The annual tour will be making a stop at Manchester’s AO Arena
Motsi won’t be joining forces with her fellow judges(Image: PA)
Strictly Come Dancing’s Motsi Mabuse has made a live tour announcement as she revealed her ‘priority’ decision regarding the annual event.
Motsi returned to the BBC programme’s judging panel on Saturday night (September 20) for the dancing competition’s 23rd season.
The 44-year-old is once again joined by her fellow judges Craig Revel Horwood, Anton Du Beke and head judge Shirley Ballas.
This weekend will see all four of the judges having their say on the stars’ first performances, with Dani Dyer pulling out of the series through injury.
Dani was scheduled to be competing with professional dancer Nikita Kuzmin, but she confirmed her withdrawal after fracturing her ankle.
It was also announced on Tuesday (September 23), that the Strictly Come Dancing Live Tour will be back next year for its annual arena tour.
Kicking off in Birmingham at the Utilita Arena on January 23 for the first of five shows, the tour will go on to Newcastle, Leeds, Manchester, Sheffield, Liverpool, Glasgow and Nottingham, before culminating at The O2 in London on February 15.
Strictly Come Dancing judge Motsi Mabuse(Image: Motsi Mabuse Instagram)
Strictly fans from Manchester will be happy to know that the tour will be returning to the AO Arena on January 31 and February 1.
For those who have never been, the Strictly Live Tour gives audiences the chance to experience everything they love about the show live on stage.
Each show will see those in attendance voting on their mobile phones to see who gets the Glitterball Trophy each night of the tour.
Returning to serve as the tour host is Janette Manrara, who will be on our screens next week for spin-off show It Takes Two’s return.
It’s also been confirmed that Shirley, Anton and Craig will be on the judging panel, with Motsi not appearing at any of the dates.
“The Strictly Live Tour is always the best way to start the new year. So I can’t wait for 2026 to be back on the road with Anton and Craig and bring the magic of Strictly to fans across the country. Roll on January,” Shirley said.
Taking to her Instagram story on Tuesday evening, Motsi said she isn’t going on the tour as a result of her wanting to be at home with her husband Evgenij Voznyuk and their daughter.
She wrote: “This year I’ll be missing the Strictly Tour. My little girl has just started school, and as a working mum sometimes you have to make those balancing decisions.
“Once she’s settled, I know everything will fall into place, but right now my priority is giving her the best start to this new chapter.
“I wish everyone on tour all the fun and magic. I had the most fantastic time last year and will be cheering you all on from home!”
Tickets for each date of the tour will go on sale at 10am on Friday, September 26 from StrictlyComeDancingLive.com.