Some of the line-up for the Strictly Come Dancing arena tour next year has been announced - and it won't reunite one of this season's most popular partnerships.
Helen Skelton will be joining the the UK tour - but she won't dance with Gorka Marquez. The presenter, 39, and the professional dancer, 32, made it to the final together.
However, the arena tour - which kicks off on January 20 in Birmingham - will pair her with a new partner, Kai Widdrington. Despite sparking fears with his absence from the live tour, Gorka issued an update on his Strictly future in the wake of the final heartbreak.
He said: "The biggest THANK YOU, because without you we wouldn’t be here and your lovely messages of support means the world. Strictly 23 lets go!!! In the mean time Keep dancing!!"
Hits Radio host Fleur East, 35, meanwhile, will be reunited with Vito Coppola after their high-scoring partnership this series. It comes after wildlife cameraman Hamza Yassin lifted the glitterball trophy with his partner Jowita Przystal on Saturday.
They will join Will Mellor and Nancy Xu, Molly Rainford and Carlos Gu, Ellie Simmonds and Nikita Kuzmin, and Tyler West and Dianne Buswell on the dance floor. Champions Hamza and Jowita are also confirmed to be taking part.
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.”
Fleur said: “As a huge Strictly fan, being part of the TV competition has been an unbelievable experience and I’m absolutely over the moon to have the chance to get back into those fabulous sequinned outfits for the live tour next year.”
Judges Shirley Ballas, Craig Revel Horwood and Anton Du Beke, who is part of the tour for the first time, will be joined by Janette Manrara as host.
The live show visits venues including Nottingham’s Motorpoint Arena, Leeds’s First Direct Arena, the AO Arena in Manchester and Newcastle’s Utilita Arena. The dancers will also stop at London’s O2 Arena and the SSE Arena in Belfast, before ending at the OVO Hydro in Glasgow on February 12.
For more stories from where you live, visit InYourArea.
Find recommendations for eating out, attractions and events near you here on our sister website 2Chill
Find recommendations for dog owners and more doggy stories on our sister site Teamdogs
