Our fab-u-lous round-up of 2021’s hottest Strictly inspired Christmas Gifts

Updated 6th December 2021

‘It’s beginning to feel a lot like Christmas…’ too early? Well, we hate to jolt you out of your happy place, but the festive season is fast approaching. Stress not, we’re about to make your Christmas shopping a whole lot easier with our Strictly inspired Top 10 Christmas Gift Guide.

1. Official Strictly Come Dancing Annual 2022

The perfect gift for the fan who likes to literally paw over images of the Strictly stars and absorb as many facts as possible about their favourite show.
Price: around £13

2. 4* Evening with the Stars of Strictly 2022

Score maximum brownie points for the most thoughtful present, book a Short Break with the Stars of Strictly.

Enjoy a fabulous evening as Strictly Judge Anton Du Beke & Erin Boag perform up close & personal for a truly intimate experience unlike any other.

Plus, learn to dance with the ‘King Of Ballroom’ himself in our fun dance lesson.

3. Strictly Come Dancing – The Glitter Ball Challenge Game

Whilst ardent Strictly fans may subscribe to the belief that nothing is as good as the real McCoy, they may just waver when they unwrap this Strictly inspired game. This hilarious family game has a revolving Glitter Ball that plays the Strictly theme tune and is perfect for 3-6 players and suitable for age 7+, sounds fab-u-lous darling.
Price: £18-£20

4. Official Strictly Come Dancing 2022 Calendar

The perfect stocking filler for any Strictly Fan looking to get organised next year. This official Strictly Come Dancing Slim Calendar features some of the famous Strictly sayings and includes ‘Amaz-ing,’ ‘Sparkling’ and ‘7’ to name a few!!! The Strictly Come Dancing Official Slim 2022 Calendar is a must for any Strictly fan, with each month having a Strictly Saying to brighten up your month and plenty of room to write your notes and appointments..
Price: Around £8

5. Strictly Come Dancing DVD: Motsi & Anton’s Strictly The Best [2021]

Join Strictly Come Dancing judges Motsi Mabuse and Anton du Beke, in this special feature-length DVD, as they revisit some of the show’s very best and most memorable dances.

Watch along as Motsi and Anton each choose their favourite routine from all the Strictly dance categories including; Waltz, Viennese Waltz, Foxtrot, Quickstep, Tango, Cha Cha, Jive, Paso, Samba, Rumba, American Smooth, Argentine Tango, Charleston, Salsa and Couple’s Choice, before ultimately deciding which one is Strictly the best!
Price: Around £9.99

6. Purple Strictly Come Dancing Drink Set

Pretty self explanatory this one and ideal for Strictly obsessives.
Price: around £15

8. Strictly Come Dancing CD

40 dance-inducing songs performed by Dave Arch and his wonderful Strictly Come Dancing Band that will have any Strictly obsessive up on their feet in no time. It’s a must for any serious fan.
Price: around £4.50

9. Anton Du Beke – Book Collection & CD

If your nearest and dearest is completely obsessed with Anton (who isn’t?), then they probably already own a smorgasbord of his merchandise. But do they have a copy of his debut CD, ‘From the Top’ his debut novel, ‘One Enchanted Evening’ or his brand new Novel ‘We’ll Meet Again’ The romantic new novel from Sunday Times bestselling author Anton Du Beker’?
Price: ‘From the Top’ CD around £5 and ‘One Enchanted Evening’ & ‘We’ll Meet Again’ hardback from £6.50-£12.99

10. Shirley Ballas – Behind the Sequins: My Life

Shirley Ballas has enjoyed a spectacular dance career spanning more than 40 years – she has Cha-Cha’d her way across the world’s dance floors to become a multi-award-winning Latin and Ballroom champion, and one of the most renowned dancers in the world. In 1996, Shirley retired from competitive dancing to become a highly acclaimed coach and teacher.

Speaking from the heart, Shirley leaves her dancing shoes at the door to tell you the story of a fiery, strong-willed grafter, who danced through everything life threw at her and was never afraid to leave it all on the floor.
Price: Around £10

Covid Secure Policy
– Updated 24th June 2022

As always, Donahey’s number one priority is our guests, performers, team & contractors safety.

Donahey’s continue to work in partnership with venue management teams towards delivering you a safe & fabulous Dancing With The Stars Weekend – something we are all very much looking forward to right now.

We know some of you simply can’t wait to get back onto the dancefloor and take part in fabulous workshops and enjoy breathtaking showcases with the Stars.

Our Resort Hotels are all designated ‘Good to Go’, the industry issued standard that confirms a venue has COVID-safe policies in place. Over the past few months all our venues have returned to providing safe & successful indoor events, operating at normal capacity with dancing allowed.

The below measures will be in place for all Donahey’s March, April & July 2022 Star Breaks.

Covid Pass

To provide reassurance to all our guests, performers, team & contractors that we are providing a safe event, at registration we will be asking ALL guests to show;

• Proof they are fully vaccinated or have medical exemption/natural immunity.

AND;

• Proof of a negative NHS Lateral Flow Test (LFT) taken on the day of arrival.

Absolutely no admittance without both.

These measures are in place to help reassure you our valued guests, plus our performers and team, that you and the people around you are protected as best as possible.

Donahey’s continue to monitor all UK Government guidelines in relation to indoor seated events of 300-400 guests.

Covid Secure Measures

All guests have a shared responsibility in the safety of our break. As the situation evolves, so will our approach to keeping you safe. We thank you for your patience and flexibility as we manage this and ask that you check back here for any updates.

FACE COVERINGS
In line with current government legislation; In England & Wales Face Coverings are not required, and are optional at your choice.

HAND SANITISER
Please regularly use the hand sanitisation stations that can be found in all public areas, entrances to ballrooms and on your ballroom tables.

SOCIAL DISTANCING
We ask that you still maintain a respectful distance when queuing and moving around resort.

VENUE CAPACITY
Our venues are now operating at normal capacity with table-sharing and dancing allowed. Those of you who have attended previously know, we keep numbers to a comfortable level with plenty of space to dance.

BALLROOM VENTILATION
Windows & doors opened for fresh air circulation in the ballrooms.

CLEANING MEASURES
Cleaning protocols in bedrooms and all public areas are strengthened to focus on High Impact Touchpoint (HIT) cleaning across the resorts.

SYMPTOMS & POSITIVE TESTS
Symptoms which won’t be accepted at the event include a high temperature, a new and continuous cough, and sudden loss of taste or smell. If you have symptoms or test positive for COVID-19, you should not travel. More information can be found here on the NHS website www.nhs.uk/conditions/coronavirus-covid-19/symptoms/main-symptoms/

CASHLESS
Our venues no longer accept cash or cheque payments. Payments can be made contactless via card or room charge. Celtic Manor has a mobile app for payments also.

Covid Secure Policies

A copy of Donahey’s Events LTD robust Covid Secure Policy can be viewed and downloaded here;

https://www.donaheys.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/Donaheys-Events-LTD-Covid-Safe-Policy-2022.pdf

Safety measures will be in place to ensure the safety and well-being of all our guests, performers and team. You can view each of our Resort Hotels current Covid-19 safety measures & policies here;

www.altontowers.com/plan-your-visit/coronavirus/
www.devere.co.uk/wellbeing/
www.celtic-manor.com/about-your-stay

Booking Cancellation Policy

What if you wish to cancel or postpone your booking upto 10-weeks prior to your break

Upto 10-weeks prior to your confirmed break we are more than happy to offer you a transfer to any of our 2022 Dancing With The Stars Weekends, subject to availability.

There would be a small £25pp administration fee to cover the administration involved in your booking transfer.

If you did wish to cancel your booking, the cancellation fee would be the £100pp non-returnable deposit.

What if you wish to cancel or postpone your booking from 10-weeks prior to your break

100% cancellation charge would apply.

What if your break can go ahead, but as a result of Self-Isolation or Local Government Restrictions you are unable to join us?

Donahey’s are organising a Weekend Leisure Break with limited places available.

To maintain the commercial viability of running our Weekend Breaks with the Strictly Stars and the enormous costs associated with putting on these breaks, unfortunately we are unable to offer refunds or postponement if guests become unable to travel due to Covid-19 and the Weekend Break is still able to go ahead under national & local guidelines. This would become a matter for guests personal Travel Insurance.

If the government imposes restrictions that prevent you from travelling, and the Weekend Break is still able to go ahead under national & local guidelines, this would become a matter for your personal travel insurance.

At 10-weeks prior bedrooms are directly contracted with the Resort Hotel and paid for in full on your behalf, which is our contractual obligation to the Resort Hotels. Unfortunately we would be unable to replace your booking at such short notice.

Personal Travel Insurance policies which includes additional Covid Protection are now available at relatively low cost.

StaySure, LV, AA & CoverForYou offer extensive policies. Donahey’s recommends an online search or call to your preferred Travel Insurance provider to discuss your requirements and confirm you are happy with the inclusive Covid cover they offer.

Examples would include but are not limited too;

• A Positive Covid Test
• Feeling Unwell
• Covid Symptoms
• Local travel restrictions
• Quarantine restrictions
• Self Isolation requirements

If you already have an annual travel insurance policy, please confirm with your provider they have included Covid Protection cover.

In line with most UK holiday operators, Donahey’s requires guests take out appropriate UK Travel Insurance which covers cancellation due to Covid-19.

For such a low price and your added peace of mind, we strongly advise taking out this protection. Many holiday operators are offering this enhanced Covid Protection cover at an add-on price, unfortunately Donahey’s is not licenced to sell Insurance Policies, and are therefore unable to offer this additional paid for cover, our apologies.

What if your Dancing With The Stars Weekend cannot go ahead?

Should our Dancing With The Stars Weekend be postponed due to local or national Covid-19 restrictions affecting the resort hotels locality, we will offer you a no cost transfer to the following years Dancing With The Stars Weekend at the same venue, over the same weekend next year.

You may instead choose to switch to a different weekend or venue the following year – the choice is yours.

Alternatively, if the postponed dates don’t work for you we will offer you a full & immediate refund less a booking fee towards the direct costs incurred with your booking.

We would of course love you to continue to enjoy looking forward to spending a weekend with the Strictly Stars, so all 2023 supplier cost increases will be absorbed on postponed bookings.

Covid Secure Policy – Updated 10th May 2022

Please be assured Donahey’s number one priority is our pupils & teachers safety, and to this end we will always be following the latest UK government guidelines and regulations.

