Tuesday, January 31

Strictly Come Dancing - The Live Tour 2017, Nottingham Arena

It's slick, it's sparkly - and it's back on the road! 

Sequins and abs were on show in equal measure when the professionals and celebs in Strictly LIVE hit the Arena last night.

The tenth anniversary show has lost none of its wonderful showbiz glamour, skill - and fun - over the years.

A new line-up each time guarantees it's as fresh as the day it set foot on the dancefloor.

With tickets at £50 upwards it's guaranteed to be the breathtaking night on the tiles everyone's hoping for.

Who'd have thought we'd get to see singers, models, actors - and the former Chancellor of the Exchequer - all performing under one roof for the delirious crowds?

From the tantalising teasers at the start to the “a-maze-ing” West Side Story finale, it was a must-see all-star show – easily topping previous years for thrills, skills and expertise.

It's so much more than a chance to relive some of the magical moments from the Strictly Come Dancing you see on the television. Even dear old Ed Balls nailed THAT lift from the on-screen contest!

Putting on his dancing shoes, Danny Mac is paired with the shapely Oti Mabuse, while fans' favourite, the ever-tearful Ore Oduba was with partner Karen Clifton.

Louise Redknapp and Kevin Clifton did their stuff and Ed Balls was with Katya Jones. Daisy Lowe, who has great assets for the dancing world, partnered Aljaž Skorjanec, while Birds of a Feather's Lesley Joseph lined up with Gorka Marquez.

So was it a ten from Len? It would be unfair to reveal how the dancers fared on the first of their three sparkling Nottingham shows.

But it's no surprise to see Ed Balls still managed to get the lowest scores from the judges, but who cares? He's a former Nottingham High School lad and in the Labour heartland of Nottingham city has almost certainly lapped up the applause on heady nights in the past - even if it wasn't for his (now) trademark – and iconic – Gangnam style moves leaving the crowd in hysterics! He even challenged Craig to perform a copycat routine, which to everyone’s glee he also perfected. Must have been practising.

We were treated to Ore’s show dance from the final – remember those drums? And Len described it as “possibly the best ever show dance on Strictly”. There was something for the ladies too, with Danny’s samba complete with bare chest and swivelling hips.

The show was hosted by the recent series competitor Anita Rani, who stood in for the role for Mel Giedroyc last year.

On the panel are head judge Len Goodman, alongside Craig Revel Horwood and guest judge Karen Hardy.

So is Strictly Live a competition, dance-off or panto? It depends who you're watching and it's horses for courses as every member of the audience is guaranteed a little of what they came for.