Strictly Come Dancing celebrities dance up storm

Strictly Come Dancing, NIA

By Adam Burling

After a triumphant year when Strictly trounced X Factor in the TV ratings, the live tour stopping off at Birmingham NIA last night had the feel of a victory parade.

The crowd was in raptures all evening as some of the best celebrity dancers the show has ever seen took to the dance floor to demonstrate why the series is so popular.

One of the secrets of Strictly's success is its reliance on real talent.

Sure, there is plenty of glitter, fake tan and camp costumes, but it all comes down to the ability to dance some often very challenging steps.

Audiences love to see someone like ex-Birmingham City midfielder Robbie Savage develop as the weeks go by – and the cheers that greeted him last night suggest his days as one of the country's most hated footballers are gone.

Of course, the fans also want to see someone who could train for three years and still not have a shred of rhythm.

Step up Nancy Dell'Olio, who fits the bill as this year's token "comedy contestant".

Beyond the laughs, the crowd could only marvel at the skills demonstrated by the three top scorers, Jason, Chelsee and winner Harry.

But poor Jason suffered a blip during his jive – when he dropped his partner Kristina Rihanoff on the floor.