Donahey’s continue to work in partnership with our venue management teams towards delivering you safe & enjoyable dance lessons.

Our Plymouth & Kingsbridge weekly lessons are now open, lessons are restricted in numbers and pre-booking is essential.

Donahey’s Dance School – Covid-19 Secure Policy & Risk Assessment

Pre-opening
Hall inspected to ensure clean and ready for lesson
Windows & doors opened for fresh air ventilation during the lessons.
Contactless registration desk set-up

Pre-Attendance
Symptoms which won’t be accepted at the lesson include a high temperature, a new and continuous cough, and sudden loss of taste or smell. More information can be found here on the NHS website www.nhs.uk/conditions/coronavirus-covid-19/symptoms/main-symptoms/
If pupils have symptoms, test positive for COVID-19 or have been in direct contact with an infected person they should not attend.

Pupil Arrival
Pupils should arrive through the main entrance and proceed one-way into the hall.
Pupils should enter the building on-time for their session and arrive no earlier to avoid congestion.
Pupils should arrive changed and ready to dance with minimal additional belongings. Any personal belongings should be placed in a bag.
Strictly no spectators
Strictly no food to be brought onto the premises, one drink per person.
All Pupils should observe current UK Government Respiratory guidelines ‘Catch It, Bin It, Kill It’

Check-In
Pupils should be spaced apart for check-in.
Only pre-registered pupils with; Name, Telephone number and Email address admitted.
Pupils must pay in advance of attendance, or use contactless payment upon arrival.
Pupils should hand sanitiser at check-in.

Lessons
Our lesson planning has been reorganised to limit class size, offer increased distance based on the relevant range of movement and based on cubic meters of each hall (length x width x ceiling height)
A verbal safety warning & social distancing advisory by the teacher at the beginning of each class
No changing partners
Customers encouraged to use hand sanitisers during the lesson.
Toilet use should be kept to a minimum and strictly limited to one person at a time.

Pupil Departure
Pupils should leave one-way out of the hall, directly through the fire-exit door.
Pupils should not loiter in groups outside following the lesson

Teachers
All teachers issued & trained with Donahey’s Covid-19 Safe Policies
All teachers & Assistants take a Lateral Flow Test prior to the start of each shift.
No teachers to dance with pupils.
Teachers and Customers are to limit face to face working and physical contact work
Teachers should avoid raising their voices, where possible teachers to use Headset Mic to avoid shouting.
Music played at a lower level to prevent shouting.

Accident or Emergency
In an emergency, for example, an accident, provision of first aid or fire, people do not have to stay appropriately distanced if it would be unsafe.
People involved in the provision of assistance to others should pay particular attention to sanitation measures immediately afterwards including washing hands & hand sanitisation.
PPE equipment available for designated first aiders.

Additional Information
All Pupils will receive notification of our health and safety procedures by Email prior to arrival.
This health and Safety document has been expanded from our usual Health and Safety plan and has been created in line with the UK governments guidance on the return of grassroots sport & Coronavirus guidance;

https://www.gov.uk/guidance/working-safely-during-coronavirus-covid-19/providers-of-grassroots-sport-and-gym-leisure-facilities

Donahey’s continue to monitor & follow all UK Government guidelines in relation to our dance lessons.

Prepared by: Paul Donaghey
Date of risk assessment: 9th September 2020
Risk Assessment Updated: 8th October 2020, 20th October 2020, 27th November 2020, 2nd December 2020, 11th May 2021, 8th June 2021, 5th August 2021, 21st September 2021, 25th November 2021, 11th January 2022, 22nd February 2022, 9th May 2022
Next review due date: 1st July 2022 or sooner as new legislation or UK Government Guidance is issued.

Copyright © 2022 Donahey’s Dance School. All Rights Reserved

Refund Policy

Donahey’s are organising ‘Dance Lessons’ with limited places available, plus due to social distancing requirements we have even fewer places available.

To maintain the commercial viability of running those dance lessons, unfortunately we are unable to offer refunds or postponement if guests become unable to attend due to Covid-19, or any other reason, and the dance lesson is still able to go ahead under national & local guidelines.

Unfortunately we would be unable to replace your booking at such short notice.

Learn To Dance In A Day
Should one of our Learn To Dance In A Day’s be postponed due to local or national Covid-19 restrictions, we will offer you a no cost transfer to the postponed Dance In A Day at the same venue. Or you may choose to switch to a different weekend or venue the following year – the choice is yours.
Alternatively, if the postponed date doesn’t work for you we will offer you a full & immediate refund less a small booking fee.

Updated 1st October 2021

Strictly Come Dancing live studio audience is back

Strictly is back for another series and with it a live studio audience

The BBC show had to go ahead without the audience last year but for 2021 the audience is back – and you can be in it.

Packed full of glitz, glamour, show-stopping moves and more sequins than ever before, the fabulous 19th series of Strictly Come Dancing is putting the sparkle back into our Saturday nights;

The show will once again come live from Elstree Film and Television Studios, with a star-studded line-up including Olympian Adam Peaty, McFly’s Tom Fletcher and Dragon’s Den star Sara Davies.

The live studio audience will have a front row seat to the 19th series hosted by the very talented and glamorous Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman.

Join the Strictly Stars – 5* Weekend Break

Spend the weekend with your favourite stars of Strictly Come Dancing at the stunning 5* Celtic Manor Resort in South Wales.

Join Strictly Head Judge Shirley Ballas, Aljaz Skorjanec & Janette Manrara, Katya & Neil Jones, Amy Dowden & Ben Jones, British National & World Ballroom Champions Warren & Kristi Boyce, plus Argentine Tango stars Leandro Palou & Maria Tsiatsiani for an unforgettable weekend break.

How To Get Strictly Audience Tickets

As in previous year’s there is a random draw for tickets to make the allocation as fair as possible and you can apply now.

Due to Covid guidelines there will be limited space so tickets will be allocated to groups of four, allowing you to come along as a family bubble / household group. Seating will be at cabaret tables and in balcony seating.

The show will be filmed every Saturday at Elstree Studios from Saturday 11th September 2021 until the Grand Final on Saturday 18th December 2021.

Applications have now closed for the 2021 audience. Make a note in your diary for around the 3rd week in August in 2022 to apply for your 2022 tickets.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/showsandtours/shows/strictly-come-dancing-2021

5* Weekend Breaks with the Stars of BBC Strictly Come Dancing

If you can’t get hold of Strictly audience tickets, what’s the next best thing? If not a little better?

Donahey’s Dancing With The Stars Weekends – You too can watch all the Strictly stars perform up close and personal, plus you could learn to dance with these professional stars.

Fri 4th – Sun 6th March 2022
4* Alton Towers Hotel & Spa
Staffordshire

Join Aljaz Skorjanec & Janette Manrara, Giovanni Pernice, Gorka Marquez & Karen Hauer for an unforgettable weekend break.

Fri 22nd – Sun 24th April 2022
5* Celtic Manor Resort Hotel
Newport, South Wales

Join Aljaz Skorjanec & Janette Manrara, Anton Du Beke & Erin Boag, Ian Waite plus many more of your favourite stars of Strictly Come Dancing for an unforgettable weekend break.

Fri 13th – Sun 15th May 2022
5* Celtic Manor Resort Hotel
Newport, South Wales

Join Strictly Head Judge Shirley Ballas, Aljaz Skorjanec & Janette Manrara, Giovanni Pernice plus more Strictly Stars for an unforgettable weekend break.

Google Reviews & Recommendations

Donaheys Dancing With The Stars Weekend

5.0

Based on 110 reviews

See all reviews

This was our first time at one of Donaheys dancing with the stars weekends and it was fabulous, so much so that we have booked again for next year. Thanks to all the team for all your hard work.

Tony Bladen

20:11 29 Apr 22

Very well organised, friendly welcomes throughout the weekend. Accommodation lovely, food lovely too.The workshops, on the whole, were excellent.... one was a bit disappointing but only because it was way above our level...Watching the pros was breathtaking, I loved the showcases and being taught by them was wonderful....We've booked already for next year, that tells you how good it was!!

claire collinson

18:07 29 Apr 22

For anyone who loves Strictly, whether you can dance or not, this is a weekend for you. Everyone is there to enjoy themselves.I have just enjoyed the weekend at the Celtic Manor Hotel and from the moment of arrival I entered a world of dance and the outside world disappeared. My first workshop was with Jeanette and Alijah in a group of similar standard people followed by a wonderful evening meal buffet and showcase. All of the professionals were clearly happy to be there and very entertaining. It was amazing to be so involved with them. Saturday and Sunday had great programs, there were tears, awe and laughter from the shows to getting steps wrong in the ballroom. It didn't matter because we all love dance.The whole weekend was wonderfully paced very professional. The Donahey's staff were always available to help and wearing a smile. They were an incredible team of people and it was evident how loved and respected the team are amongst the dance community.I was so impressed at how well the event is organised for so many people. Congratulations Donahey's and if you have got this far reading my review....do not hesitate....book it!

Wendy Godden

05:48 28 Apr 22

Can I just say a massive thank you for the best weekend. I was bought this as a 50th birthday present by my husband which was 18 months ago now. My best friend and myself spent this weekend with you guys at Celtic Manor and wow, what a weekend. We have met some lovely people who we will now keep in touch with and hope to meet again next year at the same venue. All of the hotel and donaheys staff were lovely, friendly and helpful. I appreciate how much work these weekends take by everyone concerned and I can honestly say I wouldn't change anything, you do an amazing and wonderful job to put on such an event. This is also the first time I've witnessed dancing in an actual ballroom and its so much better than watching on the TV. We even bumped into a couple of the strictly stars at our evening meal and they were more than happy to have a chat. I could go on and on about my experience, it really was fab u lous. So once again, thank you so much for making one of my dreams come true xxx

Michelle

20:45 27 Apr 22

We had a truly "fab-u-lous" weekend at The Celtic Manor last weekend. This was our 1st Donaheys weekend - & we've already booked for next year! The Donahays team were friendly & helpful and the line-up of stars was extraordinary. Feel very priviledged to have the opportunity to learn from and watch such amazing dancers. Thank you.

Jacqui Bell

17:20 27 Apr 22

Just back from another Dancing with the Stars weekend. My fifth!!!! Yet another fantastic weekend. They don't get any better for non stop dancing and entertainment. Already booked for next year!!!!

