Helen Skelton has been confirmed for the Strictly Come Dancing live tour, but she won't be paired with Gorka Marquez, as her pro partner is nowhere to be seen on the line-up.
After Helen's Strictly co-stars Ellie Simmonds, Tyler West, Will Mellor, Molly Rainford and newly crowned champion Hamza Yassin were announced to be taking part in the nationwide jaunt, many viewers were hoping that On The Farm host Helen would be joining them and, now after losing out in Saturday's final, she has joined the bill.
However, the big blow to fans is that it won't be Gorka who she'll be dancing with. Instead, she is teaming up with Kai Widdrington, the pro who was the first to be eliminated this series, lasting just two weeks in the ballroom with Loose Women host Kaye Adams. The new pairing comes a year after Kai was at the centre of his own partner switch, when AJ Odudu failed to recover from injury in time to the tour, leaving Kai to dance with 2020 finalist Maisie Smith.
READ MORE: Strictly's Helen Skelton lands top TV job alongside Hamza Yassin after final
Talking about doing the tour, Helen said; "“Strictly has been the adventure of a lifetime and I'm so happy that it will continue next year on the live tour. I’m really looking forward to seeing the fans across the country and performing my favourite dances from the series. I can't wait!"
The Strictly tour line-up is completed by Fleur East and her pro partner Vito Coppola, fresh from them topping the judges leaderboard in the final, before Hamza and Jowita topped the all important public vote.
The couples will be joined on the tour, hoisted by Janette Manrara, by professional dancers - Amy Dowden, Neil Jones, Robbie Kmetoni, Jake Leigh, Luba Mushtuk and Michelle Tsiakkas and Strictly judges Shirley Ballas, Craig Revel Horwood and Anton Du Beke.
The Strictly live tour gets going at Birmingham's Ultita Arena on January 20, before calling at Nottingham’s Motorpoint Arena, Leeds’ First Direct Arena, the AO Arena Manchester, Sheffield’s Utilita Arena, Newcastle’s Utilita Arena, London’s O2 Arena and the SSE Arena Belfast.
*Strictly final prompts 'tactical' Channel 5 move to attract fans
*Gemma Atkinson's Strictly tears as Helen Skelton pays emotional tribute to Gorka Marquez
*Gorka Marquez shuts down 'sore loser' jibes with Jowita reply
*Helen Skelton's Strictly chances 'hindered' by judges' decision as fans complain
*Strictly's Helen Skelton highlights crowd 'reaction' as she breaks silence after final defeat
