The celebrities of Strictly Come Dancing have commenced their rehearsals for the 2026 tour, set to begin in Birmingham on January 23 and travel to various cities including Newcastle, Leeds, Manchester, and Glasgow before concluding at London’s O2 on February 15.
Notable figures such as George Clarke and Vicky Pattison displayed their enthusiasm as they arrived for the first day of rehearsals. Alongside them, Shirley Ballas, Anton Du Beke, and Craig Revel Horwood will reunite on the judging panel, with Janette Manrara returning as the tour host.
The upcoming tour guarantees a captivating spectacle of dance routines, including group performances accompanied by live music from the BBC Strictly band. Each show will feature the judges critiquing the performances, while the audience will determine the nightly winner through voting.
Shirley expressed her anticipation for the tour, emphasizing its significance in commencing the new year with excitement. Similarly, Du Beke shared his enthusiasm for his fourth Strictly tour, highlighting the magic of witnessing audience enthusiasm each night.
Ellie Goldstein, the first contestant with Down Syndrome on the show, exuded delight at being back in the dance studio. Meanwhile, George Clarke, despite not clinching the 2025 Strictly Come Dancing glitterball, radiated joy at returning to the dance floor.
The talented Aljaz Škorjanec, married to Janette Manrara, exhibited enthusiasm as he arrived for rehearsals. Layton Williams expressed his honor at being invited back for a second time, while former footballer Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink appeared eager and prepared with a water bottle in hand.
Gladiator and Olympian Harry Aikines-Aryeetey arrived in style, clad in a green tracksuit and carrying his belongings, showcasing his eagerness to commence rehearsals. Vicky Pattison, who previously finished 8th with partner Kai Widdrington, is back and undoubtedly excited to return to the dance floor.
Returning after an injury, La Voix, a beloved drag performer, expressed delight at making a comeback. Pro dancer Luba Mushtuk, although not paired with a celebrity, will participate in group numbers alongside fellow pros like Neil Jones and Nancy Xu.
The pro dancers, Alexis Warr and Julian Caillon, entered rehearsals together, while fan-favorite couple Vito Coppola and Ellie Goldstein are set to dazzle audiences once again in the Strictly Come Dancing Live Tour 2026.