David Wares

07:36 27 Apr 22

Ali King

05:49 27 Apr 22

Another fantastic weekend at Celtic Manor Resort with Donaheys. Our 8th year going to one of these Dancing With The Stars weekends ... the dance lessons are great (and not just those with Strictly pros), the evening shows, the live band, the friendly Donaheys staff and the professionalism of the whole event. First class. Whether you are interested in the dance lessons, the exhibitions, or just a weekend away without the kids, you wont be disappointed!

Darren Douch

18:41 26 Apr 22

We’ve just returned from our first Dancing with the Stars weekend at Celtic Manor and it was just brilliant. The organisation was amazing, especially given the number of people attending. Everything ran like clockwork from check in to departure. The weekend was better than we ever imagined it could be. Our friends had suggested the weekend so we decided to have a few lessons at our local dance school prior to coming so that we could enjoy the dancing from the first night. As a result we discovered that we absolutely love it and our new hobby is entirely down to booking this weekend. Our friends have now booked classes too so we can all enjoy every dancing minute next year (we’ve re-booked already!) We were amazed to discover that this is a totally family-run event. So professional and the programme was just brilliant. Their evident hard work made for a wonderful weekend for us. The hotel was a perfect venue and we didn’t stop smiling all weekend. There was a perfect balance of lessons, shows and time to dance. So many highlights. We absolutely can’t wait to do it again!

Tracy Hall

15:56 26 Apr 22

What an amazing weekend , highly highly recommend.Amazingly organised by a wonderful team of people.So much fun, who doesn't love getting dressed up!Dancers were absolutely breathtaking and can't wait to book up again . Thank you Donaheys

Sarah Hope

09:05 26 Apr 22

What a weekend we have just had at the Celtic Manor, Dancing with the Stars and the Donaheys Team!!! Totally blown away by Jowita Przystal and Michael Danilczuk's performance, they were absolutely amazing. Warren & Kristi Boyce along with Glenn & Carly showed yet again why they are at the top of the game. Great workshops, full of fun and laughter as well as top tips and some new dance moves. Hotel really good, service and food excellent. Thanks for the great weekend from Team Donahey once again!!!!

Simon Nicholson

10:22 25 Apr 22

Another fabulous dancing with the stars weekend. Paul and the whole team are amazing, kind, courteous and helpful.We had lots of wonderful workshops including from the stars of strictly and competitive dancers. The evening showcases were out of this world and it was great to dance again. We've already booked our next one and can't wait. Thanks so much Donaheys. Highly recommended xx

Julie Sears

17:26 24 Apr 22

Another fabulous weekend spent with Donaheys. Everything is so well organised and thoroughly enjoyable. The dance tuition and the spectacular shows are second to none. We’ve already booked our places for next year. Thank you to everyone at Donaheys for making the weekend so special.

Susan Neicho

19:33 02 Apr 22

One of the best things I have done with a very reluctant husband. Both of us real beginners who went to our lessons with two left feet. Can you imagine having lessons with your strictly favourites we did and although the left feet came into operation on several occasions lessons were fun. My reluctant husband had booked for 2023 think this must say it all. Well done Donaheys for bringing dance into our lives.

Anita Wallace

11:20 02 Apr 22

We had an amazing time. Fantastic event and super shows. Workshops were all fun and interesting. Especially with Anton - funny guy! But all the stars were clearly enjoying it and were very humble and charming. Hotel was nice, maybe the same menu two nights running was a little disappointing but that was the only minus. We met some lovely people during the evenings and have booked again for Celtic Manor next April, where we have planned to meet up with them again. All in all, we could not have asked for a better experience with Donaheys and, of course, all of the professional and amateur instructors and performers. Superb!

Jim Wood-Snelling

10:50 02 Apr 22

Wow what a wonderful weekend, Paul and team were always on hand if you needed them, they are friendly and a real depth of dance knowledge. Our workshop with Anton and Erin was fabulous as was their showtime showcase. Its such a joy to be able to have this opportunity. They not only catered for my husband who has a little dance experience but also me with 27 years, I even learnt the Charleston. We look forward to our next dancing with the stars weekend. Highly recommended . Thank you Donaheys 😊

Julie Sears

19:55 01 Apr 22

First timers at this event and we loved it!! The timetable was very well thought out, the lessons were brilliant and we loved the stars! The accommodation was superb, rooms beautifully decorated, comfortable and modern with an old fashioned stately home feel. The main hotel decor was lovely too, food was as excellent although the bar staff were young, inexperienced and inattentive which was a shame. Overall the weekend was well run by the Donaheys staff who couldn’t have been more friendly or helpful. We’ve booked again for next year!

Laura McWhinnie

19:22 01 Apr 22

A wonderful experience! Great dance workshops with incredibly knowledgeable and capable teachers…who also know how to make it fun too! Superb dance showcases throughout. Great location with Windsor so close. We had a fabulous time there and will definitely be going again!

Ian Fuller

10:14 01 Apr 22

Sheer delight. Donaheys' Strictly weekends are exceptional: close to the astonishing dancers, brilliant workshops from them and wonderful opportunities to dance the weekend away. Don'y miss them.

Kevin Horlock

09:53 31 Mar 22

Great weekend. The Donaheys team are all very friendly and very helpful, every effort was towards making sure that every guest had an amazing time and it showed. In terms of the workshops, it was really easy to take part for a pure beginner and great fun. Despite the coaches being some of the best in the business, it was presented at a level we could understand and yet they didn't talk down to us. If you're thinking about booking one of these do it, you won't regret it. We've just booked another next year!

Dive Academy

18:33 29 Mar 22

Totally speechless!Excellent showcases 🤩🤩🤩🤩🤩, amazing workshops and Donaheys staff are superb!!We've booked straight up for next year ( 4th time )Keeeeep dancin'Thank you Paul for the best weekend ever!

Jo Burns

09:07 29 Mar 22

Always wanted to see the professional dancers of strictly and decided to book the weekend with a very reluctant husband. I cannot thank Donaheys enough for the most fabulous weekend. Although we both don't dance managed to laugh trying to learn. Thanks to Erin, Anton, Aljaz, Janette, Gorka and Karen for the fun and patience we are coming next year.

Anita Wallace

21:15 28 Mar 22

OMG…..WOW…What a weekend! Dancing lessons with Strictly Stars in a beautiful venue, evenings to dress up and show off your new moves, amazing showcases preformed by truly awesome dancers. Donaheys staff are fabulous, always friendly and so helpful. Thank you to all involved for such a well organised fantastic event for all levels of dancers from beginners to advanced. I can’t wait to do it again, already booked in for next year!

Korin Stoner

11:02 28 Mar 22

Donaheys weekends are amazing! The team are so welcoming, helpful, fun and professional. The weekend is packed full and extremely good value for money. There is just no question that we book again before we leave for the next year! Thank you all for another brilliant weekend. Lisa & Graham

graham dowley

19:01 27 Mar 22

A truly wonderful weekend. Dance lessons with the professional dancers a true delight. The shows and professional attention to detail a tribute to Donnahey’s organisational abilities. We wined, dined, danced and made some incredible new friends. So no hesitation in recommending these events so much so we have already booked for next year.

paul griffiths

13:53 27 Mar 22

What a stunning weekend of dance! After two years away Donaheys Dancing with the Stars Weekends were back and how! As always the Donahey's weekend at Alton Towers was so professionally organised with Strictly dance stars doing master classes and amazing shows. We all had the opportunity to dance in the superb ballroom and to live music. Thoroughly recommended and we'll definitely be back next year.

Tracy Evans

15:43 15 Mar 22

Kim Chapman

19:54 08 Mar 22

Pasquale Di Nardi

16:43 08 Mar 22

Stuart Ashworth

16:16 08 Mar 22

Anthoney Strowger

14:27 08 Mar 22

Katie Bostock

13:58 08 Mar 22

Just back from what was the most incredible weekend. My face aches from smiling. The event Donahey’s lay on for their guests is second to none. I agree initially the amount sounds like a lot of money but boy is it worth it. The dance lessons are fun and informative. The strictly pro’s treat you like friends. The Friday night dancing was amazing and Saturday night was just outstanding. The showcases from the pro’s will blow your mind. Honestly the best weekend I have ever had (except my wedding weekend). Only criticism for us was the hotel standard(Alton Towers) wasn’t great and food not the best but it in no way took away the weekend enjoyment. I have booked for Celtic Manor next year and am already excited. Massive thank you to Paul, Amy, Shirley and Team for all the fun and looking after us ❤️ also met some amazing people

Sam Ramsey

13:57 08 Mar 22

John Bruce

12:34 08 Mar 22

My mum and I attended the Alton towers weekend for the first time and immediately booked back up for next year! It was amazing and felt a real privilege to be able to have lessons from the strictly pros and the other wonderful dance teachers. The showcases were absolutely fabulous. All in all, very well organised and such a special treat, would highly recommend

Wendy Ryder

12:16 08 Mar 22

Chanelle Finch

12:04 08 Mar 22

The Donahey's Dancing With The Stars Weekends are Fab-U-Lous.The organisation is second to none, every little detail has been thought of and the Donahey's staff do everything to make your weekend enjoyable.Seven hours of dance workshops with Top Class teachers (including the Strictly Stars). Plenty of time to practise and then Dancing through the night in the Stateroom Ballroom.The Show Dances from The Strictly Stars and the other Professionals are worth it on their own.We've already booked next year and looking forward to itTrevor & Brenda

Trevor Cooke

12:58 12 Mar 20

The whole weekend was amazing from start to finish. The organisation is superb and the people are all so friendly. When you break down what you get it really is value for money. This is an event to look forward to year after year.

Kerry Garner (Oldfleet)

18:06 11 Mar 20

Just back from a stunning weekend at Alton Towers Dancing with the Stars! The whole experience was fabulous from start to finish. The communication from Donaheys before, during and after the event was good. The organisation of the workshops was superb...we were in the improvers group ...each one pitched perfectly for the ability level and the teaching was great. Obviously the Strictly stars were lovely as expected, but also the world champions and the Donaheys staff were terrific. We have fallen in love again with Argentine Tango particularly. The showcase dances were spectacular every time, breathtaking performances in a cabaret setting. The Donaheys team were always on hand to offer support and guidance both on and off the dance floor and the hotel staff were friendly and accommodating. We loved dancing to the band on Saturday night!By the end of the weekend we were exhausted....in a good way! Thank heavens for the on line workshop reminders, as we did so much our recollection of all the steps is a bit hazy! We needed no nudging to book again for next year before we left. Many thanks and best wishes to all the team.

