STRICTLY Come Dancing came to Leeds and was met with a packed First Direct Arena, kitted out with glitterballs, chandeliers and a raised dance floor to show the seven couples at their dancing best.

The live show is this year hosted by Zoe Ball, and her down-to-earth, genuine personality shone through as she spoke to both dancers and judges.

Joining Craig Revel-Horwood on the judging panel were 2008 winners Tom Chambers and Camilla Delarup. As well as providing insights into the couples’ dancing ability they treated us to their winning show dance, which even seven years later is still a showstopper.

Scott Mills may lack technical ability but he certainly brought fun to the floor with his Addams Family tribute foxtrot and his undeniably fabulous crab dance.

Simon Webbe and partner Christina Rhianoff treated us to the Argentine Tango which they first performed at Blackpool Tower, and it was certainly a dance worthy of the magnificent home of ballroom.

Caroline Flack, the current TV champion, charmed us with her flawless moves in the American Smooth and the more enigmatic bazaar-themed Charleston.

The surprise of the night was Rachel Stevens who stepped in at the last minute and in just six days had learned seven dances. Teamed up with Kevin Clifton she managed to produce a captivating tango full of drama followed by a mesmerising Rumba.

For someone who was in the series back in 2008 she was certainly able to hold her own amongst the class of 2014.

With all of the celebrities joining in with the professional routines, there was something to make everyone shine and to capture the audience’s imaginations.

With the superb Strictly band and singers the tour brings a bit of sparkle to the cold winter nights.

*The Strictly Come Dancing Live Tour continues tonight at Leeds First Direct Arena, tomorrow and Sunday at Manchester Arena and next Wednesday and Thursday at the Motorpoint Arena in Sheffield.

Visit strictly.ticketzone.co.uk or call 0844 8758758 to book tickets.

Katrina Knights