STRICTLY TOUR – MAISIE SMITH TO JOIN CELEB LINE-UP AS AJ ODUDU WITHDRAWS DUE TO INJURY

 

Strictly 2020 finalist and former EastEnders star Maisie Smith will be joining the celebrity line-up for this year’s Strictly Come Dancing Live UK Tour which kicks off on 20 January for 33 scintillating shows across the country. 

 

Maisie, who will dance with Strictly pro Kai Widdrington, will replace AJ Odudu who has had to withdraw from the tour on medical advice following an injury to her foot last December. 

 

Maisie said: ”I’m thrilled to be asked to restart my Strictly journey on this year’s arena tour.  Kai and I will be dancing the Quickstep and the Samba – I can’t wait for rehearsals to start next week.  It will be a joy to dance with everyone and so great to see my EastEnders friend Rose again.  I wish AJ a speedy recovery.” 

 

AJ Odudu said: “I’m devastated not to be able to take part in the Strictly tour due to injury. I had hoped for one last dance with Kai, but I must obviously follow the medical advice. I wish my Strictly family the very best of luck on the road and I’ll definitely be there to cheer them on.“ 

 

Maisie and Kai will join Strictly 2021 winners Rose Ayling-Ellis and Giovanni Pernice, alongside Sara Davies and Aljaž Skorjanec, Tilly Ramsay and Nikita Kuzmin, Rhys Stephenson and Nancy Xu, John Whaite and Johannes Radebe, and Max George and Katya Jones. 

 

As well as the couples’ dances, fans will have the chance to see some breathtaking group performances throughout the show. Professional dancers Nadiya Bychkova, Amy Dowden, Neil Jones, Jake Leigh, Cameron Lombard, Luba Mushtuk and Jowita Przystal will be bringing even more wow to this super-sized dance extravaganza, which features live music from the Strictly singers and band. 

 

The previously announced Live Tour judging panel of Shirley Ballas, Craig Revel Horwood and Bruno Tonioli; together with new tour host Janette Manrara, make this a sparkling line-up for the whole family not to be missed.  

 

 

STRICTLY COME DANCING THE LIVE TOUR 2022 

20–23 January Birmingham Utilita Arena  

(Thursday 20th at 7.30pm, Friday 21st at 7.30pm, Saturday 22nd at 2.30pm & 7.30pm, Sunday 23rd at 1.30pm & 6.30pm) 

25-26 January Leeds First Direct Arena  

(Tuesday 25th at 7.30pm, Wednesday 26th at 7.30pm) 

27-28 January Newcastle Utilita Arena  

(Thursday 27th at 7.30pm, Friday 28th at 2.30pm & 7.30pm) 

29-30 January Manchester AO Arena  

(Saturday 29th at 2.30pm & 7.30pm, Sunday 30th at 1.30pm & 6.30pm) 

01-02 February Sheffield Utilita Arena  

(Tuesday 1st at 7.30pm, Wednesday 2nd at 7.30pm) 

03-04 February Liverpool M&S Bank Arena  

(Thursday 3rd at 7.30pm, Friday 4th at 2.30pm & 7.30pm) 

05-07 February Glasgow The OVO Hydro  

(Saturday 5th at 3.00pm & 8.00pm, Sunday 6th at 1.30pm & 6.30pm, Monday 7th at 7.30pm) 

09-10 February Nottingham Motorpoint Arena  

(Wednesday 9th at 7.30pm, Thursday 10th at 2.30pm & 7.30pm) 

11-13 February London The O2 Arena  

(Friday 11th at 7.30pm, Saturday 12th at 2.30pm & 7.30pm, Sunday 13th at 1.30pm & 6.30pm)  

Tickets: £35 – £95 (price bands vary at each venue)   

All ticket prices are subject to a booking fee and may be subject to a venue facility fee 

 

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

 

 

 

Twitter: @SCD_Live_Tour 

Instagram: @Strictlycomedancinglive 

Facebook: /strictlylive 

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