For many a Strictly fan, there is no greater disappointment than when the show season comes to an end. Two evenings a week for 12 weeks are dominated by struts, sequins and salsas – heaven forbid if you want to watch anything else on the box.

To say Strictly Come Dancing Live is a glitzier, and dare I say a camper, extension of the television programme would be the understatement of the year. Craig Revel Horwood is the director of the show and he’s ensured that this glossy recreation of the BBC television format is absolutely resplendent – at times you’d be forgiven for thinking you were at the Blackpool Tower Ballroom.

Each night of the tour, contestants from the current series: Abbey Clancy, Natalie Guemede, Ben Cohen, Susanna Reid, Mark Benton, Deborah Meaden, and one from a past season: Nicky Byrne, compete to be crowned winner of the night and to take home the coveted Strictly trophy.

The judges play up to their reputations, with Craig as the resident nasty judge – a panto villain, Len Goodman the generous grandpa who sees the value in everything and Bruno Tonioli – the flamboyant, perma-tanned Italian. Although Darcey Bussell is absent from proceedings. Whereas on the TV show judges’ scores count for something, it’s in the audience’s hands who will prove victorious.

Which brings me to my first bug bear. The tickets are expensive, so I found it distasteful that the audience could only vote via text message, for a fee (a small percentage did go to charity, but it was nominal).

Then there’s the host. Admittedly Bruce Forsythe is a tough act to follow, but Lisa Riley just doesn’t have the charisma, the banter, nay the charm. You have to admire her lolloping from one side of the stage to the other at breakneck speed, especially given the choice of attire and footwear. But it’s all rather embarrassing.

As for the dancing, what to say? Sorry Abbey, but Natalie should’ve been crowned winner of the television show. The audience initially missed out on her jive because of illness, but we were treated to the dance that night, performed to Tina Tuner’s Proud Mary, and it turned out to be one of the routines of the evening. Similarly Nicky Byrne dancing the Charleston was just wonderful.

Abbey on the other hand – and I’m probably going to receive hate mail for this – was nothing special. She does make an elegant clotheshorse, however.

Mark Benton provided the comic relief, proving an audience favourite with two screeching young girls sitting behind me, and when Ben Cohen took to the stage in a snug white vest the audience was in seventh heaven. Whatever you feel about Strictly, there is no denying this show has something for everyone. It’s harmless, old fashioned entertainment, and in the words of Craig: “It’s FAB-U-LOUS DAHHHHLING!”

Amie Mulderrig