Strictly Come Dancing is on tonight, Tuesday, January 27, 2026, at 7:30 PM as part of the 2026 Live Tour at the Utilita Arena in Newcastle. While the television series concluded in December 2025, the live arena production is currently touring the UK, with doors opening at 6:00 PM for the evening performance. Fans looking for the televised broadcast should note that there is no live TV episode tonight, as the 2025 series ended with Karen Carney and Carlos Gu lifting the Glitterball Trophy on December 20. The live tour features a star-studded lineup including finalists George Clarke and Amber Davies, alongside judges Shirley Ballas, Anton Du Beke, and Craig Revel Horwood, all hosted by the fabulous Janette Manrara.
Tonight’s Live Tour Schedule
Strictly Live in Newcastle
Tonight’s performance takes place at the Utilita Arena Newcastle, marking the first of two nights in the city.
- Show Times: The main event begins promptly at 7:30 PM, with an approximate finish time of 9:50 PM.
- Arrival: For those attending in person, doors open at 6:00 PM, allowing fans plenty of time to find their seats and soak in the atmosphere.
What to Expect at the Show
The 2026 Live Tour is a high-energy version of the TV show, featuring the iconic Strictly live band and professional singers.
- The Format: Audience members get to play the role of the judges by voting for their favorite couple via their mobile phones at the end of the night.
- The Lineup: Expect to see celebrities like Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink, Harry Aikines-Aryeetey, and Vicky Pattison performing their most popular routines from the 2025 series.
The 2026 Tour Dates and Locations
Full UK Tour Itinerary
Following tonight’s show in Newcastle, the tour will foxtrot across eight more major UK cities through mid-February.
- Upcoming Stops: The glitterball moves to Leeds (January 29-30), Manchester (January 31-February 1), and Sheffield (February 3-4).
- The Finale: The tour culminates in a spectacular five-show residency at The O2 Arena in London from February 13 to February 15.
Matinee and Evening Performances
Many weekend dates offer both matinee and evening shows to accommodate families and different schedules.
- Matinee Times: Afternoon shows typically start at 2:30 PM (Saturdays) or 1:30 PM (Sundays).
- Evening Variations: Sunday evening shows often start slightly earlier, around 6:30 PM, compared to the standard 7:30 PM weekday start.
Television vs. Live Tour Differences
The 2025 TV Series Recap
The most recent television series (Series 23) was a historic one, being the final series hosted by Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman.
- The Winners: England footballer Karen Carney and her partner Carlos Gu were crowned winners in the December 20th final.
- Broadcast Hub: Fans can still catch highlights and full episodes of the 2025 series on BBC iPlayer, though no new episodes are airing tonight.
Host and Judging Panel
While the TV show features four judges, the Live Tour typically utilizes three of the main panel members.
- Judges: Shirley Ballas, Anton Du Beke, and Craig Revel Horwood are present to give their scores and witty critiques.
- Host: Janette Manrara, a favorite from It Takes Two, takes over the hosting duties from the TV presenters for the duration of the arena tour.
Visitor Tips
- Transport: For tonight’s Newcastle show, the Utilita Arena is well-served by the Tyne & Wear Metro (Central Station) and local bus routes.
- Prices: Tickets for the tour generally range from £45 to £110, depending on the seat location and hospitality packages.
- What to Wear: While there is no official dress code, many fans choose to wear “sparkles and sequins” to match the show’s theme.
The 2026 Professional Dancer Lineup
Returning Fan Favorites
The 2026 tour features a blend of seasoned veterans and rising stars from the professional ranks.
- Alexis Warr’s Rise: Following her stunning final run with George Clarke in 2025, Alexis has taken a lead role in the tour’s group choreography, specifically the contemporary and ballroom medleys.
- Carlos Gu’s Victory Lap: As the reigning champion pro, Carlos leads the tour’s “Champions Dance,” a celebratory routine that integrates highlights from his winning season with Karen Carney.
Tour-Exclusive Professionals
To create the “big arena” feel, the live tour often includes additional professional dancers not seen as main partners during the TV series.
- The Ensemble: A troupe of eight additional elite dancers provides the scale needed for the Utilita Arena stage, ensuring the floor never feels empty during high-octane Latin numbers.
- Choreographic Freedom: Without the constraints of weekly TV voting, the pros perform more experimental routines, including a much-talked-about 2026 tribute to Wednesday Addams and gothic ballroom.
Behind the Scenes: Costumes and Glamour
The 2026 Wardrobe Statistics
The Strictly wardrobe team, led by Vicky Gill, operates a “mobile factory” that travels with the tour to manage the 120+ costumes used in every show.
- Crystal Count: For the 2026 tour, the team utilized approximately 150,000 crystals and 500 meters of ostrich feathers.
- Rapid Repairs: Between the 2:30 PM matinee and the 7:30 PM evening show tonight, a team of six seamstresses will perform “stress repairs” on garments damaged during high-intensity lifts.
