From tonight until Sunday, Manchester’s Evening News Arena belongs to TV dancing kings and queens, such as Jodie Kidd, Rachel Stevens and Julian Clary in  Strictly Come Dancing –The Live Tour 2009.

Kidd and Stevens will be dancing their way around the massive arena, alongside Cherie Lunghi and Tom Chambers, and past favourites Gethin Jones, Jill Halfpenny, Julian Clary and Kenny Logan for the UK tour, where audiences will get the chance to watch their favourite celebrities, dance champions and those all important TV judges.

Rachel Stevens came second in this year’s series. Tom Chambers, who has swapped the wards of Holby City for the dance floor, continuously impressed the judges with his ability to deliver amazing performances, going on to win the show and actress Cherie Lunghi, dazzled right up until her departure from the show in week nine.

Jill Halfpenny wowed judges with her dancing in the second series and was crowned champion, with Julian Clary closely following in third place. Julian commented: “I had a ball taking part in the second series of Strictly Come Dancing and learnt so much. I can’t wait to get back into those costumes and back into the arms of a beautiful woman in front of an arena full of fans!”

The 2009 tour will see the celebrities face their dance demons in the form of all four TV judges – Len Goodman, Arlene Phillips, Craig Revel Horwood and Bruno Tonioli – joining each show to voice their professional opinions of the dancing duos. Bruno comments: ‘’I am so excited to be doing the Strictly Come Dancing Live Tour this time, I really missed out last year due to TV commitments in America. The tour was a huge success, a complete sell out at all venues across the country!  This year, it’s going to be even better – skilful routines and beautiful costumes brought together by fantastic live music – it’s going to be great!”

The celebrities will be joined on the 45-date tour by their world-class professional dance partners. From the current series, Camilla Dallerup and Vincent Simone, will partner Tom Chambers and Rachel Stevens respectively. Series two pro-champion Darren Bennett, will dance with Jill Halfpenny. Cherie Lunghi and Jodie Kidd will partner with James Jordan and Ian Waite and Julian Clary will take to the stage with Lilia Kopylova. Gethin Jones will dance with Flavia Cacace and Ola Jordan will partner Kenny Logan. Last year’s pro-champion Matthew Cutler and new dancer Kristina Rihanoff will also tour, performing in the showcase and group numbers.

Kate Thornton will once again host the tour, which kicked off at the Newcastle Metro Radio Arena last Friday. The five-week dance spectacular arrives at Manchester’s MEN Arena from tonight until Sun 25th Jan.

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