Strictly Come Dancing's live UK tour is coming back for 2023, and now we know the first five celebrities taking to an arena near you.

It's been confirmed that Molly Rainford and Hamza Yassin will be quickstepping, jiving and salsa-ing their way across some rather large dance floors in the New Year.

"I'm absolutely thrilled to be joining the Strictly Live Tour," said Molly. "Performing for the huge arena crowds across the UK is going to be an incredible experience.

"I'm really looking forward to continuing my amazing Strictly journey and getting out on the road to meet all the fans."

carlos gu and molly rainford on strictly come dancing, week 49
BBC//BBC

Hamza added: "Strictly has changed my life in ways I never imagined, so to be doing the tour on top of it all is a dream come true!

"I've heard the tour audiences are unparalleled, so I'll be relishing the atmosphere every night, and I'm so excited to share that experience with my fellow dancers – not to mention the judges."

hamza and jowita dance during strictly come dancing blackpool special
Guy Levy//BBC

Buy Strictly Come Dancing live tour 2023 tickets

They will be joining Will Mellor, Ellie Simmonds and Tyler West, with more celebrities to be announced in the coming weeks. We don't yet know if the celebrities will be dancing with the same professional partners as on the TV series.

Speaking of his delight at returning to the glitz and glamour, Mellor said: "Strictly has been one of the most memorable and emotional journeys I've ever been on! Stepping out of my comfort zone and being a part of this massive show is something I'll never forget.

"I can't wait to put on my dancing shoes and go around the country to perform on huge stages in front of thousands of people who have watched and supported us. Bring on the tour!!"

will mellor, ellie simmonds and tyler west, strictly
BBC

Simmonds was just as excited, stating: "Strictly was such an incredible life-changing and emotional experience for me – it gave me a huge confidence boost and the feeling that anything is possible!

"So to be able to continue my journey on the tour next year is going to be amazing. I can't wait!"

"I never realised how much dance would change my life but I can't express how much I've loved it and fully embraced this opportunity to learn to dance with the best dance partner anyone could ask for in Dianne," West said of the tour.

"I am so happy my Strictly journey isn't over quite yet and I can't wait to relive some of our favourite dances and live like a popstar on tour performing for audiences each night! I am buzzing to get on the road with the gang."

The new tour also comes with a new judging lineup. Having recently been made a permanent judge on the TV series after previously filling in for Bruno Tonioli, Anton du Beke will also succeed Bruno on the arena tour panel, joining Shirley Ballas and Craig Revel Horwood, who directs the live shows once again.

craig revel horwood, shirley ballas, anton du beke, strictly come dancing, live judges 2023, scd
BBC

"I'm so excited to join my fellow TV judges on the Strictly 2023 tour and have the chance to enjoy all the fun of the live experience with audiences around the UK," said Anton.

And after compering the nationwide tour earlier this year, former Strictly pro and current It Takes Two co-presenter Janette Manrara will be your host once again in 2023.

Janette has teased the new tour in a promo video, promising appearances from "your favourite couples, doing your favourite routines that you've seen from throughout the series".

"I'm so excited to be returning to host the 2023 Strictly Live Tour!" Janette added. "It is the most incredible experience to be part of this epic production, bringing all we love about the TV series to hundreds of thousands of people around the UK."

janette manrara, co host of strictly come dancing spin off it takes two
Ray Burmiston//BBC

Related: Strictly Come Dancing's Janette Manrara and Aljaž Škorjanec announce Christmas live tour

Once again, while the judges will provide critique and scores for each routine, audiences at each show have the power to choose who will win that show's Glitterball Trophy by texting in.

Each performance on the tour will also feature a British Sign Language interpreter, who will appear on two large screens placed on either side of the stage.

Tickets for the Strictly Come Dancing live arena tour are available via Ticketmaster now, with prices ranging from £35 to £95. There will be slight differences in pricing tiers between each individual venue.

The tour will be made up of 31 shows across 9 different arenas in January and February, with afternoon and evening shows offered at all venues except Leeds, which hosts two evening performances. Meanwhile, Sheffield will host two shows in one day.

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Related: Strictly Come Dancing star Max George reveals tour has helped his mental health

The full list of dates and venues for the Strictly live arena tour 2023 is as follows:

January 20-22: Birmingham Utilita Arena

January 24-25: Nottingham Motorpoint Arena

January 26-27: Leeds First Direct Arena

January 28-29: Manchester AO Arena

January 31: Sheffield Utilita Arena

February 1-2: Newcastle Utilita Arena

February 3-5: London The O2

February 7-8: Belfast SSE Arena

February 10-12: Glasgow OVO Hydro

Strictly Come Dancing airs on Saturdays and Sundays on BBC One, while spin-off show Strictly: It Takes Two airs on weeknights on BBC Two. Both shows also stream on BBC iPlayer.

Interested in talking about Strictly Come Dancing? Visit our dedicated sub-forum

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