Dee Desgranges

14:48 11 Mar 20

Just back from a FAB-U-LOUS weekend at Alton Towers Resort Hotel.Is the first time we have ever been to an event like this, infact, its the first time my other half and I have ever danced!Everything was organised to a tee, the workshops, the showcases and the evening events.The Donaheys staff were on hand throughout the weekend to assist in anyway and they were so helpful and not at all judgemental as we had never danced a steep before!The only fault in the whole weekend, and it is NOT related to Donaheys. We the lighting in the bedrooms and bathrooms. It was so incredibly dim that it was a struggle to put make up on! Not sure how anyone would manage if they had to take medication. But, this was NOT a fault on Donaheys and it didn't stop us from having an amazing weekend.

Wendy McLaughlan

13:01 11 Mar 20

First time here, what an absolutely fantastic amazing weekend, Melanie & I loved it... and our first time having dance lessons!!! If you love dancing you will love these weekends!!!Everyone is so friendly & helpful. We have already booked for next year, fingers crossed as better dancers. Xx

lyndon holt

14:23 10 Mar 20

We have just come back from Celtic Manor, another Donahey’s fabulous ‘Dancing With The Stars’ weekend. The personal enthusiasm and love of dance by these Stars is infectious and their willingness to share all they know to help each one of us improve our dance and love of dance so unselfishly is truly humbling and hugely appreciated.Paul, Shirley and Amy Donahey and their team have been organising these weekends for over 50 years and are going from strength to strength with immaculate organisation at every stage. A Dance on Friday night and a Ball on Saturday night with a Live band to practise your skills. Also, exceptional show dances by the Stars as part of the evenings. How often do we have these opportunities?Be truly inspired by Strictly and World professionals and have Work Shops with them. Wonderful weekends, this is our third and we have already booked another. Unsurpassed in terms of getting along side the professionals whether you are a beginner or already have dance experience.If you are looking to learn or improve your Dancing a Donahey’s weekend is definitely for you.Highly recommended.Bob & Sue.

Bob Evans

08:20 17 Jul 19

My wife and I were a little apprehensive about our dance weekend (we were seriously in the beginner category!) but the whole experience was amazing from start to finish. The venue was magnificent, the DONAHEYS team were brilliant, with the whole thing organised to run like a Swiss watch. The teachers were great and all the lessons were delivered with enthusiasm and patience to a group of people who occasionally struggle to remember left and right, and as for the showcases, there is nothing to say except WOW! They had to be seen to be believed. Thank you so much Paul, Shirley and Amy, and the whole team. We are booked in for a local dance lesson tomorrow, so we've well and truly caught the bug to move from armchair dance fans to enthusiastic amateurs! We will definitely be returning to a DONAHEYS weekend again in the future.

giles larkins

10:16 13 Jul 19

First time we have attended this event run by the Donahey’s team, have to say it was not what we expected. The show dances alone was worth the cost, spectacular performances from every dancer.The accommodation and meals provided at Celtic Manor was also first class. Our room was good, plenty big enough and clean.Special mention goes to Paul, Shirley and all of the Donahey’s team, who assisted our “beginners”group throughout the workshops and in the evening when you ventured out onto the dance floor, providing advice and demonstrating the steps you had been taught earlier but had forgotten!Wonderful weekend, full on, we have booked again for next year.We have also been inspired to seek out a local dance club to continue dancing.

Ian Bodell

07:41 11 Jul 19

This is our third year with Paul and the team and the weekends just get better every time! Celtic Manor was the most wonderful venue to stage such a great experience.The team are always well organised and welcoming. We moved up to ‘blue bands’ this time so we’re a little bit nervous but we had absolutely no need to be. Each workshop was tailored perfectly. The Strictly stars were of course fantastic in their workshops and showcases but all the workshops are.We have already booked for next year and look forward to it immensely- we’ll done team and thank you all so much - again!

Kathy Hardy

05:05 10 Jul 19

We have just returned from a lovely weekend at the Celtic Manor. We met up with several couples from our local dance school with differing levels of experience. The Friday evening started with a lovely meal followed by a waltz workshop with Anton and Erin, a very nice routine.Saturdays highlight was a workshop with Neil and Katya, a bonkers cha cha routine we loved. The evenings show dance finished with everyone on the dance floor with them both doing Gangnam Style, wow.Oti was tasked with a rumba workshop. This is one dance where technique is so important. This was very well demonstrated and one of my favourites to dance.Janette and Aljaz took a slightly different angle with their slow foxtrot workshop. Plenty of technique in a useful routine. This was great to see, slow foxtrot requires a smooth style and the couples all looking fabulous at the end of it. The following show dance was brilliant with a great mix of styles.A special mention to the pro dancers Argo Oblikas & Alessia D’Orazi helping in the workshops. They were brilliant, I even had a little cha cha with Alessia which was really helpful.I would highly recommend this weekend for beginners in particular as it gives a good introduction to ballroom dancing with workshops and shows, and the chance to see the Strictly stars too. It's a hard working team too that make it a very fun weekend.

Andy Walker

16:44 09 Jul 19

What another fantastic weekend at Celtic the Donaheys are really fabulous nothing is too much trouble it was our second visit there and we have already booked for next year at Windsor I would like to say a big thank you to Paul and the family and in particular Tracy from the team she was fantastic to me can't wait for March keep dancing x

Kim Crilly

19:04 08 Jul 19

We first did a Donaheys weekend five years ago, with just 4 of us. This year we were a group of 10 and we’ve already booked next year with 12!!!! It is without doubt, the best dance weekend ever and we can’t wait for 2020, to do it all again. The team are amazing and Paul, Amy & Shirley give 100% to ensure the event is unforgettable. Thank you all.

Roberta mott

18:24 08 Jul 19

Everything about this weekend was first class, well planned and executed. So much fun and the opportunity to be taught by the Strictly professionals and other amazing dancers was wonderful. I’d thoroughly recommend it and can’t wait to go again

Gillian Logan

16:23 08 Jul 19

Wow! what a weekend. Fabulous stay at the Celtic Manor Hotel, absolutely huge. The workshops with the stars were so easy to learn a routine and take away with you. We looked forward to seeing the professionals in action, but were totally blown away. The choreography that went into Neil & Katya’s showcase was exceptional. The dance with Warren, Kristi, Glenn & Coraly brought tears to our eyes, so moving. But for me the dance workshop with Alijaz left me drooling 😘. Don’t remember much about the dance but his personality and gorgeous smile has definitely made him my favourite. Their show dances were fantastic as the finale to the weekend.The whole event is suitable for all levels of dancers, from the very beginner up to the more advanced. Everyone fitted in together and there was plenty of room over the two dance floors to practice their new moves.

Tracey Spafford

10:02 08 Jul 19

The first one we attended was in April and it was a whole new magical experience. The July one this weekend was also wonderful. Value for money is an understatement. Paul and the Donaheys team are such lovely hosts. The Workshops are extremely good and the Showcases are simply out of this world. A very well organised event in a marvelous setting. Tears of joy and happiness awaits everyone. Tom and Tracey

Tom Shevy

07:56 08 Jul 19

What a fantastic weekend! Fun packed, entertaining with lovely like minded people, and a chance to meet and dance with the Strictly Stars! The weekend is well thought out and planned, and the Donaheys Team work tirelessly to ensure everyone has a great time - so good we have booked for next year!

Max Jones

08:54 24 Jun 19

We are still on cloud 9 a week after this amazing experience. From the very start Donaheys were so professional and organised with such precision to detail for every aspect of the weekend. The communication throughout was exceptional this weekend was amazing with the dancing lessons and the show cases in the evenings the strictly professionals close up in their showcases was breathtaking and to be able to dance to a live band was sensational . We can honestly say it is just brilliant and we have booked to return again next year and we cannot wait Gail and Karl Ballance

gail ballance

19:54 23 Jun 19

We have just returned from an amazing weekend Dancing with the Stars at De Vere Beaumont Estate in Windsor. The classes were brilliant and the showcases from all the professionals were out of this world, to see them dance up close in that way was fantastic. Paul and the team were great and looked after everyone really well, it was so well organised from beginning to end. We can't wait to do it all again next year at Celtic Manor. Thank you so much Donaheys!

Lou Etherington

20:23 18 Jun 19

An amazing dancing with the stars weekend. Superb organisation, brilliant workshops and breathtaking showcases. Everything was so enjoyable. For anyone who loves dance they need to experience a Donaheys weekend. Thank you to the whole team

Jenna Richards

19:28 17 Jun 19

1st time at Donaheys Dancing with the Stars.WOW what a fantastic weekend. With workshops for all levels of dance whether you are a non dancerjust a beginner or advanced theirs something for everyone. Meet your strictly stars and watch the amazing shows they will blow your away. The whole weekend is very organised by the whole team and always around to help nothing is to much trouble.ABSOLUTELY FAB EXPERIENCE GO ON BOOK IT, YOU WONT BE DISAPPOINTED DO IT.R&A

roger griss

18:15 17 Jun 19

We absolutely loved our weekend with Donaheys, the staff, the hotel, the celebrities and our table friends were all fabulous, and although I concede I am clearly not a natural ballroom dancer, we have had a real blast, Thank You to all x

Kate Greenwood

17:57 17 Jun 19

Spent last weekend at Windsor Dancing With The Stars with Donaheys ,if you love dancing and making new friends there is no better place,friendly ,exciting,and lots or fun , lots of love John and Tracy Daly.

John Daly

13:19 17 Jun 19

What a totally fabulous weekend. All the strictly stars, showcases, classes were wonderful. Ballroom looked lovely and to dance in there was wonderful. The event is run with precision by the Donahey's Team. They are all friendly, helpful and happy to answer any questions you have.A well deserved 5* and I have already booked to return next year. Thank you Team Donahey!

Anita Cadogan

12:02 17 Jun 19

ingrid day

12:08 12 May 19

Amazing weekend! So good we have already booked for the same one next year! The Donahey’s team work amazingly hard to ensure everything goes smoothly, and it is so very well organised. The stars are brilliant, both in their showcase dances and especially their teaching, explaining everything so well you can’t fail to pick up the routines! Bring on next year when we hope to learn even more!!

