It’s time to announce the first three celebrities who will be joining 2024’s highly anticipated Strictly Come Dancing Live UK Tour: former Coronation Street actress Ellie Leach; legendary award-winning broadcaster Angela Rippon; and Bad Education and Everybody’s Talking About Jamie actor and singer Layton Williams. All three celebs, part of the current series of the BBC’s hit Saturday and Sunday night show, will don their dancing shoes in January and take to the road dazzling arena audiences up and down the country.

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. Further casting announcements will be made soon.

Speaking about the upcoming tour, Ellie Leach said: “I said before that appearing on Strictly was a dream come true and now, I will get to be on the tour as well! I can’t wait for January to experience it all over again – it’s going to be a blast!”.

Angela Rippon 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!”

Layton Williams said: “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, then the glitz, the glamour and the sequins – together with the all-important celebrity contestants and their professional dancer partners – will travel to some of the UK’s biggest entertainment venues leaving a trail of glitter in their wake: 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.

Strictly’s Live Tour celebrates all the joy of the TV series, showcasing the amazing choreography and fantastic live music that Strictly is synonymous with – providing audiences of all ages up and down the country the opportunity to experience everything they love about the TV show live on stage in their hometown or city.

Not only are the arena audiences treated to the spectacular roof-raising routines, but they are also granted the power to decide who wins the coveted Glitterball Trophy at the end of each show. The tour judges will of course provide their invaluable wisdom, advice and scores at each performance – we couldn’t stop them if we tried – but the ultimate power lies with the audience. A text for their favourite couple is all it takes; their votes will decide who wins!

As with the 2023 tour, each performance will host a British Sign Language interpreter, who will be displayed on two very large screens on either side of the stage so that audiences can book tickets and sit almost anywhere in the arena to enjoy the experience with family and friends.

STRICTLY COME DANCING THE LIVE TOUR is produced by Stage Entertainment UK and Phil McIntyre Live, with BBC Studios.