Strictly Come Dancing

Strictly Come Dancing lovebirds Kara Tointon and Artem Chigvintsev enjoyed some time off from their tour and went shopping in Manchester yesterday. They've had to miss a few live shows due to illness, but they're back on their feet and looking healthy and happy again. Kara has spoken about their plans for the future, which involve a trip to LA. She'll be swapping her sparkly outfits for something a bit more practical soon, as she's heading to Kenya to take part in a desert trek in aid of Comic Relief. Kara tweeted about having five jabs in preparation.

The Strictly Come Dancing gang have arrived in Liverpool ahead of their performance this evening. Their rehearsals started off in Nottingham two weeks ago, and since then the celebrities and professional dancers have been to Sheffield and London. I saw the fun show this weekend, and loved all the sparkly outfits and fab routines. Ricky Whittle, who is back with his pro Natalie Lowe, gave a thumbs up to the camera, while Matt Baker waved following his good news today that he will be the new presenter on The One Show. Kara Tointon is recovering from illness which forced her and her boyfriend Artem Chigvintsev to pull out of Saturday's shows. Tina O'Brien also made her way off the tour bus, after hanging out with Kara and with her pro Jared Murillo. Ann Widdecombe, Colin Jackson, Pamela Stephenson, and Patsy Kensit were also spotted arriving in Liverpool, as were judge Craig Revel Horwood and host Zoe Ball. They've still got several performances to give as they travel to more cities.

Tina O'Brien matched her new red hair to her bright lipstick when the Strictly Come Dancing Tour reached Sheffield yesterday. She started rehearsals as a blonde last week, but as the first live show drew near she switched up her look. Tina hung out with Kara Tointon as the group made their way from their rehearsals and opening shows in Nottingham up north. Jimi Mistry stayed close to his new professional partner Kristina Rihanoff last night, and Colin Jackson has also been paired with a different pro. Ricky Whittle is reunited with Natalie Lowe, while Patsy Kensit, Matt Baker, and Pamela Stephenson are on familiar ground with their dancers from this series. Judges Len Goodman and Bruno Tonioli and host Zoe Ball were also spotted.

Kara Tointon and Tina O'Brien hung out in Nottingham this weekend as the Strictly Come Dancing Tour kicked off. The whole gang got in their sparkly outifts for the first show on Friday, after rehearsing all week. Kara's partner Artem Chigvintsev was nearby, as was pro Kristina Rihanoff and her boyfriend Joe Calzaghe who came along to support her. Celebs including Ann Widdicombe, Ricky Whittle, Colin Jackson, Patsy Kensit, Matt Baker, and Jimi Mistry were all spotted going between their hotel and the arena. The group, including judges Len and Bruno and host Zoe Ball, is now in Sheffield as they take the tour around the country.

After rehearsing all week, the stars of the Strictly Come Dancing Tour took to the polished floor in Nottingham yesterday. This year's winner Kara Tointon and her partner Artem Chigvintsev will be battling to be crowned victorious again over the 36-date nationwide tour. Runner-up Matt Baker and his pro Aliona Vilani will be hoping to get their hands on the glitterball trophy at least once, as will their fellow 2010 contestants Tina O'Brien, Pamela Stephenson, Patsy Kensit, and Jimi Mistry. Last year's runner-up Ricky Whittle has returned to the dancefloor, as has series 3's Colin Jackson. Zoe Ball is back too, but as host rather than competitor, and Ann Widdicombe is also joining in the fun, dancing with Craig Revel Horwood.

Ricky Whittle and his pro partner Natalie Lowe are together again for the Strictly Come Dancing Tour. They were out in Nottingham last night with the rest of the gang, ahead of tonight's first live show. Ricky was runner-up in the 2009 competition, and 2010's second placed contestant Matt Baker is also on tour with his pro dancer Aliona Vilani. Kara Tointon and Artem Chigvintsev will dance together too, as will Tina O'Brien and Jared Murillo. Judges Len Goodman and Bruno Tonioli were spotted going to rehearsals yesterday, as was host Zoe Ball and fan favourite Ann Widdecombe. Other partnerships rehearsing include Pamela Stephenson and James Jordan, Patsy Kensit and Robin Windsor, Jimi Mistry and his new partner Kristina Rihanoff, and Colin Jackson with his new partner Ola Jordan.

The Strictly Come Dancing Tour starts tomorrow, and all of the celebs and their pro dancers have been gathering in Nottingham this week to prepare for the first live show. Kara Tointon and Artem Chigvintsev have stuck together during rehearsals, as have Tina O'Brien and Jared Murillo. Tina was sporting a new hair colour yesterday: do you prefer her as a redhead or blonde? Matt Baker and his pro partner Aliona Vilani were spotted with the gang yesterday, as were his fellow famous contestants Colin Jackson, Ann Widdecombe, Pamela Stephenson, Patsy Kensit, and Ricky Whittle. Pros Kristina Rihanoff, James and Ola Jordan, and Robin Windsor also attended rehearsals, plus judge Craig Revel Horwood and host Zoe Ball.

Yesterday was a banner day in the celebrity world of hair. Rihanna went from not only curly to straight and extended, but she's added in some heavy fringe to her bright red hair look too. Additionally, Ginnifer Goodwin spiked her cute pixie cut, whilst Lake Bell got fringe and Tina O'Brien went from pale blonde to auburn overnight! Check out these photos and vote on your favourite looks!

Tina O'Brien and her dancing partner Jared Murillo were with their Strictly Come Dancing pals in Nottingham yesterday. We saw the group arrive at the beginning of the week to start rehearsing for their tour, which kicks off on Friday. Kara Tointon and her officially confirmed boyfriend Artem Chigvintsev are together for the live dates over the next month. Other celebs spotted yesterday include Pamela Stephenson, Patsy Kensit, Ricky Whittle, and Jimi Mistry, who will dance with Kristina Rihanoff. Ann Widdecombe is also taking to the dance floor, but instead of Anton du Beke, she will be paired with Craig Revel Horwood! Craig will also assume his role of judge alongside Bruno Tonioli and Len Goodman, and Zoe Ball will host.

Kara Tointon and her boyfriend Artem Chigvintsev were amongst the Strictly Come Dancing stars who arrived in Nottingham yesterday ready to start this year's live tour. The couple have officially confirmed their romance, and have been inseparable since winning the show. They're in the Midlands with their fellow contestants from this series Tina O'Brien and her pro partner Jared Murillo, Pamela Stephenson and her pro dancer James Jordan, Patsy Kensit and her partner Robin Windsor, plus Ann Widdecombe, Jimi Mistry, and dancer Ola Jordan. Last year's runner-up Ricky Whittle was also spotted along with his pro Natalie Lowe. The judges, including Craig Revel Horwood, will be passing comment during the 36-date tour, which starts on Friday. Former contestant Zoe Ball will host, following her bikini holiday in Miami.