welcome reigning Strictly Come Dancing champion Ore Oduba on hosting duties. The confirmed judges are Craig Revel Horwood, who also directs the live show for the eighth year, and Bruno Tonioli. They’ll be joined by celebrities and professional dancers from the 15th series.
Further casting announcements will be made over the coming months.
“Winning Strictly was the most unforgettable experience and a dream come true,” says host Ore Oduba. “I’m so thrilled that I get to keep that dream alive and take part in the Strictly live tour once again, this time as host. This show and its fans will always hold a special place in my heart so I can’t wait to travel the UK again and meet the fantastic audiences that make Strictly the phenomenon we know and love.”
Craig Revel Horwood adds: “I’m delighted to be back directing and judging the 2018 tour. I have lots of new surprises up my sleeve – next year is going to be bigger and better than ever before. With Ore as host and a new judging panel too, this tour will be just FAB-U-LOUS!”
Fellow judge Bruno Tonioli agrees. “I’m delighted to be returning to the Strictly Live shows next year. I’ve missed the huge audiences around the country and I can’t wait to be back on tour – it’s going to be fantastico!”
The 30 event spectacular will kick off in Birmingham Arena on the 19 January 2018, visiting the likes of Belfast’s SSE Arena, Newcastle’s Metro Radio Arena, and the SSE Arena Wembley in London.
The tour culminates with two huge shows at the O2 Arena in London on the 10 and 11 February 2018.
Sign up for the priority presale is now closed, but further presale tickets will be available from 9:00 on Wednesday 20 September 2017 through Ticketmaster.co.uk. General sale tickets will then be available from 8:00 on Friday 22 September.
Here are those Strictly Come Dancing Live UK Tour dates:
19 – 21 January 2018 – Birmingham Arena, Birmingham
23 – 24 January 2018 – Metro Radio Arena, Newcastle
25 – 26 January 2018 – First Direct Arena, Leeds
27 – 28 January 2018 – Manchester Arena, Manchester
30 – 31 January 2018 – The SSE Arena, Belfast
2 – 4 February 2018 – SSE Hydro, Glasgow
6 – 7 February 2018 – Motorpoint Arena, Nottingham
8 – 9 February 2018 – SSE Arena Wembley, London
10 – 11 February 2018 – The O2, London
Who is Ore Oduba?
Before Strictly Come Dancing, Ore Oduba was best known as a current news and sports presenter, working on BBC Sport. He was also a presenter on the BBC’s Newsround from 2008 until 2014.
He is a well-versed host, having co-presented this year’s One Love Manchester proceedings on BBC One, as well as having worked on the likes of the 2016 Olympics in Rio, Brazil, and last month’s World Athletics Championships.
Who is Craig Revel Horwood?
The Australian-British choreographer and dancer has been a judge on TV’s Strictly Come Dancing since its inception in 2004. Known as the show’s harshest critic, his quick remarks have propelled him into being a household name.
As well as his work on Strictly, Horwood is also a celebrated West End choreographer, having been nominated for the coveted Olivier Award for both Spend Spend Spend and My One and Only.
As well as judging on TV and directing the live show, he’s also currently starring as Miss Hanigan in the West End production of Annie.
Who is Bruno Tonioli?
Bruno Tonioli is the only other judge on the UK’s Strictly Come Dancing, alongside Craig Revel Horwood, who has been on the panel since its inception. He is also a judge on the US adaptation, Dancing With The Stars.
As well as a successful freelance dancer, Tonioli has in his time choreographed music videos for the likes of Tina Turner, Sting, Elton John, Freddie Mercury and Boy George.
Catch Ore, Craig and Bruno on the Strictly Come Dancing Live UK Tour early next year.
Sign up for the priority presale is now closed, but further presale tickets will be available from 9:00 on Wednesday 20 September 2017 through Ticketmaster.co.uk. General sale tickets will then be available from 8:00 on Friday 22 September.
Photo by Ray Burmiston / BBC