Strictly Come Dancing The Live Tour- Utilita Arena Birmingham

The perfect Saturday night entertainment featuring a vibrant, eclectic mix of celebrities preforming two of their favourite routines from the previous series in a bid to win the Glitterball Trophy; the Live Arena Tour is a celebration of all things dance for the fans who make Strictly Come Dancing the UK's most beloved TV competition show.

Designed to be viewed in the round, there wasn't a single seat in the whole arena where the full spectacle could not be appreciated in full. I was incredibly lucky to have secured a front row dancefloor seat at the top of the stage opposite the band and judges so was able to get up close and personal with all the action. Hosted by the charismatic Janette Manrara whose boundless energy and well placed quips did not lose pace for the full two and a half hours, it was clear the professional dancer in her had not taken a back seat just fourth months after the birth of her first child as she was indistinguishable from her former colleagues in the two full cast numbers she featured in. The judges Craig Revel Horwood, Shirley Ballas and Anton Du Beke were on top form with their (albeit scripted) witty comments, lightning-fast comebacks and friendly banter. Ballas in particular is still a more than worthy bearer of the Queen of Latin crown as she performed a seamless championship worthy performance with the male professional dancers in the show's finale.

Of all seven competing couples, the standout performances were those of Angela Rippon and Layton Williams. At 80 years of age, Rippon is a sight to behold as the legendary Shirley Bassey in her 'Get This Party Started' Cha Cha with Kai Widdrington complete with 90° leg extension and a finish worthy of a 10 on its own- being carried to the judges' podium in a crucifix in the arms of strapping male dancers- its the only way to travel, darling. At the other end of the spectrum, the high flying Layton Williams and his professional partner Nikita Kuzmin completely astounded the audiences with a Quickstep and a Paso Doble worthy of the West End itself. Williams is an honorary Strictly professional in his own right, dancing completely indistinguishably alongside them in all of the group numbers and in particular the Barbie Medley. From triple back handsprings to leading man, its clear that his star is only just being to rise.

Overall, the Strictly Come Dancing Live Tour is two-and-a-half-hour non-stop celebration of high energy, high enthusiasm and high quality Ballroom and Latin dancing peppered with witty humour, clever direction and award winning hair, makeup and costume design all topped off with a very worthy winner in Bobby Brazier and Dianne Buswell.

Rating- ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