David Hartley

07:29 12 May 19

Another fabulous weekend with Donaheys. Smooth organisation, beautiful venue and wonderful dancing, let alone the terrific teachers. Booked again for next year and we can't wait to go back. John & Miriam

Dr John Dennehy

09:24 10 May 19

Carol McAllister

10:47 03 May 19

A huge Thank You to Paul and the whole Donaheys team. Just back from an amazing experience at Celtic Manor. The organisation, the workshops and the showcase evenings where truly spectacular. We enjoyed every minute. The hotel and staff are first class.All the strictly stars, professionals and experienced teachers made the workshops interesting, challenging and fun. we came away with new steps from each of them. Already booked for next year. The weekend is good value for money, and worth every penny. We enjoyed it so much we extended our stay. You have a fantastic team working with you. Well done to all of them and again THANK YOU.

Deborah Lisle

19:39 02 May 19

We have just arrived home after a weekend with the stars at Celtic Manor Resort. Was our first time and as absolute beginners. Such an amazing few days. Everybody was so friendly and helpful.. The lessons with the professionals were good fun, and the interaction was fab. The showcases were stunning, one particular dance had me in tears. was fantastic to see the dancing so close up. We enjoyed putting our new found routines to practise on the dance floor both Friday and Saturday evening, especially Saturday at The Ball. Dancing to a live band was amazing. We did not want to come home on the Sunday. We have rebooked for next year at Windsor as closer to home.Great job Donaheys. No doubt our friends will be sick of us raving about this weekend but I cannot recommend it enough.FAB-U-LOUS DARLING. X

Angela Bedborough

17:45 01 May 19

We loved every moment of our first Dancing with the Stars Weekend at the superb Celtic Manor Hotel, Newport.Being taught by the Strictly Stars and World Champion dancers was a fabulous experience, and watching them showcase their own dances was breathtaking, as they glided around the amazing ballroom.The whole weekend was beautifully organised by Paul, Amy, Shirley and the team and Vicky was such a help to us too.A truly memorable weekend !

Elaine Keith-Hill

13:33 01 May 19

Just returned from our second Donaheys weekend dancing with the professional from strictly . Can not fault anything.....from the hotel (Celic Manor), the food, the service, the Donaheys team and of course the pros from strictly. AMAZING .......The workshops were great fun, we managed well even though we're more ballroom ( sequence ) than Latin but the pros had the routines well planned.Re-booked immediately for next year at Beuamont Grange 💃🎶💃🎶💃🎶Keeeeeeep Dancing

Jo Burns

10:25 01 May 19

Brilliant weekend yet again. So good I had already booked to go back twice this year. Atmosphere, lessons and the show dances by Strictly stars are outstanding. Already booked again for next year.

David Wares

07:34 01 May 19

Another fabulous Donahey's Dancing with the Stars weekend. The Workshops led by the Strictly Stars and Championship dancers were entertaining and informative and the showcases were amazing. We attended Alton Towers last year, which we enjoyed tremendously, but this was our first time at the Celtic Manor and have to say that this venue, food and staff were all first rate. The hotel was easy to navigate and nothing was too much trouble. The Donahey's team are so friendly and helpful. Our weekend was superb and was well worth the outlay and journey. We would like to say a very big "thank you" to Paul and his team for all the hard work before and during the weekend to create a smooth running and enjoyable event. Just need to keep practicing all the new steps we have been taught. Congratulations on another excellent weekend. See you all next year!! Colin & Maureen Barker

Maureen Barker

15:34 30 Apr 19

Another fabulous Donahey's Dancing with the Stars weekend. The Workshops led by the Strictly Stars and Championship dancers were entertaining and informative and the showcases were amazing. We attended Alton Towers last year, which we enjoyed tremendously, but this was our first time at the Celtic Manor and have to say that this venue, food and staff were all first rate. The hotel was easy to navigate and nothing was too much trouble. The Donahey's team are so friendly and helpful. Our weekend was superb and was well worth the outlay and journey. We would like to say a very big "thank you" to Paul and his team for all the hard work before and during the weekend to create a smooth running and enjoyable event. Just need to keep practicing all the new steps we have been taught. Congratulations on another excellent weekend. See you all next year!!

Maureen Barker

15:01 30 Apr 19

Our first Dancing with the Stars weekend, it was fab-u-lous. As absolute beginners we are leaving with the basic steps for Foxtrot, Waltz, Cha Cha, Argentine tango, Rumba, Quickstep and Jive. Now we just have to Keep Dancing!

Yvonne Naish

10:18 28 Apr 19

It was a really good weekend that we thoroughly enjoyed. It was well organised and kept you going with just about enough breaks. The show cases were excellent and some of the stars were well prepared to talk to the audience during the change over times. A highly recommended weekend for dance lovers.

alan mcclellan

14:41 09 Apr 19

This was a truly spectacular weekend.Donaheys and Alton Towers were extremely organised and everything ran smoothly.The dance classes were excellent (though we struggled with the Argentine Tango).Dancing with the Strictly Stars was amazing. All of the stars were so friendly and excellent teachers.However, a special shout out is required for Tony Bennett who took the Samba and Tango classes. What a fabulous teacher. I would pay for a weekend of lessons just with him.The three shows were breathtaking. The price paid for the weekend would be worth it for the shows alone.The weekend was a wonderful experience and I would highly recommend to dancers of any level.Thanks to Donaheys!

Sarah Brian

18:27 18 Mar 19

This was our 4th Donaheys weekend and the 3rd atthe Alton Towers resort.Over the years we have been fortunate to have been to some excellent workshops, but this has to be the best year yet.Equally, we’ve previously been able to provide some constructive feedback for the resort, but NOT THIS YEAR. Truly excellent all round.Alton Towers staff very professional on check in and in the restaurant. Check out was seamless, just dropping off the room keys.Car park better marked out.Food in the restaurant even better than previous years. ALWAYS had gluten free options available.7 dance classes over Friday, Saturday and Sunday, in 2 ballrooms with the large ballroom having a truly excellent floor.3 shows (2 evening and 1 on Sunday lunch). Friday night’ show was superb, as was Sunday’s, but Saturday night’s was worth the money alone. Truly outstanding.So hats off to all involved.Already booked for next year.

Tony Dyson

18:12 16 Mar 19

Another brilliant weekend. Well done all. Can't wait for next year, already looking at new dresses. What can I say - brilliant lessons, meeting the stars from Strictly, dancing the night away on the best dance floor ever - add to that a big band, friendly helpful staff and a nice venue - what else could you want from a weekend. Oh, to remember what you have learnt - that's covered too with videos. We appreciate all your hard work that goes into making these weekends so special. Thank you.

Susan Peacock

21:17 15 Mar 19

Our 11th time being part of Donaheys amazing dance weekends. We introduced 4 new people who all had a fab time & have already booked again for next year! We can’t recommend these weekends enough for anyone who loves dance, be it doing the workshops or simply watching the incredible shows. We shall be back in April at Celtic manor & are already counting the days. Thank you Paul, Amy, Shirley & all the team.Kay & Sean Escott

kay escott

13:29 15 Mar 19

Fantastic weekend and so much value for your money. Very high standard of workshops and feel so privileged to be taught by three wonderful Strictly couples and see their fabulous demonstration dances.

Colette Foan

13:09 15 Mar 19

As relative newcomers to ballroom dancing we weren't sure what to expect, but we shouldn't have worried. Donaheys gave us a fabulous weekend. The professionalism of the event was outstanding, from pre-information, joining instructions and weekend programme, super all round. All the lessons, and there's lots of them, were fun and within our ability and the showcase dances by the professionals made the evenings a "real night out". The hotel was everything that you would expect and were well looked after in terms of food and service. In fact it was all so good that we rebooked, before we left, to go to Celtic Manor next year.John and Caroline

John Spain

12:55 15 Mar 19

Fab-u-lous!We have just returned from the Dancing with the Stars weekend at Alton Towers Hotel. What an amazing weekend it was, and the organisation was just incredible! Everything runs like a well oiled machine, but at no time do you feel pressured to go to a dance workshop, you can take things at your own pace and attend as many or as few as you like! As avid Strictly fans, my husand and myself had never danced before, so we were in the beginners class. Excellent way to start a dance journey, and to also be taught by the Strictly Stars, Karen and Gorka on Friday, the Cha Cha Cha, Aljaz and Janette on Saturday, the Waltz, and Giovanni and Luba on Sunday, the Jive was truly great fun and they are excellent teachers. We were also taught the Quick Step on Saturday by Warren and Kristi Boyce, the most amazing dancers and teachers! The showcase dances performed by all of the Professionals left us in tears of joy, made us laugh, and we were in awe of their energy - if only! We also had the privelige of seeing some up and coming dancers of the future, Amy and Sasha, Mark and Ilenka, who were an absolute credit to the profession. What an amazing weekend it was, Donaheys you deserve 10 stars for one of the best events we've ever attended in the many years we have been going to entertainment events! Thank you and Keep Dancing!

Shaz M

09:25 11 Mar 19

The weekend at Celtic Manor went way beyond my expectations. My wife and I are both beginners and never felt isolated or embraced one bit. The organisation of the weekend was first class, the participation of the stars was full on, not just a half hour hear and there, no a real interaction, very entertaining and extremely professional. The evening shows were absolutely stunning, again not just a quick 5 minutes, no a real performance with full audience interaction with question and answer sessions. We have been so impressed we have already booked for 2019 and have persuaded some friends to join us, this will be their first time. A truly fantastic weekend, very much value for money and one I cannot recommend enough. The Donahey family fully deliver what they promise, are interested in all skill levels and people, give time and energy to the weekend which enables you to really learn dances. Good fun and very memorable Thank you to all. Lloyd and Sue Snowden

Lloyd Snowden

18:27 24 Jul 18

This our first weekend with Donaheys Dancing with the Stars. I love Strictly and I love dancing. I have danced for over 20 years but never been taught proper ballroom dancing. My husband also loves Strictly but has never, ever danced. We thought it would be a great idea to try this and it was our Christmas present to ourselves.We loved learning the different dance styles, although my husband found some harder than others, and it was absolutely brilliant to meet and learn from some of the Strictly professionals. They were amazing! We also got to learn moves with the fabulous ballroom dancers who were also amazing.The showcases were incredible and it was wonderful to see all these amazing dancers in action.I loved the social dancing too.We made some new friends who we are going to keep in touch with. We are all coming next year to Celtic Manor!My husband and I have decided to take ballroom lessons at home and are eager to make progress. We feel inspired!Thank you to the whole Donaheys team for a great weekend.

Melanie Riseam

14:31 27 Jun 18

We had a fantastic, memorable Dancing With the Stars weekend at the Celtic Manor Resort hotel. Everything was so well organised from start to finish. The Donahey team could not do enough to make our experience enjoyable. This was our first experience with Donahey's and it won't be our last. We had such a wonderful time that we booked again for next year.

