Denise Van Outen ‘hyped up’ for Strictly Come Dancing tour

Sunday, January 20, 2013
10:47 AM

Denise Van Outen thinks taking part in the Strictly Come Dancing live tour is the real prize of the competition.

The TV presenter - who lost out to Louis Smith and his dance partner Flavia Cacace in the final of the BBC One show - is looking forward to touring big arenas across the UK this month as the atmosphere will be a lot more relaxed and fun than the Saturday night shows.

She said: “It’s great. Louis has got his glitterball, but for all of us, we feel like this is our prize at the end of the TV show.

“To get the chance to carry on and do it all again is like a little gift. And we don’t have the massive pressure of the TV crew and live show - we can enjoy it.

“We’ll be playing arenas so we’ll be more hyped up.”

Denise is still mindful of the judges Darcey Bussell, Len Goodman, Craig Revel Horwood and Bruno Tonioli and their harsh criticism, but hopes she will now be able to bond with them over to boozy nights out after the performances.

She added: “They know what they’re doing and they’re still going to pick up on things we don’t do well. But there wont be a bottom two so it’ll be more relaxed, plus we’ll see them in the bar afterwards! I’m sure it’ll be party central!”

The Strictly Come Dancing live UK shows run until February 10.