Strictly Come Dancing Live Tour – Leeds Arena

STRICTLY hit Leeds this week with its tenth anniversary tour, celebrities and professionals from the TV show competing each night to win the audience members’ vote.

Unlike previous years the Strictly stars were solely made up of celebrities from the last series which created a feeling of familiarity – all the faces and dances were instantly recognisable.

The celebrities were Ore Oduba, Louise Redknapp, Danny Mac, Ed Balls, Daisy Lowe and Lesley Joseph.

Hosting the show was Anita Rani who had competed in a previous series of Strictly.

Each celebrity couple brought their own unique piece to the table from Ore’s charm and Lesley’s unbelievable energy to Ed Balls indescribable danceability.

Craig and Len were this year joined on the judging panel by ex-Strictly pro and It Takes Two favourite Karen Hardy.

She proved to be very exuberant and the antithesis to Craig’s acerbic comments, throwing her own unique sayings that views of Strictly sister show It Takes Two are familiar with.

This year the show incorporated lots of extra dancers made up from professionals we have seen on the show, and extras.

They were included in a majority of the couples’ dances and I found that sometimes they distracted from the couple themselves.

The three judges passed comment on each performance but it was up to us, the audience, to vote for our favourites using mobile phones.

As usual I thoroughly enjoyed the spectacle that is Strictly.

Katrina Knights