TV host and podcaster Vicky Pattison won’t be holding back as the 2026 tour kicks off in Birmingham on Friday with 30 UK dates
Strictly Come Dancing favourite Vicky Pattison has revealed she’s treating her role in the show’s forthcoming live tour “very seriously” and is determined to deliver the “absolute best show that I can”.
The reality television personality spoke out as the 2026 tour prepares to launch at Birmingham’s Utilita Arena on Friday, marking the first of 30 performances across the UK, with fresh images of all the participating stars now unveiled. Soap actor Lewis Cope, who’s also part of the tour, admitted he’s feeling “rusty”, though he’s been religiously watching his past performances on YouTube daily to refresh his memory of the routines. Other former celebrity Strictly competitors set to take to the stage include Harry Aikines-Aryeetey, George Clarke and Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink.
Ellie Goldstein, La Voix and Layton Williams round out the cast, whilst Janette Manrara returns as host. Discussing her involvement in the tour, Pattison insisted she wanted to win and lift the Glitterball trophy whilst on the road. She said: “It’s a moment, quite frankly, that I never, ever thought would be mine. And it probably never will be again. So I’m taking it very seriously, I’m gonna put on the absolute best show that I can.”
Cope, who departed during the quarter-final stage of the BBC programme’s most recent series, commented: “I’m so happy because I’ve really missed dancing over these last few weeks. But I am feeling a bit rusty. I would be lying if I said I haven’t been watching our dances on YouTube every single day to remind myself. We had so much fun on the TV show that now this tour feels like a celebration.”
Social media sensation and Strictly finalist Clarke revealed he was hoping he “can lift the Glitterball at least once” during the tour. “I’m looking forward to just having a lot of fun, it’s a nice way to tie the bow on top of Strictly,” he continued.
His feelings were mirrored by former Olympian Aikines-Aryeetey, who commented: “Strictly is a celebration and this tour feels like that. The fans, people that love it, get to come and celebrate it with us in a packed arena, which is the best thing.”
Drag performer La Voix, whose real name is Christopher Dennis, was devastated to withdraw from last year’s competition due to a foot injury, and revealed she would have to don more sensible footwear for the tour.
La Voix explained: “I’ve been doing my rehab and they’ve given me a lower heel to make it easier. This is the only time you’ll see La Voix in a frumpy heel, but it’s what I’ve got to do.”
Model Goldstein expressed her excitement about performing with her professional dance partner Vito Coppola once more. She commented: “I’m so excited to be doing our couple’s choice again. We were the Cheeky Team but I think we’re Team Golden now. This tour is going to be amazing.”
However, former Chelsea footballer Hasselbaink confessed he was feeling somewhat anxious about the upcoming tour. “Football is something I’ve done that for years and years and years,” he explained.
“You just play because it’s in your genes and you know what every situation is going to be like. But with the tour, I am so nervous.”
Musical theatre sensation Williams, who took part in Strictly during 2023, will also be joining the tour as a special guest. The former competitors and their professional dancing partners will additionally stop off in Glasgow, Leeds and Manchester, before wrapping up at London’s O2 Arena on February 15.
It was earlier revealed that judges Shirley Ballas, Anton Du Beke and Craig Revel Horwood will feature in the line-up. It Takes Two host and ex-Strictly professional dancer Manrara is back to present the tour, which is anticipated to follow a comparable format to the television programme, with spectators encouraged to vote for their preferred pairing.
Every show will feature a British Sign Language interpreter, who will appear on two large screens positioned on each side of the stage. The previous series of Strictly was claimed by former England Lionesses footballer Karen Carney.
Tickets for the live tour and further details about the dates and venues can be found at https://strictlycomedancinglive.com.
Source: Mirror
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