John McManus

22:04 20 May 18

Such a wonderful experience!! Well organised, educational and most of all, fun!! We can’t wait to return for our 4th year!! See you in the blue group!!

Amanda Nash

14:52 15 May 18

An outstanding weekend in every respect. Brilliantly organised, great Stars from Strictly, lavish Showdances and lessons from the Stars. Learnt a lot, enjoyed myself immensely and though it great value for money. have booked for next year

David Wares

09:44 15 May 18

A truly incredible weekend, fantastic workshops led by Strictly Pros and world champions! Prepare to dance your socks off and be awed by showcase routines :))

Naomi Ibbs

16:48 14 May 18

The De Vere Beaumont in Windsor has recently been refurbished, and is now fine - good modern clean rooms, good food, and friendly, helpful staff. It's big, so there can be a bit of a walk from your bedroom to the centre of activities, such as the restaurants and ballroom. We were there in April 2018 for a Donahey's Dancing with the Stars weekend, which was well organised, and superb. Direct tuition from professional stars and world champions was excellent, and the show dancing blew us away. Altogether a great and memorable weekend. Jim and Hilary

Jim Steele

09:10 19 Apr 18

If you love Strictly and would like to learn to dance with the professionals, you need to book a weekend with Donaheys. From the time you arrive until you sadly have to say goodbye it is just the best weekend ever. ALL the Donaheys staff are so kind and so helpful. The dance workshops are such good fun. All i can say is, highly recommended! 😊

J N

17:41 18 Apr 18

If you’re wondering if you should attend Donaheys dancing with the stars weekend, the answer is yes, yes, yes!We have just returned from our first year there and it was so amazing we’ve booked again for next year.It is so professional, so organised and so well thought through. The Donaheys team are amazing and make it all work like a well oiled machine. You don’t need to worry about a thing, they take care of it all for you.Your days are jam packed full if you want them to be. Loads of workshops to attend where you learn from absolute professionals. The evening showcases are just magical and you also get a chance to practice the steps you learned that day.We were beginners and were treated with such dignity and respect. It was so much fun.Absolutely everyone we spoke to couldn’t speak more highly of the weekend if they tried.We loved it and can’t wait for next year.

Pamela Thomas

19:52 17 Apr 18

My wife Lorraine and I just attended the Donaheys Dancing With The Stars weekend at Beaumont House Windsor. As beginners we were a bit nervous of making fools of ourselves. But the whole weekend was a fabulous experience. The 7 beginners workshops were well run and great fun, including 4 taken by Strictly and Professional dancers. The evening shows were tremendous and included chances to practice the dances we had learnt during the day. The Beaumont House Hotel is a lovely place to stay, we had a very comfortable room and the staff were all very friendly. A great experience all round, which we may well do again one day.

Mike Smart

19:23 17 Apr 18

We had the most enjoyable weekend. It was well organised and we were able to attend all seven of our scheduled workshops.The workshops were excellent. The professionals commented that it was good to work with people that had a real interest in dance and this certainly came across well. They were fun and seemed to be pitched at an appropriate level for all the participants.The demonstration dances were again excellent and again were much appreciated by all the people there.We would highly recommend these weekends and were pleased to book a repeat for ourselves next year.Thank you to everyone who worked to make the weekend the great success that we all enjoyed.Dave and Jan

David Farmborough

12:45 17 Apr 18

Wow! wow!! WOW!!! First time attending Donahey’s Dance weekend and I was totally blown away! Far exceeded my expectations. Well organised, friendly staff, STUNNING dance displays, EXCELLENT teaching and GREAT location.

michael gaffney

11:53 16 Apr 18

Just had our first weekend at Alton Towers, we had a brilliant time, really well organised. The social dancing was great fun, and being up close with the dancers was amazing. There are two things I would change/review , 1) the food at dinner wasn’t great, and there is no excuse for a hotel to serve food on cold plates. This is not Donaheys fault, but worth mentioning. 2) The red carpet photo call is just a photo opportunity, due to time constraints etc, there isn’t the ability to have any individual photos. But make sure you get to the red carpet on the Saturday black tie ball as they look amazing.We’ve booked again for next year and can’t wait ! This weekend has encouraged us to join a Dance School, hopefully next year we may be wearing blue wristbands!

Mrs Mace

13:03 16 Mar 18

Whether you are into Latin or Ballroom dancing, attending a Donaheys Dancing With The Stars Weekend is an absolute must!During the course of each weekend, which runs from Friday evening to Sunday afternoon, you will get to see showcases performed by Stars from Strictly Come Dancing, attend classes delivered by the Stars themselves, and have great fun social dancing on an amazing dancefloor (which, on the Saturday night, will be to the live sounds of a big band).For the weekend's classes, each dancer is placed into one of three groups, depending on their dance experience. This allows instruction to be delivered at levels suited from beginner through to advanced. So, no-one will feel out-of-depth, but at the same time, all will be challenged.Throughout the weekend, the large contingent of friendly Donaheys staff are constantly on-hand to help, and always with a smile.Once the weekend comes to an end, and you start to depart the luxurious hotel that hosts the event, you will feel like you are leaving your (new) family.The Donaheys Dancing With The Start Weekends are a definite highlight to my year! I truly can not recommend them, nor the Donaheys staff and the regional regular dance lessons they run, highly enough.(In June of 2017 I attended the Chesford Grange weekend. In March of this year, 2018, I attended the Alton Towers weekend. I very much look forward to attending at least one of their weekends in each coming year)

Nigel Gotts

17:41 12 Mar 18

The Dancing with the Stars Weekend at Windsor organised by Shirley, Paul and Amy truly exceeded my expectations! It was a fantastic experience dancing with the Strictly Professionals and of course the talented Donahays team too! Wall to wall quality, very well organised, great fun and highly recommended. So much so that I have already booked for Celtic Manor in May 2018.

Suzy1952Q

05:53 25 Jul 17

5* would recommend to anyone simply FABULOUS

rhonda Brandon

16:21 18 Jul 17

We had the best weekend! We were complete beginners who were made to feel so welcome by all the team - fantastic sessions from all the pros and team of experts. The shows were amazing - everyone so personable. Thank you so much - cannot recommend highly enough!

Kathy Hardy

19:29 13 Jul 17

Its difficult to find enough superlatives to describe these amazing weekends. We have just attended our 8th, and it was as fabulous as ever. The Donaheys team are so welcoming & helpful, the workshops great fun & informative and the evening shows are breathtaking. We are once again already booked on 2 for next year & already looking forward to them both. We Cant recommend them highly enough. Thanks to all involved

Sean Escott

13:21 22 Jun 17

Another fantastic weekend with Donaheys at Chesford Grange.To see the showcase dances from the edge of the dance floor is amazing.The dance lessons from the Strictly Stars and Donaheys staff are really enjoyable.Well worth a visit for those who want to dance, and those who just want to watch...

Richard Mills

13:12 20 Jun 17

Best. Weekend. Ever. The organisation and staff are just superb. The work shops are so enjoyable and then the show cases in the evening round of a fantastic day. Highly recommended if you love dancing/Strictly!

J N

12:59 15 Jun 17

Many thanks for the last 6 years of fun filled Donaheys dancing with the stars weekends. Great work shops. Fabulous show cases. Well organised professional events. Already booked and looking forward to year 7 next year.thank you shirley paul amy and team. Enid and Brenda.

enid williams

08:54 11 Jun 17

Absolutely fantastic weekend on the Strictly weekend dance break in Manchester. So well organised.

Natalie Walker

18:07 16 May 17

Probably the Rolls Royce of weekend dance breaks. Intensive learning combined with a great ballroom experience alongside fellow minded intermediates and improvers. Whoever your particular Strictly Stars are, be in no doubt that Warren and Kristi are the real gems here. Scintillating !Can't thank Paul and the team enough. Top Marks

derek andrew

15:10 13 May 17

Thank you Donahey's for another fabulous, well-organised and fun weekend. First class, friendly tuition from the Strictly stars and Donahey's team encourages everyone, including beginners, to get up on the dance floor and give it a go. The professionals' show dances were truly amazing and seeing their skills at such close quarters was a real treat.Richard & Rosemary

Rosemary Pollard

20:28 10 May 17

We have been on at least 5 Dance Weekends and enjoyed them all. The workshops from the Strictly Pros and the Donahey's teachers are excellent and great fun. The showcases from the Pros in the evenings are spectacular. To be able to see them dance close up is a real treat. If you love your dancing then this is a weekend well worth the money.

Paul Penny

09:32 10 May 17

Dancing with the stars. Wow! What a Wonderful Weekend!This was our second time and seems even better. The organisation is brilliant. The professional dancers are amazing and make the workshops a joy.This is an experience not to be missed.

Clive Rowlands

09:45 07 May 17

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Locations of Donahey’s Dancing With The Stars Weekends

Exclusive 4* Weekend Breaks with the Stars of BBC Strictly Come Dancing

Donaheys organise exclusive 4* VIP Weekend Breaks where these sizzling stars will teach you how to dance and perform exceptional shows for you – you’ll also enjoy VIP access to meet them backstage after the show. And who better to teach you to dance than the Strictly Come Dancing Professional Dancers themselves; be captivated as they perform spectacular shows just for you.

Strictly audience members recent experience…

David Swan; Had the great pleasure of managing to get 2 tickets for last Saturdays show (29th October 2016 – Halloween show). All I can say is, it was Brilliant. There is no comparison to seeing it live than on the TV. Seeing how everything is recorded (the group dances, the Guest on the Sunday results show and then the dreaded end bit of the results show. So much more tense in the studio than watching on TV). And the biggest surprise, how much smaller the dance floor looks in real life, than on TV.

Long day though. We had to be at the studio for 3.15 and recording didn’t finally finish until 10.20 with only 1 real break between 8.15 and 9.00. Although we did get a free KitKat and a small carton of Juice from the BBC.

Registration for this years shows are now closed (they shut at the beginning of September). For those wanting to apply for next year. First you have to register on the BBC website (I think its on the Strictly section). In August, they send out a reminder to everyone who’s registered. Once registration is open, you then get the choice of which shows you want (put them all down). You will get confirmation of your registration. Then I’m afraid its pot luck.

I kept getting e-mails from the BBC to say my registration had been unsuccessful, then out of the blue (about 3 weeks beforehand), I got one to say, I had been successful and my tickets were attached. This year there was 5.5 million applications for tickets and they only allocate about 550/600 tickets per show. And it doesn’t end there. Even if you are lucky enough to get tickets, it doesn’t guarantee you will get in.

