NORTH East entrepreneur and TV star Sara Davies took to the stage for the opening night of the Strictly Come Dancing Live Arena Tour.

The Crafters' Companion founder and panellist on BBC One's Dragon's Den is among a host of celebrities and professional dancers from the television series taking the show around the country.

They will perform 33 shows in some of the UK’s biggest arenas in Leeds, Newcastle, Manchester, Sheffield, Liverpool, Glasgow, Nottingham and London.

The show, which kicked off in Birmingham last night, will be at the Utilita Arena Newcastle next Thursday and Friday.

Mrs Davies and dance partner Aljaz Skorjanec will perform their foxtrot and quickstep routines.

During rehearsals last week, she said: "I’ve missed spending time with all my new dancing friends so much but most of all I’ve missed dancing with Aljaz.

"I can’t wait to get back on that dance floor and do these two amazing dances again."

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