STRICTLY COME DANCING LIVE announces first two couples to join UK arena tour 2026
Photo credit: Ray Burmiston
Gladiator and Olympian Harry Aikines-Aryeetey and his dance partner Karen Hauer, and performer La Voix & Aljaž Škorjanec are the first two couples announced for 2026’s highly anticipated Strictly Come Dancing Live Tour.
They will don their dancing shoes in January and take to the road to dazzle arena audiences up and down the country. Further casting announcements will be made soon.
They will be joined on the tour by Strictly judges Shirley Ballas, Anton Du Beke, and Craig Revel Horwood. It Takes Two’s Janette Manrara returns to host the tour once again. The 2026 Live Tour opens at Birmingham’s Utilita Arena on 23 January for the first of 30 scintillating shows around the UK.
Harry Aikines-Aryeetey said: “I’m switching the Gladiators arena for the Strictly Live Tour arenas and can’t wait to get back on the dance floor! It’s amazing to be reunited with Karen again and we can’t wait to show you what’s in store. Expect more fun, more laughs, and even more energy.!”
La Voix, who had to withdraw from the latest Strictly series due to injury, said: “I loved being part of Strictly and was devastated when my time on the show was cut short because of injury. But now I’m absolutely thrilled to have the chance to get back on an even bigger dancefloor with the sparkling 2026 Strictly Live Tour. I can't wait to sashay my way around the country with my wonderful partner, Aljaž by my side.“
Following the opening night at Birmingham’s Utilita Arena on 23 January, 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 Newcastle, First Direct Bank Arena Leeds, AO Arena Manchester, Utilita Arena Sheffield, M&S Bank Arena Liverpool, OVO Hydro Glasgow, Motorpoint Arena Nottingham, and finally The O2 in London, culminating on 15 February.
The Strictly Live Tour celebrates all the joy of the smash-hit BBC 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.
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!
To book tickets for Strictly Come Dancing Live Tour, please click here.