Strictly diet for dance champ Chris Hollins - VIDEO
STRICTLY Come Dancing fans were today urged to quickstep to Sheffield Arena box office - if they want tickets for NEXT YEAR'S live shows.
The venue is only getting two performances and 14,000 tickets.
It compares with 30,000 ticket sales for five shows, featuring current champ Chris Hollins, at the venue this weekend - Friday to Sunday, Januuary 29 to 31, 2010.
VIDEO: Press the play button to watch our video chats with latest Strictly Come Dancing TV series winners Chris Hollins and Ola Jordan - plus Sheffield's own Darren Bennett and Lilia Kopylova.
MORE VIDEO: Strictly Sheffield is "nerve-wracking", say dance stars Darren and Lilia - VIDEO
Arena bosses say despite the show's popularity, a tight tour schedule means they will only get two weekday slots for next year's live tour, on Monday and Tuesday, January 17 and 18, 2011. Tickets went on sale today.
"We have over 30,000 customers attending this weekend and our capacity will be reduced to 14,000 next year. So we expect it to sell out in record time and fans should book now to avoid disappointment,'' said marketing manager Simon Bailey.
Limited tickets are available for today and tomorrow's performances - also featuring Ricky Groves, Ali Bastian, Natalie Cassidy, Zoe Lucker, Kelly Brook, Austin Healey and Mark Ramprakash.
TV judges Bruno Tolioni and Craig Revel-Horwood were last night joined by original line-up member Arlene Philips, who returns tomorrow. Len Goodman is on the panel tonight and tomorrow, with all shows hosted by TV presenter Amanda Byram.
Also in the spotlight are Sheffield's own professional dancers, husband and wife, Darren Bennett and Lilia Kopylova. They revealed that Latin Fever, their West End show from last year, is coming to Sheffield.
They are also continuing to take an active involvement in Essentially Dance, on target to get 150,000 young people dancing in schools by the summer.
Darren, aged 32, told The Star: "We'll be touring Latin Fever all June and a bit of July. We're definitely coming to Sheffield. We also always get such a great reaction here."
Moscow born Lila, 31,said of performing in front of family and friends this weekend: "We're very nervous. It's the same for everybody. Nobody gets properly nervous until their family and friends come along."
Chris Hollins, juggling his BBC Breakfast sports presenting job with the live Arena shows, is reunited with winning dance partner Ola Jordan - who has put him on a diet.
Chris, an ex-professional footballer and cricketer, the son of England and Chelsea star John, laughed: "It doesn't look very nice in a sequin shirt when your belly's popping out. You're in trouble. We still can't believe we won. If ballroom dancing appears in the Olympic games I'm putting myself forward to represent Great Britain."
Limited tickets, for this weekend's shows, are 35, 42.50, 55 and 65, may be subject to a booking fee. Next year's show tickets, 35, 42.50, 55, for January 17 and 18, also available. Buy in person, call 0114 256 5656 or visit www.sheffieldarena.co.uk
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Saturday 26 May 2012
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