STRICTLY Come Dancing stars, Aljaz Skorjanec and Janette Manrana, are taking their Remembering Fred song and dance show on a 46-date tour, including Swindon.

Inspired by the famed American Songbook the pair, supported by a cast of singers and dancers, pay homage to the late, great, Fred Astaire. The dancers told the Adver about creating the show.

“We had the most wonderful experience choreographing and starring in Remembering Fred in 2017,” began Janette.

“We were blown away by the audience reaction at every single show and we can’t wait to bring Remembering Fred to more people in 2018.”

“It’s an honour to celebrate Fred Astaire’s career and to perform all the routines inspired by his genius,” added Aljaz.

“Just like Fred, we will again be doing it big, doing it right, and doing it with style.”

The darlings of the Strictly dance floor wed last summer and Janette’s father recorded the wedding song.

“We did five conventions, two Strictly cruises, and we got married – we had three wedding ceremonies,” said Janette. “We’ve also moved into a new flat.

“As for the wedding, my dad recorded our wedding song and it was so beautiful, I cried. Husband in my arms, dancing with me and looking into my eyes, my father singing our song – I was an emotional wreck.”

The emotions Janette describes at her wedding to Aljaz are also seen in their onstage chemistry.

The original tour played to a sell-out crowd at the London Palladium, also saw the pair receive standing ovations night after night. . This time around, as they hit the road, they promise something that little different, to jazz it up, adding extra to the production.

At their first show, at the Blackpool Opera House, they were visited by Barrie Chase, Fred Astaire’s last dance partner.

“I can’t actually describe the motions,” Aljaz said of their guest. “We were very excited and very nervous for the first night and wanted to do a great job.

“We knew we’d put together a great show, so, to have Barrie there, made it even more special.

“It tied the whole thing together, bringing the past into the present.

“She was very supportive and very emotional about the whole show. It was incredible meeting her and she said lovely things about it.

“I won’t lie, having someone there I’ve looked up to throughout my whole dance career did add a little bit of pressure, but it was one hell of a bonus.”

Aljaz and Janette will perform Remembering Fred at the Wyvern Theatre on April 3 and 4.

Tickets are availalbe from swindontheatres.co.uk or by calling 01793 524481. Prices range from £27 to £77 and there will be a VIP meet and greet from 6.15pm. - PETER MANN