Debbie McGee leads the pack at Strictly tour launch

They enjoyed a whirlwind thirteen weeks on the beloved BBC series at the end of last year.

But Debbie McGee, Alexandra Burke and Joe McFadden slipped into sequins once again on Thursday, as they attended the launch of the exciting Strictly Come Dancing tour in Birmingham.

The performer, 59, showed off her famous flexibility in the arms of her partner Giovanni Pernice, while the singer and champion posed for equally playful shots with pros Gorka Marquez and Katya Jones, ahead of the 20-date run around the UK.

 

They’re back! Debbie McGee and her co-stars slipped into sequins once again on Thursday, as they attended the launch of the exciting Strictly Come Dancing tour in Birmingham

Strike a pose: Debbie posed in the arms of her partner Giovanni Pernice, while singer Alexandra Burke beamed with Gorka Marquez (above), ahead of the 20-date run around the UK

Strike a pose: Debbie posed in the arms of her partner Giovanni Pernice, while singer Alexandra Burke beamed with Gorka Marquez (above), ahead of the 20-date run around the UK

Main man: Joe McFadden also beamed for cameras as he posed with a playful Katya Jones, one month after being crowned the winners of the 2017 series

Main man: Joe McFadden also beamed for cameras as he posed with a playful Katya Jones, one month after being crowned the winners of the 2017 series

Debbie could not contain her joy as she posed on the red carpet first with partner Giovanni, with her famous leg lifted high into the air.

The star, who was married to the late Paul Daniels, showed off her enviably slim frame in a thigh-skimming gold dress, complete with 1920s-inspired fringing, and her beloved ballroom shoes.

Styling her hair into voluminous curls and adding a dramatic smoky eye, the blonde was the picture of old-school glamour as she struck a number of impressive poses with her partner. 

Siren: The star showed off her enviably slim frame in a thigh-skimming gold dress, complete with 1920s-inspired fringing, as she posed with Gio (above) 

Siren: The star showed off her enviably slim frame in a thigh-skimming gold dress, complete with 1920s-inspired fringing, as she posed with Gio (above) 

Catching attention: Styling her hair into voluminous curls and adding a dramatic smoky eye, the blonde was the picture of old-school glamour as she struck a number of impressive poses

Catching attention: Styling her hair into voluminous curls and adding a dramatic smoky eye, the blonde was the picture of old-school glamour as she struck a number of impressive poses

Catching attention: Styling her hair into voluminous curls and adding a dramatic smoky eye, the blonde was the picture of old-school glamour as she struck a number of impressive poses

Debbie and Giovanni just missed out on the glitterball trophy in the Strictly final in December, despite delivering three sensational routines.

The couple had been tipped as winners of the series, with the second highest average score over 16 dances.

Despite swirling romance rumours throughout the show, Giovanni has reportedly seen change in his love life – and has started dating TOWIE star Jess Wright.   

Here she goes: Debbie could not contain her joy as she posed on the red carpet first with partner Giovanni, with her famous leg lifted high into the air

Here she goes: Debbie could not contain her joy as she posed on the red carpet first with partner Giovanni, with her famous leg lifted high into the air

The pair have reportedly been together for a month and had been keeping a low-profile on their romance despite being spotted enjoying a drink together In November last year. 

Joining them on the red carpet was Alexandra Burke, who posed up a storm beside hunky partner Gorka Marquez.

The pair, who were plagued with feud rumours throughout the 2017 series, looked more than happy to be reunited as they performed a number of impressive lifts and poses for the cameras. 

Next up: Joining them on the red carpet was Alexandra Burke, who posed up a storm beside hunky partner Gorka Marquez

Next up: Joining them on the red carpet was Alexandra Burke, who posed up a storm beside hunky partner Gorka Marquez

Back together: The pair, who were plagued with feud rumours throughout the 2017 series, looked more than happy to be reunited as they posed

Back together: The pair, who were plagued with feud rumours throughout the 2017 series, looked more than happy to be reunited as they posed

Back together: The pair, who were plagued with feud rumours throughout the 2017 series, looked more than happy to be reunited as they posed

Stunning: Leaving her hair in loose, tousled waves and adding a slick of pink lipstick, the singer proved her natural beauty as she beamed ahead of the first live show

Stunning: Leaving her hair in loose, tousled waves and adding a slick of pink lipstick, the singer proved her natural beauty as she beamed ahead of the first live show

Leaving her hair in loose, tousled waves and adding a slick of pink lipstick, the singer proved her natural beauty as she beamed ahead of the first live show. 

It is no wonder Alexandra looked so happy at the launch – having recently confirmed her engagement to boyfriend Josh Ginnelly.

The couple became subject to rumours immediately after Strictly, and announced the happy news on Instagram last week. 

