The Strictly Come Dancing stars take to the stage in Birmingham for the first night of the live UK tour shows (Photograph: Anthony Stanley)
The best way to open up the re-named Barclaycard Arena wasn’t to sign up Michael Bublé… what they should have done was to wait for Strictly Come Dancing to come to town.
There was so much glitter and glam, tassles and tan, that the dresses and outfits were only outshone by the gleaming smiles of the dancers and celebrities on stage.
Zoe Ball, host for the night, shimmered in a body hugging sequinned dress and led the opening dance routine with Trent Whiddon in a fast paced routine that brought the crowd to their feet.
Reigning Strictly Champion Caroline Flack was wearing a Charleston dress that accentuated her twists and turns as she wowed the expectant crowd before the new team of judges were introduced.
Zoe Ball hosts the Strictly Come Dancing Live show for its 2015 launch in Birmingham’s Barclaycard Arena (Photograph: Anthony Stanley)
With Craig Revel Horwood heading the judging panel it was obvious that Tom Chambers and Camilla Dallerup were not going to replace Bruno Tonioli and Len Goodman.
Much as they tried to create an aura of likeability as judges, it was clear that they were never going to be as entertaining as Len and Bruno. They did however treat the crowd to a 2008 Champions Winning dance. When did we last see Bruno & Len perform a beautiful dance routine?
Strictly Come Dancing judges Tom Chambers, Camilla Dallerup and Craig Revel Horwood bust some moves before judging the celebrity dancers in Birmingham (Photograph: Anthony Stanley)
Soon it was the chance to see the dance partners being introduced and the clapping soon turned to wolf whistles and cheers as hunky Mark Wright stepped down the glittering stairs with the gorgeous Karen Hauer. Karen was in vibrant orange whilst Mark chose a black spangled vest, much to the delight of head judge Craig and the numerous ladies in the crowd.
The crowds cheered all night as Birmingham’s recently renovated Barclaycard Arena was transformed into the glittering Strictly Come Dancing stage for the main show (Photograph: Anthony Stanley)
Brummie Alison Hammond impressed the audience as she was joined by her dance partner Aljaz Skorjanec for some stunning dance numbers (Photograph: Anthony Stanley)
>> GALLERY:Strictly Come Dancing Live 2015 | Birmingham <<
Brummie babe Alison Hammond was next to come down the steps to rapturous applause and she lapped up the homecoming. As the crowds clapped she was beaming with delight, paying particular attention to her son sitting in the crowd. She danced a beautiful Charleston and then had the crowd on their feet as she danced the Cha Cha Cha to I’m Every Women in a 70’s-style wig.
The star ensemble of dancers lift up show host Zoe Ball as she glitters in her glamorous blue dress (Photograph: Anthony Stanley)
S Club 7 star Rachel Stevens, the last minute replacement for pregnant Frankie Bridges, came next dressed in voluptuous red with Frankie Sandford’s partner Kevin Clifton looking dapper in all black and a red tie.
Local schoolboy Simon Webbe was here too, keen to make amends on coming second in last years series. Dressed in a black sequined see through top he arrived with the gorgeous Kristina Rihanoff in a fabulous pink cut-out dress. They were really the only couple that might actually give Caroline Flack serious competition for the right to call themselves “local champions” on the night.
Ultimately this was the case, with their faultless Argentine Tango stealing the show. Kristina later tweeted “Thank you Birmingham for an incredible opening night and making @simonwebbe1 and I your champions ! Very happy”
Professional dancers Kevin Clifton and Karen Hauer have a bit of a dance-off at the Strictly Come Dancing Live show in Birmingham (Photograph: Anthony Stanley)
Scott Mills beamed with delight, dressed in all black alongside his dance partner Joanne Clifton. Such a pity that she couldn’t be paired with someone that could actually dance, that way she could give brother Kevin some competition.
Mark Wright was paired with professional dancer Karen Hauer for Strictly Come Dancing Live in Birmingham (Photograph: Anthony Stanley)
Wolf whistles galore as Thom Evans was next to enter the arena with the crowds (and Craig Revel Horwood) appreciating his bulging Popeye muscles despite being covered in an all white sailor suit. To everyone’s further delight his second routine would allow for him to bare those biceps and toned torso.
The whistling crowd were delighted with the whole spectacle, clapping and cheering their favorites throughout the night.
Former Scottish international rugby star Thom Evans was partnered up with professional dancer – and Strictly Come Dancing regular -Iveta Lukosiute (Photograph: Anthony Stanley)
Stunning dancer Iveta Lukosiute takes to the stage at the Barclaycard Arena in Birmingham (Photograph: Anthony Stanley)
Finally the Strictly Queen arrived on stage. Caroline Flack and her affable Irish partner Tristan MacManus almost ran onto the stage, both bursting with energy and beaming with delight.
Caroline wore a stunning, plunging silver tasseled dress and was obviously delighted to be soaking up the applause and adoration of the adoring crowd. Although Tristan was very, very good on the dancefloor it might take a few shows before he and Caroline can replicate the partnership that she had with Pasha Kovalev.
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Anthony Stanley
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Strictly Come Dancing Live in on at the Barclay Card Arena in Birmingham between Friday 16th Jan – Sunday 18th Jan, before continuing its tour around the UK. Tickets and details here: www.strictlycomedancinglive.com
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