Strictly Come Dancing arrived at the London O2 Arena on 7 February 2025 for the final leg of its nationwide tour.

Hosted by professional dancer, Janette Manrara, six celebrities from the latest series took to the floor for an evening of dancing, laughter and sparkle.

The star-studded lineup included EastEnders actor Jamie Borthwick, Gladiator Montell Douglas, Love Island star Tasha Ghouri, JLS member JB Gill, actress Sarah Hadland, and singer Shayne Ward.

Judges, Craig Revel Horwood, Motsi Mabuse, Anton Du Beke and Shirley Ballas were also on hand to give their views.

“This panel has a combined 200 years of dance experience,” Janette said, as they took their seats.

The audience stepped into the world of sequins and spray tans, as the lights went down and those familiar trumpets signalled two hours of pure joy.

Shayne took to the floor first, partnered by Nancy Xu, for an intense tango to Teddy Swims’ The Door, followed by a quickstep to the Beatles’ track Hey Jude.

The couple encouraged everyone to sing, and hearing nearly 20,000 people singing Hey Jude together was a real ‘goosebumps’ moment.

Montell Douglas danced an elegant quickstep to Ella Fitzgerald’s Get Happy, before a salsa to Don’t Leave Me This Way by Thelma Houston, with her partner Kai Widdrington.

Her salsa was the ultimate feel-good dance, and she proved she could be both a leading lady and a fiery presence onstage.

Jamie Borthwick then performed a playful jive to Las Ketchup’s The Ketchup Song, with his partner Michelle Tsiakkas.

But, their paso doble to Malagueña by Connie Francis was “fab-u-lous”, as Craig said, and they received a perfect score.

In a touching moment, Shirley presented Jamie with her Latin technique book she was given in 1976.

“This is your little mirrorball from me, to you, for all your hard work,” she said.

Tasha Ghouri danced her sophisticated showdance to Benny Goodman’s Sing Sing Sing,with Aljaž Škorjanec.

Their second routine, a gracefully breathtaking American Smooth to Someone You Loved by Lewis Capaldi, was a beautiful contrast, and both routines scored a perfect 40.

“Every male professional dancer backstage is so jealous of me right now,” Aljaž said, laughing as they finished.

Sarah Hadland, partnered with Nikita Kuzmin, danced a cha cha cha to Madonna’s Like A Prayer.

Each move was executed with stunning technique, as she performed with infectious joy.

They followed it with a charleston to Popular from the 2024 movie-musical hit Wicked.

It was no surprise that they were voted the most Popular, and they lifted the tour glitterball that evening.

Each night, the audience would be invited to text in their favourite couple, paying approximately £2 to cast a vote.

The couple with the most votes would then lift the glitterball that night.

JB Gill closed the show, partnering Amy Dowden for a beautiful waltz to When I Need You by Leo Sayer.

This was followed by a sizzling samba to Mas Que Nada by Sergio Mendes, with Lauren Oakley.

“He brought the party vibe, which is what the samba is all about,” Lauren said.

The professional dancers also had their chance to shine, opening the show with a beautiful number to celebrate 20 years of Strictly Come Dancing.

It was the ultimate feel-good night, complete with flawless footwork, talent and charm that can only be found on Strictly.

The tour was a sparkling celebration of the show’s glitz and glamour, a reminder of how it has resonated with audiences for years and will continue to do so for many more to come.

Truly a 10.