Alongside a photo of her dazzling ring, she wrote: ’18-12- 17 I said YES! Smiling as I type this because it was the best day ever in Paris and so unexpected. 

We are the champions: Posing next were Joe McFadden and Katya Jones, who were crowned the winners of the 2017 series just before Christmas

We are the champions: Posing next were Joe McFadden and Katya Jones, who were crowned the winners of the 2017 series just before Christmas

Better than the rest: Proving why they reigned victorious, the pint-sized couple embarked on a number of dynamic poses

Better than the rest: Proving why they reigned victorious, the pint-sized couple embarked on a number of dynamic poses

Better than the rest: Proving why they reigned victorious, the pint-sized couple embarked on a number of dynamic poses

Up in the air: One saw Joe happily and confidently lift partner Katya into the air

Up in the air: One saw Joe happily and confidently lift partner Katya into the air

3, 2, 1, jump! A later shot saw Katya playfully launch herself into the air while he stood proudly beside her, in his glittering ballroom shoes

3, 2, 1, jump! A later shot saw Katya playfully launch herself into the air while he stood proudly beside her, in his glittering ballroom shoes

‘My soul mate and my love asked me something that I could only have dreamt of. Being in love is one of the most magical feelings life has to offer.’

Posing next were Joe McFadden and Katya Jones, who were crowned the winners of the 2017 series just before Christmas.  

Proving why they reigned victorious, the pint-sized couple embarked on a number of dynamic poses – which saw Joe lift Katya for cameras, before she playfully jumped while he stood proudly beside her.

Winning viewers over with their chemistry on the show however, the pair later posed back to back, to the delight of onlookers.

Dynamic duo: Winning viewers over with their chemistry on the show however, the pair later posed back to back, to the delight of onlookers

Dynamic duo: Winning viewers over with their chemistry on the show however, the pair later posed back to back, to the delight of onlookers

Victorious: Joe and Katya won the coveted glitterball trophy last month, after scoring 39, 39 and 40 for their Charleston, Viennese Waltz and Showdance in the grand final

Victorious: Joe and Katya won the coveted glitterball trophy last month, after scoring 39, 39 and 40 for their Charleston, Viennese Waltz and Showdance in the grand final

Man of the hour: The win marked the series' oldest ever champion at 42 - taking the record from presenter Chris Hollins, who was 38 when he won in 2009

Man of the hour: The win marked the series’ oldest ever champion at 42 – taking the record from presenter Chris Hollins, who was 38 when he won in 2009

Joe and Katya won the coveted glitterball trophy last month, after scoring 39, 39 and 40 for their Charleston, Viennese Waltz and Showdance in the grand final.

The win marked the series’ oldest ever champion at 42 – taking the record from presenter Chris Hollins, who was 38 when he won in 2009. 

An emotional Joe had said after his win: ‘Oh my goodness. It’s completely surreal! I can’t believe we did it! Not in a million years did I think we could do it.’ 

Next to arrive was soap star Gemma Atkinson, who beamed with excitement beside partner and close friend Aljaz Skorjanec.  

Say cheese! Next to arrive was soap star Gemma Atkinson, who beamed with excitement beside partner and close friend Aljaz Skorjanec

Say cheese! Next to arrive was soap star Gemma Atkinson, who beamed with excitement beside partner and close friend Aljaz Skorjanec

The former Hollyoaks star, 33, showed off her famously slim and toned figure in her matching gold dress to her co-stars, as she worked the cameras with her partner. 

Gemma is rumoured to have caught the eye of professional dancer Gorka, who is partnered with Alexandra. 

The pair were the subject of dating rumours throughout the whole series, but these were only intensfied when they were spotted kissing goodbye after rehearsals last week.

The duo are also thought to go to the gym together, and have shared a number of cosy snaps in recent weeks on their social media pages. 

However, both denied they were dating during their time on the BBC show – with Gorka admitting Gemma was ‘a beautiful girl’ but they were just friends.

The former Hollyoaks star then revealed she was single but happy in her recent interview with Women’s Health.

She explained: ‘No, I’m not dating anyone at the moment. I wish I was. I’d much rather be on my own and be happy than be in the wrong situation with the wrong person.’ 

The Strictly Come Dancing tour kicks off on Friday night at the Birmingham Arena, with the couples performing for a live audience for the first time since the final.

The stars will then travel to Newcastle, Leeds and Manchester, as well as Belfast, Glasgow and Nottingham before the tour wraps at London’s O2 in February. 

The 2018 tour will be hosted by Ore Oduba, who lifted the glitterball trophy with Kevin’s sister, Joanne Clifton, in 2016. 

Off we go: The Strictly Come Dancing tour kicks off on Friday night

Off we go: The Strictly Come Dancing tour kicks off on Friday night



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