Strictly Come Dancing stars, Ian Waite and Natalie Lowe, are on a mission this summer to get all the world dancing.

And the first step is to get their audience up on stage in their new show, Somewhere In Time, which will be stopping off in Swindon as part of a UK tour this month.

On the same day that Ian was recording a dance video with TV presenter Angela Rippon he got the call to appear on Strictly. Since then he has taken part in seven series of the dance programme and joins Zoe Ball on the spin off nightly show, It Takes Two, to critique the current crop of dancers.

"I won't know until July but hopefully I will be back for a sixth year with Zoe in the autumn,'' said Ian, who was the presenter's professional partner on the show in 2005, when they finished in fifth place.

"Zoe and I were friends before we danced together on the show,'' he said.

Natalie has been asked back as one of the professionals but more than that she can not say, and in the meantime the dancers are concentrating on their show.

Natalie said: "We are taking people back through a series of eras in dance and singing, from the Argentine Tango to the Charleston. It is a roller coaster, a musical and emotional journey in time, and we have taken audience participation to a new level. There is also a live Q and A section, it is a varied show and people leave with smiles on their faces. It is not a job it is a joy."

Ian agrees, saying he loves to dance and choreograph a show that is both dramatic and emotive with a mix of both classical and modern dances.

"It is storytelling in every dance, they all have a narrative,'' he said.

At the young age of ten, Ian accompanied his younger brother to dance lessons, and despite his enthusiasm for football and rugby he was enticed on to the dance floor, and never looked back. He has notched up numerous awards including European Youth Latin American Champion, finalist in the World Showdance Championship, European Professional Latin American Championships and British National Dance Championships.

The dancers admit that their friendship helps life on the road. It is also true of life on Strictly.

"We talk about this on our show,'' said Natalie. "We are friends, we go on holidays together, we work on our dance fitness programmes together, so it is easy to travel together.

On Strictly the big professional numbers allow the dancers to have a say in the choreography but when they are tutoring the celebrities they have sole charge of the steps.

Ian said: "We are all huge pals on Strictly, but every year you get someone very good or someone below par or someone in the middle. It can get more intense depending whether you get someone who doesn't take it too seriously or someone who is competitive,'' said Ian.

This is going to be a busy year for Ian as he is moving house, and in July marries his partner, while Natalie has also become engaged to her fiancee. "Dave and I will be travelling back to Australia for the wedding,'' she said.

As if this wasn't enough for the dancers they are launching an online dance programme called Fitness Life that will help those wanting to learn a wedding dance.

Tickets to see Ian and Natalie in at the Wyvern Theatre in Swindon on Thursday April 27 and Friday, April 28 from 7.30pm, are £26 to 28 from 01793 524481 www.swindontheatres.co.uk - Flicky Harrison

Dance fit classes inspired by Ian and Natalie in Swindon:

  • Thursdays: Fitsteps, 7.30pm, St Margaret’s Centre, Kenwin Close, Swindon. 07747606501. ‘Strictly’ dance for all levels.
  • Fridays: Fitsteps Class, 10am, The Dance Studio, The Marsh, Wanborough. 07747606501
  • Mondays: Fitsteps Class, 8pm, The Dance Studio, The Marsh, Wanborough. 07747606501. A fun dance and fitness class based on the moves from Strictly. Suitable for all ages and abilities.
  • Tuesdays: Fitsteps Class, 6pm, St Joseph’s Catholic College, Ocotal Way, Swindon. £5. 07747606501.