Strictly Come Dancing Live announces final four couples joining the 2026 UK arena tour

The final four couples for the hotly anticipated 2026 Strictly Live Tour are announced today: YouTuber, Podcaster, and social media star George Clarke and Alexis Warr; Emmerdale star Lewis Cope & Katya Jones; and former professional footballer Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink & Lauren Oakley. And, as a special treat for Strictly fans, 2023 series finalist Layton Williams will make a sensational return to the dance floor as a special guest, reuniting with professional partner Nikita Kuzmin. Following their appearance in Blackpool last month as part of the alumni dance, the pair will perform some of their most-loved routines for arena audiences in a new guest slot.

The final foursome complete the line-up of eight sensational couples taking to the road in January to dazzle arena audiences up and down the country. They will join Harry Aikines-Aryeetey & Karen Hauer, La Voix & Aljaž Škorjanec, Ellie Goldstein & Vito Coppola, and Vicky Pattison & Kai Widdrington. Plus, the legendary Strictly Judges Shirley Ballas, Anton Du Beke, and Craig Revel Horwood. And tour host Janette Manrara from It Takes Two. The 2026 Live Tour opens at Birmingham’s Utilita Arena on 23 January for the first of 30 scintillating shows around the UK. Tickets are on sale now from StrictlyComeDancingLive.com.

George Clarke said: “The last few months have been a whirlwind, but I'm honestly delighted to be joining the tour and to be able to continue my Strictly journey on the road. Bring on January!”

Lewis Cope said: “I swapped the Dales for the dance floor to take part in Strictly Come Dancing, and I’m not ready to hang up my dancing shoes just yet! I am thrilled and honoured to continue my Strictly journey as part of the live tour and can’t wait to be reunited with the incredible cast and crew.”

Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink said: “I’ve witnessed first-hand the joy and excitement that this show can bring to people - so when the opportunity to join the live tour arose, I couldn’t say no. I can't wait to meet all the incredible fans across the country.” 

Layton Williams said: “What, me? A 'Special Guest' - Ok!! Omg I'm backkkk and so excited to be reunited with Nikita again to slay the UK! It's an honour to be asked back and able to do this twice.
Thank you and see you soon. L x”

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!

Each performance will host a British Sign Language interpreter, who will be displayed on two very large screens on either side of the stage so that audiences can book tickets and sit almost anywhere in the arena to enjoy the experience with family and friends.

STRICTLY COME DANCING THE LIVE TOUR is produced by Stage Entertainment UK and Phil McIntyre Live, with BBC Studios.

STRICTLY COME DANCING LIVE UK TOUR 2026

23 – 25 January          Birmingham Utilita Arena

(Friday 23 at 7.30pm*, Saturday 24 at 2.30pm & 7.30pm and Sunday 25 at 1.30pm & 6.30pm)

27-28 January              Newcastle Utilita Arena

(Tuesday 27 at 7.30pm^, Wednesday 28 at 2.30pm*^ & 7.30pm^)

29 – 30 January           Leeds First Direct Bank Arena

(Thursday 29 at 7.30pm*^ and Friday 30 at 7.30pm*^)

31 January – 1 February       Manchester AO Arena

(Saturday 31 at 2.30pm & 7.30pm, Sunday 1 at 1.30pm & 6.30pm)

3 - 4 February                        Sheffield Utilita Arena

(Tuesday 3 at 7.30pm* and Wednesday 4 at 2.30pm*)

5 – 6 February             Liverpool M&S Bank Arena

(Thursday 5 at 7.30pm* and Friday 6 at 7.30pm*)

7 – 8 February                       Glasgow OVO Hydro

(Saturday 7 at 3pm & 8pm and Sunday 8 at 1.30pm & 6.30pm)

10 – 12 February                   Nottingham Motorpoint Arena

(Tuesday 10 at 7.30pm^, Wednesday 11 at 7.30pm and Thursday 12 at 7.30pm^)

13 – 15 February                   London The O2 Arena

(Friday 13 at 7.30pm, Saturday 14 at 2.30pm^ & 7.30pm^ and Sunday 15 at 1.30pm^ & 6.30pm^)

*Lewis Cope will not perform at these shows due to a prior commitment

^George Clarke will not perform at these shows due to a prior commitment

For more information and to book tickets, visit: StrictlyComeDancingLive.com

ENDS