On the day you have to go to the studios to validate your tickets. We arrived at 1145 to be told we had the very last 2 guaranteed seats (449/450). So if you are so very lucky to get tickets, you have to get there very early in the morning to get them validated. The first 100 get on the studio floor (which you never see as they are behind the cameras). The rest are allocated to the upstairs balconies (You can see most of the dance floor). The 1 thing I did want to try and get over was the thing about validating your tickets. Apparently they over subscribe by between 100 & 150 per show and its only the 1st 450 who turn up are guaranteed seats. We tried to imagine what it would have been like, driving 170 miles only to be told we had missed out by a few minutes. Just shows how some people think though. The person who got ticket 1 on Saturday was at the Studio at 1-30 in the Morning. Validation didn’t start till 9 oclock.

We were sat directly opposite the judges so had a brilliant view of them (including Craig, Darcy and Len arguing like hell after Craig gave Greg Rutherford a 4 and upset Natalie). All those seats directly behind the judges and the others opposite on the studio floor and all for invited guests/VIPs.

Hopefully, those who wish to apply, this has given you a bit more insight on how the process works. And if you do get them, it is so much worth it. Good Luck. Believe you me, if you enjoy it on the Tele, you’ll absolutely love it live.

Best of luck with your application for Strictly audience tickets..

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Here’s how you can have dance classes with the Strictly Stars…

“This weekend sounds like so much Strictly fun”
EMMY GRIFFITHS Hello Magazine – 11th Oct 2019

The stars of Strictly Come Dancing including Neil and Katya jones, Anton Du Beke and Amy Dowden have announced their upcoming plans to reunite in Spring 2020 for a series of special weekends – and you can be a part of it! The weekend will take place across the country, and Strictly fans will be able to stay in 4* and 5* hotels and have the chance to rub shoulders with the talented dancers, take part in Q&As and even have a go at learning some moves yourself.

The experiences will take place in spring 2020

This amazing events has been sold out every year since 2004, and have been described as “the highlight of the entertainment calendar for every Strictly fan”. Speaking about the exciting upcoming series of weekends, Anton said: “It’s the best weekend you’ll have, ever. You get all of the stars come along and the organisation is amazing.” Aljaz Skorjanec, who attended the 2018 events, added: “What an amazing weekend! Thank you so much for inviting us, we are so happy to be part of your beautiful event. A clear 10 from me!” Anton’s dance partner, Erin Boag, added: “Everything is amazing. The accommodation and the organisation. You get workshops every single day – everything you could think of. Everything you see on Strictly, you’ll probably learn here.”

The event organiser, Paul Donahey, added: “One of the things we love most about these weekends is that we see everyone from experienced dancers to beginners. No matter their skill level, they leave at the end of the weekend with a newfound confidence and plenty of fantastic memories of dancing with the Strictly stars.” Each weekend include range of showcase performances, Q&A sessions and all of the photo opportunities you need to meet your favourite performers!

To find out more about Donahey’s Dancing with the Stars Weekends, visit www.donaheys.co.uk/events/

We have exciting news to share with you! We’re launching our fabulous online Ballroom and Latin Dance Lessons today and we’d love you to join us and dance your way through lockdown!

Now that you’ve mastered Zoom and FaceTime, learnt a new language or two, exhausted all crafts imaginable, sorted every cupboard and spruced up your garden, why not expand your skill-set by learning to dance?!

World class dance tuition at home
From the comfort of your own home you’ll be able to enjoy the very best of our Dancing With The Stars Weekends thanks to our new fun and easy to follow online dance lessons.

They’ll be brought to you by some of the UK’s finest dance teachers who’ve taught at our Dancing With The Stars Weekends, including World Ballroom Champions Warren and Kristi Boyce, leading Argentine Tango teachers Leandro Palou and Maria Tsiatsiani, rising stars David Cockram and Rosie Ward, and internationally acclaimed instructor Andy Wong. And of course both Amy and I will be part of the incredible line up bringing exceptional dance tuition into your very own home!

Dance your way through lockdown
Whether you’re an absolute beginner, a regular social dancer or somewhere in between, we’ll be offering a variety of styles to suit all levels of dance ability. Every month you can enjoy 20 new online dance lessons covering new steps, dances, choreography and technique, including nine Beginner Lessons, nine Improver/Intermediate Lessons and some fun Latino In Line.

All of our Ballroom and Latin Dance Lessons are accompanied by a fabulous soundtrack courtesy of Ross Mitchell, his band and singers which will have you up on your feet in no time. During each 45 minute dance lesson we’ll teach both the lead and follow steps solo, before demonstrating and practicing in partners. Plus our brilliant Bonus Technique Lessons will help you perfect your hold, posture and style. And with unlimited access to the monthly dances you’ll be able to give them all a go or just the ones that appeal to you most.

Learn to dance whenever and wherever you want at home
Our monthly online dance lessons are available On Demand and can be viewed on a variety of devices which means you can stream them whenever you want and on whichever device you choose. So it could be on your Smart TV in the lounge, your iPad in the kitchen, your laptop in the bedroom or your mobile in the garden! It’s entirely up to you. Plus you can pause, rewind and play the lessons at half speed to really master those all important steps and techniques. All you need is 2 square metres of clear space and you’re good to go!

What dances can I learn this month?

This month our amazing dance teachers will transport you into the wonderful world of dance where you’ll be able to learn the Waltz with Warren and Kristi Boyce, the Argentine Tango with Leandro Palou and Maria Tsiatsiani, and perfect the Cha Cha, Waltz, Rock ‘n’ Roll and Latin Line with Paul and Amy Donahey. Plus master the Foxtrot with David Cockram and Rosie Ward, and learn the Rumba and Tango with Andy Wong. Sounds good, eh?

How much does it cost?
For just £29.00 a month you can experience the joy of dance and unlimited access to world class dance tuition all from the comfort of your own home. That works out at just £6.45 per week when paid monthly. Plus you can even sign up as a household and gently increase your fitness levels together and have loads of fun whilst doing it!

The good news is there’s no lengthy subscription, you just pay per month and enjoy the lessons at a time that suits you and as often as you like. You can cancel at anytime and you’ll still be able to access and enjoy the lessons for the remainder of that month’s subscription.

How do I sign up?
Dancing is a great form of exercise that hits the spot for both physical and mental wellbeing, so why not give it a whirl and learn a new skill that you can enjoy beyond lockdown?

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After all, we’ve got the know-how and you’ve got the time to learn, so let’s get dancing! Just click the link here to enrol via our website.

On Demand

Our monthly lessons are available On Demand – so you can enjoy them whenever’s convenient for you.

Quality Dance Lessons

Both lead & follow steps are taught solo, then we demonstrate and practice in partners – just like a fabulous Donahey’s class.

All Devices

You can enjoy all our dance lessons on your Laptop, iPad, iPhone, Android devices, plus stream to your Smart TV.

45 Minute Lessons

Our lessons will last & feel just like a regular dance class.

Music Included

All our lessons use music courtesy of Ross Mitchell, His Band & Singers. Plus each lesson finishes with a practice demonstration for the full length of the music – just perfect for practicing & dancing along with.

Bonus Technique

We’ve included excellent Bonus Technique lessons covering Hold, Posture & Style – perfect for honing those dance-floor skills.

20 Dance Lessons

Every month we’ll present 20 new dance lessons for you to enjoy. You can expect 9 Beginner lessons and 9 Improver/Intermediate lessons, plus some fun Latino In Line for all. Each month we’ll try and cover most of the core Ballroom & Latin dances for you, plus you’ll have unlimited access to all 20 dance lessons so you can try as many or as few as you like – ideal!

Unlimited Pause, Play, Rewind

You can pause all the lessons, rewind & even play them half speed – just perfect for picking up the steps & technique.

Join Us Now – Just £29 per month

Who’s partnered with who in the Strictly Christmas Special?

The Strictly final is fast approaching and that means once this year’s champions have lifted the Glitterball trophy we’ll be treated to the Strictly Christmas Special. So who’s taking part?

1. Gorka fans will be over the moon to see him back for the Christmas special. He’ll be dancing with girlfriend, Gemma Atkinson, who made it all the way to the final in 2017 with partner Aljaz Skorjanec.

2. Joe Sugg will be partnered with his girlfriend, Dianne Buswell, who he danced with previously in 2018. As runners up, the couple just missed out on winning so perhaps they can snatch the Christmas title instead.

3. Chizzy Akudolu will be dancing with Graziano Di Prima, having previously competed with Pasha Kovalev in 2017.

4. Mark Wright, who partnered Karen Hauer in 2014 and made it all the way to the final coming fourth, will be dancing with Janette Manrara.

5. Funny man, Richard Arnold, will have another shot at the crown with Luba Mushtuk, having danced with Erin Boag in 2012.

6. Debbie McGee will partner up with Kevin Clifton, having made it all the way to the final in 2017 with Giovanni Pernice.

Can these former competitors bring the same calibre of dancing to their Christmas routines as we enjoyed before, or will Richard Arnold swoop in and take the coveted Christmas title from under their noses? We’ll just have to wait and see.

When’s the Strictly Christmas Special on?

The time has yet to be confirmed, but if you tune into BBC1 on Christmas Day in the early evening your festive celebrations will be complete with an ample helping of Strictly. Sticking with tradition, Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman will host and judges Shirley Ballas, Craig Revel Horwood, Motsi Mabuse and Bruno Tonioli will dish out lashings of constructive feedback.

Once the six couples have performed their dances the studio audience will vote and the champions will be crowned for another year. Past winners include Aston Merrygold, Katie Derham, Melvin Odoom, Harry Judd, Jill Halfpenny and John Barrowman.

The ultimate Christmas gift for Strictly fans

Looking for the perfect gift for a Strictly fan? Then why not make their Christmas truly memorable by treating them to this once in a lifetime opportunity to spend the weekend with Strictly pros Aljaz Skorjanec, Janette Manrara, Anton Du Beke, Erin Boag, Katya and Neil Jones, Karen Hauer, Gorka Marquez, Giovanni Pernice, Amy Dowden and Pasha Kovalev?

Our fabulous Weekend Breaks at Alton Towers Hotel & Spa, De Vere Beaumont Estate and Celtic Manor Resort in 2020 include workshops hosted by the pro dancers, as well as the chance to see them perform up close and personal. But that’s not all; you can also enjoy their fun Q&A sessions and Red Carpet Photo Calls, plus all the amazing facilities our 4* and 5* venues have to offer during your stay. So, that’s your Christmas present buying sorted!

