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Manchester Evening News
Manchester Evening News
Entertainment
Katie Fitzpatrick

Strictly dancers spotted leaving hotel ahead of Manchester show

They held the nation enthralled with one of the moving series in Strictly history and the dancers looked on top form as they arrived in Manchester for their live show.

The Strictly Come Dancing Live tour comes to the AO Arena tonight and the stars of the show, including 2021 champions Rose-Ayling Ellis and Giovanni Pernice, were all smiles as they left their hotel.

Show favourites were almost unrecognisable, away from the Strictly shimmer and sequins, as they were spotted heading to the arena.

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They were seen in smart casual outfits and brightly patterned sportswear as they grabbed coffees en route to the venue.

Nadiya Bychkova (Stephen Farrell)

Nadiya Bychkova was partnered with BBC Breakfast presenter Dan Walker on the 2021 series of Strictly.

She looked elegant in a black T-shirt dress and knee-high boots.

And she wore a long black cardigan coat and carried a large grey bag packed for the day.

Luba Mushtuk (Stephen Farrell)

The dancer appeared in good spirits as she waved to onlookers.

Fellow pro-dancer Luba Mushtuk also turned heads in an all-black outfit as she greeted fans.

The Russian dancer matched her red manicured nails with the detailing on her animal print bag.

Katya Jones (Stephen Farrell)

Katya Jones, who was partnered with Olympic swimmer Adam Peaty, wore a black dress with a lace trim.

And she warded off the January chill in a checked jacket and black beanie hat.

Amy Dowden danced with McFly musician Tom Fletcher in the recent series.

Amy Dowden (Stephen Farrell)

She protected her peepers from the winter sun with a pair of dark glasses.

And she wrapped up warm in a snuggly black puffer coat with a fluffy hood worn over a green zip-up top with black trousers.

Nancy Xu, who made it to the show semi-finals with her partner CBeebies presenter Rhys Stephenson, wore a striking multi-coloured blazer coordinated with a burnt orange bag over a black high-neck top.

Nancy Xu (Stephen Farrell)

Kai Widdrington was devastated to miss out on the final with his celeb partner OJ Odudu after she suffered a ligament injury.

AJ had to pull out of the show due to doctor's orders over the injury and she has been replaced on the tour by actress Maisie Smith.

"I'm devastated not to be able to take part in the Strictly tour due to injury," AJ said previously.

Kai Widdrington (Stephen Farrell)

"I had hoped for one last dance with Kai, but I must obviously follow the medical advice.

"I wish my Strictly family the very best of luck on the road and I'll definitely be there to cheer them on."

Kai wore a white T-shirt with a jacket and beanie hat to keep warm as he headed off for the day.

Maisie Smith (Stephen Farrell)

His dance partner former EastEnders star Maisie looked stylish in a yellow, green and black sporty jumper with white lettering.

She teamed it with a pair of black trousers and white and grey trainers and added a baseball cap as she grinned outside the hotel.

Winner Rose, who plays EastEnders' Frankie Lewis, wore a red and blue St Louis Cardinals baseball jacket with a white hoodie and blue denim jeans.

Rose Ayling-Ellis (Stephen Farrell)

And she was grinning from ear to ear as she gave fans a thumbs-up signal.

Rose, from Manchester, won hearts and made history on the show with pro Giovanni Pernice, as Strictly's first ever deaf contestant.

The pair reduced fans to tears as they included a poignant 10 second silence in their dance to Clean Bandit's Symphony.

Giovanni Pernice (Stephen Farrell)

Rose said the Sicily-born dancer is her 'best friend for life' after their life-changing four months working together.

And Giovanni also gave a thumbs-up as he stepped out in a smart black coat and jeans worn with a denim blue roll-neck top.

CBBC star Tilly Ramsay wore a quilted black coat and leggings as she left the hotel holding two cups of coffee.

Tilly Ramsay (Stephen Farrell)

She also opted for comfort in plush pink and purple fluffy slippers.

The daughter of TV chef Gordon Ramsay danced up a storm on the hit BBC One show with Nikita Kumzin.

She and her dance partner exited the 2021 series just before the quarter-final in November following their third time in the bottom two.

Tilly and Nikita are out on the road with several other Strictly stars as the tour visits arenas across the country.

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