The Saturdays star Frankie Bridge is the first celebrity to be confirmed to compete in the 2016 Strictly Come Dancing UK tour, which kicks off in Birmingham on 22 January.Frankie was left 'devastated' earlier this year when she had to pull out of the live tour on the advice of her doctor when she found out she was pregnant with baby number two.
Frankie Bridge is the first contestant confirmed for the Strictly Live Tour
"Although this is such an incredible time for us as a family, due to health reasons I am sadly unable to go on the Strictly tour as planned.""I’m devastated that I’m missing out as I loved Strictly so much and was so looking forward to joining everyone again on the live show. "Luckily, Frankie can get her dancing shoes back on next year. "I was so disappointed not to be able to perform in this year's Strictly Tour, as I’d been so looking forward to continuing my Strictly journey.
"But following the birth of my son in August, I’m thrilled to have been asked to join the 2016 tour. It will be great to get my dancing shoes back on and be part of the Strictly family again. Roll on January!"Frankie will join the new Strictly tour host Mel Giedroyc, who describes herself as a Strictly superfan and says she is "thrilled" with her new gig.
Mel will be hosting this year's live tour
"The celebrity dancers and their professional partners will make for a sequin-tacular time on stage. (Note to self – must rent a pair of sparkling white dentures for January/February...). Who knows I might even shake a leg myself – as long as Strictly provide me with a surgical corset!"Judges Len Goodman, Bruno Tonioli and Craig Revel Horwood, who also directs the tour, will be joining the two ladies and more contestants that are yet to be revealed for the 30 date live extravaganza.
The tour opens at the Barclaycard Arena, Birmingham on 22 January 2016. It will then visit the biggest entertainment venues across the UK: Sheffield Arena, First Direct Arena Leeds, Manchester Arena, Liverpool's Echo Arena, Metro Radio Arena in Newcastle, The SSE Hydro in Glasgow, Nottingham's Capital FM Arena, The SSE Arena in Wembley, before culminating at The O2, London on Valentine's Day.