Designing for Arenas vs. TV
Costumes for the live tour must be designed differently than those for a TV studio to ensure they “read” well from the back of an 11,000-seat arena.
- Boldness over Detail: While TV costumes focus on intricate close-up details, tour outfits use bolder colors and higher-contrast fabrics to ensure the dancers are visible even to fans in the “upper tiers.”
- Weight Management: Tour costumes are engineered to be slightly lighter to help dancers maintain stamina throughout the grueling 30-city schedule.
Predictions for the 2026 TV Series
A New Era of Hosting
With the departure of long-term hosts following the 2025 series, 2026 is set to be a “relaunch” year for the BBC broadcast.
- Host Speculation: Rumors for the September 2026 launch include a potential pairing of Rylan Clark and Janette Manrara, who have proven their chemistry on It Takes Two.
- Judicial Changes: While the core three (Shirley, Anton, Craig) are expected to return, there are whispers of a rotating “guest fourth judge” for the 2026 season to keep the panel fresh.
The “Class of 2026” Celebrity Rumors
As the live tour concludes in February, the BBC begins its intensive scouting for the autumn TV series.
- Dream Lineup: Early 2026 rumors suggest producers are eyeing high-profile names from the 2024 Paris Olympics and popular streaming series to appeal to a younger Gen Z demographic.
- Themed Weeks: Expected updates for the 2026 season include a “Global Beats” week, celebrating international dance styles beyond the traditional ten ballroom and Latin disciplines.
FAQs
Which professional dancers are in Newcastle tonight?
The lineup includes Alexis Warr, Carlos Gu, Nikita Kuzmin, Katya Jones, Jowita Przystał, Neil Jones, Dianne Buswell, and Johannes Radebe.
Who choreographs the 2026 Live Tour?
The creative direction is handled by Jason Gilkison, who oversees all group numbers to ensure they fit the large-scale arena environment.
How many costumes does one celebrity wear?
Typically, each celebrity has two main outfits—one for each of the two dances they perform—plus their final “glitter” outfit.
Is the “Wednesday Addams” routine on the tour?
Yes, the professional ensemble performs a gothic-themed medley inspired by the Wednesday Addams ballroom trend, which was a viral hit in 2023 and 2025.
What time is the interval during the show?
For the 7:30 PM show tonight, the interval usually falls around 8:35 PM and lasts for 20 minutes.
Do celebrities do their own makeup?
No, a professional “glam squad” travels with the tour to provide the signature Strictly tan, glitter, and hair-styling for every performer.
Who is the lead singer for the 2026 tour?
The tour features the Strictly Live Band with vocalists who perform live versions of the hits used during the TV series.
Is Karen Carney on the tour?
Yes, as the 2025 champion, Karen Carney is the headline celebrity for the 2026 tour, performing her iconic Showdance to “Human.”
Can I buy Strictly merchandise at the arena?
Yes, official tour programs, glitterballs, and “Team” hoodies are available at the Utilita Arena merchandise stands from 6:00 PM.
What happens if a professional gets injured on tour?
The “troupe” or ensemble dancers are trained in all the main routines and can step in as “swings” if a lead professional is unable to perform.
What time does Strictly start tonight?
Tonight’s live show at the Utilita Arena Newcastle starts at 7:30 PM. Doors open at 6:00 PM.
Is Strictly Come Dancing on BBC One tonight?
No, there is no televised episode tonight. The 2025 series ended on December 20, and the 2026 series is not expected to start until September.
Who won Strictly Come Dancing 2025?
Karen Carney and Carlos Gu were the winners, beating runners-up George Clarke and Amber Davies.
Who is hosting the 2026 Strictly Live Tour?
The tour is hosted by Janette Manrara, with judges Shirley Ballas, Anton Du Beke, and Craig Revel Horwood.
Can I still get tickets for tonight’s show?
Most dates are sold out, but fans are encouraged to check official ticket partners like Ticketmaster or AXS for last-minute “verified resale” tickets.
How long is the Strictly Live show?
The show lasts approximately 2 hours and 20 minutes, including a short interval.
Are the TV presenters on the live tour?
No, Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman do not host the live tour; they are replaced by Janette Manrara for the arena shows.
Will Lewis Cope be performing tonight?
Yes, Lewis Cope and Katya Jones are scheduled for tonight’s Newcastle show, though he is notably absent from the Wednesday matinee on January 28.
Is there a matinee show in Newcastle?
Yes, there is a 2:30 PM matinee on Wednesday, January 28, in addition to the evening performance.
Which celebrities are on the 2026 tour?
The lineup includes Harry Aikines-Aryeetey, George Clarke, Lewis Cope, Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink, Ellie Goldstein, Vicky Pattison, La Voix, and Layton Williams.
Can I vote for the winner tonight?
Yes! The audience decides the winner of the Glitterball at every live show by voting on their mobile phones.
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