Countryfile presenter Anita Rani has been announced as the host of the upcoming Strictly Come Dancing tour, replacing Mel Giedroyc. The tour, which marks its tenth anniversary, begins in January.
Len Goodman will continue as a judge on the tour, despite announcing his departure from the television series. He will be joined by Craig Revel Horwood and guest judge Karen Hardy. Goodman expressed enthusiasm for the tour, calling it 'one to remember' as he completes his final year as head judge on the TV show.
Rani, who competed on Strictly Come Dancing last year and finished in fifth place, has previously co-presented Watchdog and Four Rooms. She takes over from Giedroyc, who has signed up to co-present a new BBC One talent show, Let It Shine, alongside Graham Norton in 2017.
The live shows, directed by Revel Horwood for the seventh year, will feature celebrity contestants from the show, though the lineup has not yet been confirmed. Audiences will be able to vote for their favourite dancers as the judges score performances.
