Strictly Come Dancing have announced the first three celebs who will strutting their stuff in the show’s 2024 UK Arena tour.
Former Corrie actress Ellie Leach, 22, will be joining Angela Rippon, 79, and Layton Williams, 29, as they dazzle audiences up and down the country.
All three, who are competing the current series, will don their dancing shoes alongside other yet to be named stars in January for the 30 scintillating shows.
They will be joined by Strictly legends Shirley Ballas, Anton Du Beke, and Craig Revel Horwood who are returning to their judging seats and tour host, It Takes Two’s Janette Manrara.
Following the announcement Ellie gushed: ‘I said before that appearing on Strictly was a dream come true and now, I will get to be on the tour as well!’.
Can’t wait! Strictly Come Dancing have announced the first three celebs who will strutting their stuff in the show’s 2024 UK Arena tour (Ellie Leach pictured)
Line-up: Former Corrie actress Ellie Leach, 22, will be joining Angela Rippon, 79 (left) and Layton Williams, 29 (right) as they dazzle audiences up and down the country
‘I can’t wait for January to experience it all over again – it’s going to be a blast!’.
While Angela said: ‘Having really challenged myself on the TV show over the last seven weeks, it’s going to be wonderful to continue the Strictly magic on the tour next year’.
‘From hosting Come Dancing to performing for over 10,000 people at The O2 – I really will have completed the ultimate Strictly journey!’.
With Layton adding: ‘The Strictly tour means more sequins – lots and lots of sequins! I couldn’t think of a better way to end this fab experience. I can’t wait to dance in arenas across the country and meet all the fans that have supported my journey.’.
The 2024 tour opens at Birmingham’s Utilita Arena on 19 January before heading to Utilita Arena Sheffield, Utilita Arena Newcastle, OVO Hydro Glasgow, M&S Bank Arena Liverpool, First Direct Arena Leeds, AO Arena Manchester, Motorpoint Arena Nottingham and finally The O2 in London, culminating on 11 February.
The tour judges will scores each performance with the audience able to vote for the winner.
It comes after Angela broke her silence after she was saved from the dance off on Sunday evening as the contestants reached the halfway point of the competition.
The broadcaster was forced to go head to head with Adam Thomas and Luba Mushtuk in the dance off with all four judges choosing to save Angela and her partner Kai Widdrington over the Waterloo Road actor.
Perfect 10? They will be joined by Strictly legends Shirley Ballas (C) Anton Du Beke (R) and Craig Revel Horwood (L) who are returning to their judging seat
In charge: It Takes Two ‘s Janette Manrara will be hosting the glitzy show
The 2024 tour opens at Birmingham’s Utilita Arena on 19 January before heading to Sheffield, Newcastle, Glasgow, Liverpool, Leeds, Manchester, Nottingham and finally The O2 in London, culminating on 11 February
Yet despite the unanimous decision, fans were left fuming that the ‘wrong person’ went home after the fearsome showdown between the two couples.
Appearing on It Takes Two with host Fleur East on Tuesday evening, Angela opened up about how it was ‘tough’ going up against Adam in the dance off.
As Fleur asked her whether she was nervous to go up against Adam to fight for a place in the competition, Andrea explained that the show is really toughening up and nobody is safe.
‘I think the situation we’re in at the moment is the pool is getting so small now, there’s only eight of us now. If there are only going to be three people in the final then every week it gets tougher and someone is going to be the one who is going to be eliminated.
Back to dance again: It comes after Angela broke her silence after she was saved from the dance off on Sunday evening as the contestants reached the halfway point of the competition
End of the road: Adam became the sixth contestant to be eliminated from the show after his rumba to his wedding song failed to bag him a place in next week’s show
‘What was tough about it is Adam is such a lovely guy. We all absolutely adore him, we’ve all become great friends.
‘When you are the other person in the dance-off, you know you are going to battle it out with someone who’s become a mate. It’s tough, it is tough.’
Yet Angela confessed she also saw the positives in getting to redo her routine, as she explained: ‘Oh it was really upsetting. I was cross with myself because clearly I hadn’t done everything that Kai had been drumming into me in the week.
‘At the same time the upside is we got to dance it again. It was lovely to be able to do it again.’
STRICTLY COME DANCING 2023: THE CONTESTANTS’ PROFILES
Angela Rippon
Age: 78
Profession: Journalist
Angela says: ‘Having been a fan of Strictly since day one, and as a former presenter of Come Dancing, this will be quite an adventure for me. A scary one, considering I’m about to be 79. But I’m looking forward to the challenge, and perhaps being able to learn to dance the Argentine Tango.’
Layton Williams
Age: 28
Profession: Actor
Layton says: ‘Absolutely buzzing to confirm that I will be taking part in THE most iconic dance competition in the UK! It’s time to bring it to the Ballroom. So excited to learn new skills from the best. Bring on the sequins… ALL the sequins!’
Krishnan Guru-Murthy
Age: 53
Profession: Journalist
Krishnan says: ‘I’m surprised, delighted and slightly confused to find myself taking part in Strictly on the basis of ‘You only live once!’ I can’t wait to start learning to dance, but I am slightly worried about my general decrepitude.’
Eddie Kadi
Age: 40
Profession: Comedian and radio presenter
Eddie says: ‘WOW. Anyone who knows me, understands that music and dance is so important and central to who I am. I’m so unbelievably proud and honoured that Strictly and the BBC have asked me to join the 2023 Team. I promise you, I’m going to give it everything I’ve got. This is going to be a VIBE.
Angela Scanlon
Age: 39
Profession: TV presenter
Angela says: ‘I’m not particularly fit, I’ve no idea how my pelvic floor is going to react to this dancing. I’ve never done any dances apart from drunken jiving at a wedding!’
Adam Thomas
Age: 34
Profession: Actor and presenter
Adam says: ‘I can’t dance to save my life but I’m buzzing to learn and have a good laugh with my pro. Get me on that dance floor…I can’t wait!’
Ellie Leach
Age: 22
Profession: Coronation Street star
Ellie says: ‘It still doesn’t feel real that I’m going to be doing Strictly!! It’s always been a dream of mine so I guess dreams really do come true!!!!’
Bobby Brazier
Age: 20
Profession: EastEnders star and model
Bobby says: ‘I’m so excited to be part of the Strictly line up, I can’t wait to start training like a professional dancer and adding a few moves to my locker. I’m looking forward to performing in-front of everyone.’
Nigel Harman
Age: 49
Profession: Actor
Nigel says: ‘I’m amazed, excited, and terrified to be doing Strictly. As an armchair fan of the show I have watched in awe as people have twirled and gyrated across the screen. And now it’s my turn…..gulp!’
Annabel Croft
Age: 57
Profession: Broadcaster and ex tennis player
Annabel says: ‘I have always loved watching Strictly and can’t quite believe I’m going to be part of this magical show – swapping tennis balls for glitter balls and looking forward to finding some joyfulness in the process.’
