Daily Mirror (Northern Ireland)
Strictly Or e : I’ ll h a v e a craic
Star vows to try Irish dancing on Belfast tour
HE won the hearts of the nation as he discovered a love of boogying on Strictly Come Dancing.
Now the reigning Glitterball champion, Ore Oduba, is back and set to host the 2018 tour, which is returning to Belfast for the first time in years.
The TV presenter said he was expecting a loud and warm reception – and revealed he may try a bit of Irish dancing.
Dapper Ore said: “Last year we did a tour and it was amazing to see all the thousands of fans who love the show.
“But there were pockets of the country saying, ‘We would love you to come and see us’.
“Belfast was the huge one – it has been off the bill for a few years and we thought we had to go back. I’ve been a few times and I know how amazing the city is.
“For me to be there with Strictly, to do this tour, it is going to be phenomenal.
“There’s an amazing warmth with Belfast.
“They are going to be noisy – it will blow us away. I can’t wait.
PHENOMENAL
“The tour has been going 11 years and the TV show 15, and it is the people who come out who make it feel fresh and new and exciting.
“I think our friends in Belfast will be phenomenal.”
When asked if he would take to the dance floor himself during the tour, Ore was coy – and said he’d need to speak to judge Craig Revel Horwood.
But he admitted being in the capital would be the perfect time to give Irish dancing a go.
He laughed: “Maybe that could be the time.
“It would be wrong not to – when in Rome and all that.”
The cast of the 15th series of the popular BBC One show are preparing to take to the floor for the first time on Saturday night with their partners.
Ore, who won the show with dance partner Joanne Clifton in 2016, was partned for last year’s 2017 tour with her sister-in-law Karen Clifton.
He said taking part in Strictly had been his dream and being part of the family was something he cherished.
He explained: “You get this buzz – you can feel it as the cast is announced.
“Having been there and done the show, and been so lucky to win it and do the tour, Strictly becomes your life.
“It has changed a lot of things in so many amazing ways.
“People come and do the show from all walks of life, all kinds of careers, and
YESTERDAY
they return to it in some shape or another.
“For me, I am a fan first and foremost. I love the show, so to be able to put together my work as a TV presenter and do the hosting on the tour is incredible.”
Ore, who had no dance experience before taking part in the series, said he had two dreams in life – to meet and marry the love of his life and to take part in Strictly Come Dancing.
He added: “Those are two things you can’t plan for. They might not happen, but I did them within a year of each other.”
And Ore, who is still dancing, takes his tour role very seriously.
He said: “It is a big responsibility, people love the show and I want to make sure it’s a slick and job. “There have been some amazing people who have hosted it, and to be part of that is incredible.”
The 30-show spectacular will open at the Birmingham Arena on January 19, 2018.
The tour will visit some of the biggest entertainment venues across the UK, including Belfast at the SSE Arena.
The tour culminates at The O2 Arena in London on February 11.
The Belfast shows take place on Tuesday, January 30, at 7.30pm and the following day at 2.30pm & 7.30pm.
Tickets go on sale at 8am today. To book please contact the venue or call 0844 875 8758.