As most Strictly fans will admit, the professional dancers are truly “the stars of our show”. They may not gain the glory their celeb partners do, but their hard work is evident throughout each series.

So, without a celebrity face in sight (apart from Ali Bastian in the audience), five couples from the sequined behemoth of a TV show took to the stage to dazzle and delight with their fast-paced and complex choreography.

Thursday was the first night of the tour, and it was interesting to see how the format would work in such a large venue. Perhaps inevitably, certain aspects suffered as a result.

A lack of big screens meant it was difficult to catch every cucaracha and kick ball change, and the distance between the audience and the stage meant some of the intimacy created in the BBC studio was lost.

Nevertheless, the couples illuminated the stage with their energetic routines. Natalie Lowe and Ian Waite whipped and whirled their way through a magical foxtrot accompanied by the live band who gave a smooth rendition of Fred Astaire’s Cheek To Cheek.

All the couples donned GI costumes, complete with extra sparkle, for a group routine that encompassed a medley of jive, swing and Lindy Hop styles. The energy on Thursday night was spectacular and they seemed to pour every ounce of themselves into it.

Moments of quiet were also achieved with slow and sexy rumbas performed by Brian Fortuna and Kristina Rihanoff, and also husband and wife duo James and Ola Jordan, who danced beautifully to a pared-down version of The Shirelle’s Will You Still Love Me Tomorrow.

In the second half the heat was turned up with impressive cape work from Matthew Cutler and James Jordan in the paso doble, while Flavia Cacace and Vincent Simone mesmerised with their intricate and intertwining Argentine tango.

A well-deserved standing ovation finished off a night of world-class dance talent.