The BBC has confirmed the return of the Strictly Come Dancing Live Tour for 2026, with the production set to visit arenas across the UK from January through February. The tour will feature a selection of contestants from the current 2025 season competing for the Glitter Ball trophy in multiple cities. While the celebrity lineup remains unannounced, the judging panel and host have been finalized for the nationwide shows.

The tour schedule begins on January 23rd at Birmingham's Utilita Arena and concludes on February 15th at London's O2 Arena. Additional stops include Newcastle's Utilita Arena, Leeds' First Direct Arena, Manchester's AO Arena, and Liverpool's M&S Bank Arena. Each venue will host multiple performances daily, with shows scheduled for 2:30pm and 7:30pm throughout the tour's 30-show run.

Judges Shirley Ballas, Anton Du Beke, and Craig Revel Horwood will return to the judging table for all performances, while professional dancer Janette Manrara will serve as tour host. Ballas expressed enthusiasm about the upcoming tour, stating: "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."

Ticket presales begin on September 25th through Ticketmaster, with general sales expected to follow. The tour will feature accessibility accommodations including British Sign Language interpreters displayed on large screens during all performances. Ticket prices are anticipated to be similar to previous years, starting from approximately £41.95.

British actor Callum Turner and pop superstar Dua Lipa have captured public attention with their whirlwind romance that began in January 2024 and culminated in an engagement confirmed in June. The couple's relationship timeline includes key public milestones, from being spotted together after the 'Masters of the Air' premiere in London to making their red carpet debut at the 2025 Met Gala. Their journey from initial meeting to engagement has unfolded over approximately 18 months, with both stars navigating demanding careers while building their personal connection.

The couple's first encounter reads like something from a romantic screenplay. Turner, 35, revealed to The Times that they finally met at a mutual friend's birthday party in Los Angeles after experiencing several 'near-misses' where their paths almost crossed but didn't. The most remarkable aspect of their initial meeting occurred when they sat next to each other and discovered they were both reading the same book, Hernán Díaz's 'Trust,' and had both just finished the first chapter. Turner described the moment as cinematic, noting that they realized they were 'on the same page' both literally and figuratively.

Maintaining a relationship between two high-profile careers requires strategic effort, and Turner has shared insights into how they manage the challenges of long-distance dating. The actor emphasized the importance of making time for each other regardless of busy schedules, stating their motto is 'it's never not worth it.' He recounted a recent instance where he flew to Boston for just two days to see Lipa between her tour commitments and his filming schedule, despite feeling exhausted. The couple relies heavily on FaceTime to stay connected and prioritizes creating meaningful memories during their limited time together.

Before their fateful meeting, Turner and Lipa experienced what he describes as multiple 'sliding doors' moments that nearly prevented their connection. The actor detailed one specific instance where Lipa left a party at 1:45 AM and he arrived at 2:00 AM, missing each other by mere minutes. These near-misses spanned several occasions involving mutual friends and shared social circles. Turner expressed gratitude that when they finally did meet under the right circumstances, he immediately recognized Lipa as 'the most beautiful woman in the world,' setting the stage for a relationship that would quickly progress from dating to engagement.