Amy Dowden, a professional dancer from Caerphilly in South Wales, will participate in the upcoming live tour of Strictly Come Dancing following her recovery from a foot injury.
Dowden, aged 34, was initially partnered with JLS singer JB Gill for this year’s series of the popular dance competition. However, after the sixth week, she had to withdraw from the competition due to the injury.
This setback forced her to step away from the show, but she has now recovered enough to return for the live tour, which will see her perform alongside her fellow dancers. The tour marks an exciting opportunity for her to reconnect with fans and showcase her talents again on stage.
During Dowden’s absence from the competition, Lauren Oakley stepped in as Gill’s dance partner for the remainder of the series. Despite the change in partners, Gill and Oakley went on to make it to the Strictly Come Dancing final.
They were one of the four couples who competed for the coveted title in the season finale. However, it was comedian Chris McCausland and his partner Dianne Buswell who ultimately triumphed, winning the competition. The final was an exhilarating showdown, but Gill and Oakley’s journey to the last episode was a testament to their skill and resilience.
For the upcoming 30-show tour, JB Gill will be dancing with both of his partners, Amy Dowden and Lauren Oakley. This will give audiences a chance to witness their performances together as a trio throughout the tour, which promises to be a highlight of the event.
The Strictly Come Dancing live tour will feature seven of the couples from this year’s series, performing some of their most memorable routines for their fans. The atmosphere is expected to be electric, with each couple bringing their best moves to the stage for an unforgettable experience.
This year’s series of Strictly Come Dancing was particularly significant for Dowden, as it marked her return to the show after two years. During her time away, she had undergone treatment for breast cancer, and her return to the dance floor was an inspiring milestone.
In February, Dowden received the good news that her latest health check had shown “no evidence” of the disease, which was a huge relief for her and her supporters. After her withdrawal from the competition in November, Dowden reassured fans that the injury she sustained had “nothing to do with any previous health scares.” Her recovery and return to performing are a testament to her strength and determination.
The live tour will not only feature professional dancers and their celebrity partners, but it will also include the show’s panel of judges. Craig Revel Horwood, Motsi Mabuse, Shirley Ballas, and Anton Du Beke will all be part of the tour, bringing their expertise and flair to the performances.
Janette Manrara, who will act as the tour presenter, expressed her excitement about Dowden’s return, calling it “a joy” and an “extra special treat” for the fans. Dowden’s participation is bound to add an extra element of excitement to the tour, as fans eagerly anticipate seeing her back on stage after her recovery.
In addition to Amy Dowden’s participation, several other notable dance pairings have been revealed for the live tour. These include professional dancer Michelle Tsiakkas and EastEnders star Jamie Borthwick, Olympian Montell Douglas paired with Kai Widdrington, and opera singer Wynne Evans dancing with Katya Jones.
The tour will also feature Love Island star Tasha Ghouri with Aljaz Skorjanec, actress Sarah Hadland with Vito Coppola, and singer Shayne Ward paired with Nancy Xu. Alongside the celebrity dancers, several familiar faces from the show’s professional cast, including Buswell, Karen Hauer, Neil Jones, Nikita Kuzmin, Jowita Przystal, Robbie Kmetoni, and Jake Leigh, will also be performing.
One notable absence from the tour will be Chris McCausland, the first blind contestant to ever win Strictly Come Dancing. McCausland will not be participating in the live tour due to scheduling conflicts with his stand-up comedy tour, which overlaps with the Strictly dates.
While McCausland won’t be able to join the rest of the cast, his win remains a significant moment in the show’s history, and fans will undoubtedly miss his presence on the tour.
The UK live tour will travel to nine major cities across the country, offering fans the chance to experience the magic of Strictly Come Dancing in person. The cities included on the tour are Birmingham, Sheffield, Newcastle, Glasgow, Liverpool, Leeds, Manchester, Nottingham, and London.
With such a wide range of locations, the tour is sure to be a memorable event for fans across the UK, allowing them to see their favorite dancers perform live.