With only a few weeks of Strictly left to satisfy our huge appetite for all things sparkly and dance orientated, we at least have the additional joy of Strictly Children in Need and the Strictly Christmas Special to look forward to.

Who’s taking part in Strictly Children in Need?

This year four members of the EastEnders’ cast will partner up with some of our favourite pro dancers and compete for the coveted Pudsey Glitterball trophy.

Gorka Marquez will make a much welcome return to our screens as he takes on the challenge with partner Louisa Lytton. Louisa first took to the Strictly dancefloor in series 4 when she was just 17. As the youngest ever celeb contestant to compete, she wowed us with her dance ability and made it all the way to fourth place with former Strictly pro, Vincent Simone.

Luba Mushtuk will also be back and hoping to nab the trophy with partner Ricky Champ. Her time in this year’s series was short lived when she and James Cracknel l became the first couple to be voted out of the competition.

New girl, Nancy Xu, will get to show us what she’s made of when she partners Rudolph Walker.

And Kevin Clifton may have just finished his stand in duties for an injured Neil Jones, but he’s already back in the training room with partner Maisie Smith.

When’s it on?

This year’s Children in Need is on Friday 15th November and will be hosted by Tess Daly, Ade Adepitan, Graham Norton, Mel Giedroyc, Tom Allen and Marvin and Rochelle Humes. Tune into BBC1 from 7.30pm for a fun-packed evening of fundraising and a sparkly slice of Strictly.
Do your thing for Children in Need

Amazing Fact

Did you know that to date the British public have raised over a £1billion for disadvantaged children? Visit the BBC Children in Need website for more information on how you can raise vital funds and support this worthy charity.

Well, Strictly Movie Week definitely didn’t disappoint with an inspired opening number featuring Anton, Katya, Janette and AJ in red spandex as The Incredibles and a fab Group Dance celebrating iconic moments from our favourite movies. And not forgetting the amazing Pixar tribute and Nadiya and Anton’s stunning routine to Harry Connick Jr’s performance.

The ‘Glam Squad’ and Vicky Gill’s team certainly transported us to the glitz and glamour of Hollywood with Red Carpet worthy outfits and exceptional hair and makeup. Plus the celebs and pro dancers really got into character and delivered some memorable routines.

And the Movie Week Award goes to…
There were many contenders for performance of the night, from Katya’s amazing stunt falls and Anton’s marvellous portrayal of Austin Powers, to Craig’s hilarious false teeth faux pas – oops. But the worthy winners were Kelvin and Oti who racked up the first 10s of the series with their Broadway-esque Charleston to Trip A Little Light Fantastic. Their incredible score of 38 points rocketed them straight to the top of the leaderboard.

Despite a nasty bump to the head, Dianne and Dev’s Couples’ Choice routine to Friend Like Me secured second place with a hugely impressive 36 points. Hot on their dancing heels were Michelle and Giovanni with a show-stopping Quickstep to Cabaret and Catherine and Johannes with a beautiful Rumba to Shallow.

If there was ever a Strictly Lifetime Achievement Award we’re pretty sure Anton deserves it, not just for his dazzling smile, but for his brave wardrobe choices and participation in 17 series of the show.

Who ended up on the cutting room floor?
She may have fallen in love with dancing, but Anneka’s lack-lustre Charleston only earned her and Kevin a score of 11 and a place in the dreaded dance-off. Unfortunately she went into battle with David and Nadiya and lost.

This weekend on Strictly
So, what will Week 4 bring? Well, the pros and celebs will definitely be upping the ante in the hope of taking the top spot on the leaderboard. And despite there not being a theme to get our teeth stuck into (sorry, Anton), we’re hoping for more surprising dance routines to impress us. So, here are the songs and dances we can look forward to:

Alex and Neil: Tango to Go Your Own Way by Fleetwood Mac
Catherine and Johannes: Charleston to Single Ladies by Beyoncé
Emma and Anton: Viennese Waltz to Send In The Clowns by Barbara Streisand
Emma and Aljaz: Jive to Kids In America by Kim Wilde
Michelle and Giovanni: Salsa to Quimbara by Johnny Pacheco & Celia Cruz
Saffron and AJ: Couples’ Choice to Because You Loved Me by Celine Dion

Chris and Karen: Jive to Saturday Night’s Alright by Elton John
David and Nadiya: Quickstep to From Now On by Hugh Jackman
Dev and Dianne: Cha Cha Cha to Dancing With A Stranger by Sam Smith feat. Normani
Karim and Amy: Tango to Paradise by George Ezra
Kelvin and Oti: Rumba to Ain’t No Sunshine by Bill Withers
Mike and Katya: Quickstep to Come On Eileen by Dexys Midnight Runners
Will and Janette: Foxtrot to Señorita by Shawn Mendes & Camila Cabello

Coming to a luxury venue near you!
Did you know that every Donahey’s Dancing with the Stars Weekend is a star-studded affair? When you book your places at either our fantastic Weekend Breaks or Short Breaks in 2020 you’ll be rubbing shoulders and polishing your dance moves with the real stars of BBC Strictly Come Dancing.

That’s right; the A-list Strictly pro dancers will be there in all their magnificent glory, from attending our Red Carpet Photo Calls, hosting dance workshops and Q&A sessions to performing sensational dance showcases, all for your enjoyment. But that’s not all, you’ll also be pampered in style as you enjoy all of the luxury facilities on offer at our 4* and 5* venues.

More exciting news!
If a whole weekend is simply out of the question, why not treat yourself to one of our new Short Breaks with your favourite pro dancers instead?

Our new Short Breaks mean you can now spend ‘One Night with Aljaz and Jannette’ at the luxurious 5* Celtic Manor Resort on Sunday 26th April 2020 or ‘One Night with Anton and Erin’ at the swanky 4* De Vere Beaumont Estate on Sunday 29th March 2020. You’ll be able to enjoy fab up close and personal performances and learn to dance with them – all in one night!

Well, that was a phenomenal show for week one of Strictly!

We think Bruno summed it up perfectly when he said, ‘Tonight was one of the most exciting, surprising premieres of Strictly Come Dancing…everybody came out with something I wasn’t expecting!’ We couldn’t agree more. If the calibre of dancing on Saturday night’s show is anything to go by, we’re in for a fantastic season of entertainment.

Which couples look promising?
Now that we’ve finally seen all of the couples dance, a few stood out for all the right reasons. Kelvin and Oti topped the leaderboard with an impressive score of 32 for their amazing Samba to La Vida Es Un Carnaval by Celia Cruz. Karim and Amy were just one point behind with their energetic Cha Cha Cha to If I Can’t Have You by Shawn Mendes. Hitting the highs with a score of 30, Michelle and Giovanni wowed us with their Cha Cha Cha to So Emotional by Whitney Houston and Dev and Dianne graced us with an elegant Foxtrot to Build Me Up Buttercup by The Foundations.

As if that wasn’t enough, there were plenty of firsts too. For starters, Craig got out his 8 paddle more times in one night than we usually see during the whole season. And Bruno not only used his to score, but also to swat a pesky fly! Plus Kelvin and Oti’s score of 32 was the highest for a Samba in any first week of the show in five years and Will and Janette’s score of 26 was the highest for a Quickstep in any first week of the show ever.

Even more surprisingly Anton managed to stay off the bottom of the leaderboard! Thanks to a slick Jive to Honey Honey by ABBA with partner Emma, they found themselves nestled amongst the high scorers. Neil’s four-year wait to dance with his own celeb partner on the show finally paid off with a pretty decent score of 21 for his Quickstep with Alex to I Get a Kick Out of You by Frank Sinatra. And new kids on the block, Catherine and Johannes, were close behind with a score of 20 for their Viennese Waltz to I Got You Babe by Sonny and Cher. That’s pretty good going for their premiere performances with a celeb partner, don’t you think?

Which couples underwhelmed the judges?
With the highs came the lows, but fortunately none of the couples felt the sharp edge of Craig’s tongue this week. However, Emma and Aljaz, David and Nadiya, Anneka and Kevin, Chris and Karen, and James and Luba all found themselves on the bottom half of the leaderboard. Still, at least they had plenty of encouragement and constructive criticism from Shirley and Motsi – wasn’t she great?

Week two’s songs and dances
It’s a new week so that means there’s a new playlist and dances to master. So just what are the Strictly Celeb’s and their Professional partners dancing this week?

Anneka and Kevin: Waltz to Run to You by Whitney Houston
Alex and Neil: Cha Cha to What I Did For Love by David Guetta feat. Emeli Sande
Catherine and Johannes: Samba to Let the Groove Get In by Justin Timberlake
Emma and Anton: Foxtrot to Sunshine of Your Love by Ella Fitzgerald, Ernie Heckscher Big Band and Tommy Flanagan
Emma and Aljaz: Tango to Sucker by Jonas Brothers
Michelle and Giovanni: Viennese Waltz to That’s Amore by Dean Martin
Saffron and AJ: Cha Cha to One Touch by Jess Glynne and Jax Jones

Chris and Karen: Charleston to Out of Our Heads by Take That
David and Nadiya: Paso Doble to Espana cani
Dev and Dianne: Jive to Dance With Me Tonight by Olly Murs
James and Luba: Jive to Tutti Frutti by Little Richard
Karim and Amy: Foxtrot to The Way You Look Tonight by Frank Sinatra
Kelvin and Oti: Waltz to What the World Needs Now by Burt Bacharach
Mike and Katya: American Smooth to Rhinestone Cowboy by Glen Campbell
Will and Janette: Salsa to 1-2-3 by Gloria Estefan

Missing Gorka and Pasha?
Of course we all missed Pasha and only got a fleeting glance of Gorka in the opening number and in the ‘Clauditorium’. But not to worry, if you book our Dancing with the Stars Weekend at 5* Celtic Manor Resort you can see them both up close and personal in April 2020. Gorka will be performing with Karen Hauer and hosting brilliant dance workshops, whilst Pasha will dazzle you with his talent and even teach you to dance.

If you book your places now you can benefit from our great Early Bird Discount safe in the knowledge that our Weekend Beak Transfer Flexibility allows you to switch weekends should another engagement pop up. How’s that for accommodating?!

100% peace of mind
And just so you know, when you book one of our Dancing with the Stars Weekends we provide full financial protection for all your deposits and payments through the Association of Bonded Travel Organisers Trust Limited (ABTOT).