'Strictly Come Dancing: The Professionals' tour postponed until 2022
Strictly Come Dancing: The Professionals tour has been postponed to 2022 due to the coronavirus pandemic.
Organisers of the event, which was due to begin 26 June, said they had made the “difficult” decision due to the “ongoing uncertainty” surrounding live entertainment venues across the UK.
In a statement, organisers said: “Unfortunately due to the scale of the Strictly Come Dancing: The Professionals production, it is not possible to tour unless the show has the opportunity to perform to full capacity houses.”
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All ticket holders will be offered an exchange to the 2022 tour or a full refund, organisers added.
Several Strictly professionals spoke of their disappointment on the event's postponement, including Janette Manrara.
She shared to Instagram: "I am truly grateful to have this holiday to distract me from the heavy sadness I have in my heart that this is not going forward... 😥
"I have missed dancing more than I can ever explain, but unfortunately hard decisions have been made by higher ups. I apologise on my part for not being able to dance for you all. It was out of my hands. I know the universe works in mysterious ways so I trust in it and pray to be dancing again for you all soon 💔#Heartbroken #TrustTheUniverse #GreatThingsWillCome."
While Dianne Buswell said: “So gutted about this. Sorry to all that were looking forward to it. But on the bright side next year will be bigger better and brighter for all.”
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The Professionals tour is one of three official Strictly tours due to open in 2022 as Strictly Come Dancing Live Arena Tour is set for January while Strictly Presents: The Power of Dance is scheduled to begin in June.
There's been some changes to the wider Strictly presenting line-up as Zoe Ball announced this week she would be stepping down from hosting weekday companion show It Takes Two after 10 years.
Co-star Ian Waite, who was her professional partner when she competed in 2005, also revealed he would be leaving too.
With additional reporting by PA.
