Strictly Come Dancing stars reveal excitement ahead of 'final chapter' live tour

Debbie Mcgee admitted she is ‘yet to have a day off’ since starting the show
Safeeyah Kazi|Kate Moore22 January 2018
The Weekender

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Strictly Come Dancing’s stars have revealed their excitement as they gear up for the start of live shows this week.

The top couples from the hit show are back in the rehearsal studio as they are set to join the Strictly Come Dancing Live Tour.

Debbie McGee, 59, who lost out to winner Joe McFadden in the finals before Christmas, revealed that she has not stopped working since she first started on the BBC show last year.

After the finals, the TV star jumped straight back into the panto role she had delayed for the show, and then back to rehearsals.

Her dance partner, Giovanni Pernice, 27, told the Standard: “(Debbie) didn’t stop for one second because she did the panto so the day after the final she went to do the panto straight away and she finishes the day before we start the Strictly tour so who is the pro here?”

McGee added: “I haven’t had a day off yet, still could do with a bit more sleep but I’m getting there.”

Fellow finalist, actress Gemma Atkinson, 33, said: “I’m really excited for the live shows because it’s going to be all the fun from the live shows without any of the stress, without anyone facing a dance-off or anyone going home so it’s going to be all the fun without any of the bad things.”

And singer Alexandra Burke, 29, who also made it to the finals, said: “It’s so relaxed now, you can actually feel the vibe in the rehearsal room and everyone wants to have a great time.”

Holby City star McFadden, 42, whose tin soldier Charleston routine with partner Katya Jones ultimately won over the public to win the glitterball trophy, said the tour will be the “final chapter” and a chance to bid fans farewell.

“It feels like the brilliant last stage of the whole thing, getting to go out around the country and see the people who voted for us, who love the show,” he said. "It feels brilliant. It’s like we’re saying goodbye to everyone. It’s like the final chapter of this amazing journey.”

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Paralympian Jonnie Peacock, 24, said: “This is going to be really exciting, it’s almost like the best bits of Strictly. You get to really enjoy it.”

He added he had enjoyed the chance to “challenge perceptions” of disability and “change people’s minds about what they believe someone with a disability should and shouldn’t be able to do.”

The couples expected to appear on the tour include comedian Susan Calman and Eastenders actor Davood Ghadami and their dance partners.

Strictly Come Dancing Live UK tour runs from January 19th until February 11th . For venues and tickets please visit www.strictlycomedancinglive.com

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