Spend the weekend with your favourite stars of BBC Strictly Come Dancing.

Enjoy 3 days of spectacular dance showcases as the stars of Strictly Come Dancing perform up close & personal for a truly intimate experience unlike any other – learn to dance with them, plus hear all about their Strictly journeys.

2019 Dancing With The Stars Weekends

Friday 8th – Sunday 10th March 2019
4* Alton Towers Resort Hotel
Staffordshire

Join your favourite stars of Strictly Come Dancing for an unforgetable weekend break.

Friday 29th – Sunday 31st March 2019
4* Beaumont Estate Hotel
Windsor, Berkshire

Join your favourite stars of Strictly Come Dancing for an unforgetable weekend break.

Friday 26th – Sunday 28th April 2019
5* Celtic Manor Resort Hotel
Newport, South Wales

Join your favourite stars of Strictly Come Dancing for an unforgetable weekend break.

Friday 14th – Sunday 16th June 2019
4* Beaumont Estate Hotel
Windsor, Berkshire

Join your favourite stars of Strictly Come Dancing for an unforgetable weekend break.

Friday 5th – Sunday 7th July 2019
5* Celtic Manor Resort Hotel
Newport, South Wales

Join your favourite stars of Strictly Come Dancing for an unforgetable weekend break.

Locations of Donahey’s Dancing With The Stars Weekends

Donahey’s 2019 Dancing With The Stars Weekends

If you’re a fan of hit TV show BBC Strictly Come Dancing, you’ll love our

weekend breaks

– Donaheys Dance Weekends truly are inspirational.

Our Dancing with the Stars Weekends not only give you the chance to relax in amazing 4* locations, but also to enjoy spectacular performances from your favourite Strictly Come Dancing Professional dancers – all up close & personal.

You’ll see your favourite stars dancing up close & personal for a truly intimate experience unlike any other, you’ll hear all about their Strictly experiences with our fun Q&A sessions.

You could enjoy dance lessons with the stars, plus there’ll be lots of photo opportunities so you’ll have plenty of pictures to make your friends envious!

Donahey’s Dancing with the Stars Weekends have been selling out since 2004, ever since Strictly Come Dancing first waltzed onto our screens, and just like the show our dance weekends are going from strength to strength.

The Strictly stars love our dance weekends too…

‘Paul, you’re such a Superstar for organising such a fabulous event’ Anton Du Beke

‘Is it me or do Donahey’s run the best dance weekends in the country….Kevin Clifton

‘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!’ Aljaz Skorjanec

‘I know we say this every year, but this really is the best dance weekend in the UK. So well organised and so much dancing. We love working with Donahey’s, you always know you’ll get such a professionally run event. Thank you to Donahey’s for organising such wonderful events’Ian Waite

‘Our 3rd year at a Donaheys dance weekend. Thank you for letting Kevin and I be part of this fabulous event. Lots of love x’ Karen Clifton

‘Donaheys organise the number 1 dance event in the country. We really look forward to Donahey’s dance weekends; they’re so well organised, great venues and a fabulous audience. Thank you so much Paul.’Natalie Lowe

‘What a FAB-U-LOUS event to attend. A real feel good weekend, cannot wait to be back’ Janette Manrara

Strictly Come Dancing is one of the BBC`s most popular shows. Hosted by Tess Daly & Claudia Winkleman, Strictly Come Dancing becoming an overnight success in 2004 with celebrities initially hard to pull onto the show now queuing to be booked! Strictly Come Dancing is now watched in some 38 countries worldwide, with even the Emirates most recently coming on board in 2012. In the Guinness Book of World Records 2010 edition, the format of Strictly Come Dancing was named the most successful television show ever.

So if you can’t tear yourselves away from the television on a Saturday night and would love to get your dancing shoes on, then a Dancing with the Stars Weekend could be the experience of a lifetime for you. Book now to avoid disappointment, as these are popular events.

Strictly Come Dancing is well and truly BACK for 2017!

Over 9.5 million people tuned in to the launch show on Saturday night, the second biggest audience yet for an opening episode of the show. But don’t worry if you missed the show, we have all you need to know about this year’s celebrities and which professional dancer they are partnered with right here.

Dig out your sequins and scoring paddles, here are the celebrities, and their pro partners, who will be taking over your Saturday Nights.…

First to be introduced to her partner was actress and model, Gemma Atkinson who will be taking to the floor with Aljaz Skorjanec. Hoping to do her late husband and previous Strictly contestant, Paul Daniels, proud, is the lovely Debbie McGee, who was partnered with Giovanni Pernice. Holby City actress, Chizzy Akudolu, was next! Chizzy is hoping to get hearts racing with her dance partner, Pasha Kovalev – could this pairing be just what the Doctor ordered? Fulfilling her Strictly dreams is TV Presenter, Ruth Langsford, who is in the safe hands of dancing legend, Anton Du Beke.

Following the first few pairings, we got to meet new head judge, Shirley Ballas, who will be bringing 40 years dance experience to the show. Shirley has promised to be “fun, feisty, firm and fair!” We can’t wait to see how the Queen of Latin fits into the judging panel…

We were also introduced to the three new female professionals in a dramatic group dance. Joining this year’s pros are Australian Open Champion, Dianne Buswell, two-time World Champion and European Champion, Nadiya Bychkova, and finally the current British National Champion, Amy Dowden!

First of the male celebrities to be partnered up was JLS singer, Aston Merrygold, who will be bringing backflips to the ballroom with his pro partner, Janette Manrara. Also joining the cast of Strictly 2017 is Britain’s Most Famous Vicar, Reverend Richard Coles, who will be dancing with new pro, Dianne Buswell. Swapping the Square for the Samba is Eastenders Actor, Davood Ghadami who was partnered with new blonde bombshell, Nadiya Bychkova. TV presenter and Chef, Simon Rimmer, will be embracing this series with his partner, Karen Clifton, but does he have all the right ingredients to make the final?

It only feels like yesterday that Joanne Clifton and Ore Oduba were lifting the glitterball in the Strictly Come Dancing 2016 final! The incredible pair performed their sensational Jive for the final time on the 2017 launch show, before giving some wise advice to this year’s line-up, including “if you can help it, don’t cry… all the time!”

The launch show also saw an emotional tribute to Strictly Come Dancing legend, Sir Bruce Forsyth, who passed away in August. The professional dancers paid their respects with a beautiful routine to Frank Sinatra’s ‘Fly Me to the Moon.’ – not a dry eye in the house…

Newsreader, Charlotte Hawkins was then partnered with Brendan Cole and has said she is very much looking forward to being “Strictly-fied!”. Singer, Mollie King, is no stranger to Saturday’s! She will be taking on her Strictly journey with pro partner, AJ Pritchard. After confessing her love for a certain pro, comedian, Susan Calman, won the jackpot when partnered with Kevin Clifton. Susan even confessed to having a picture of Kevin on her fridge! Completing this year’s girl squad, is singer and West End star, Alexandra Burke. She is looking forward to getting started in the training room with her dance partner, Gorka Marquez.

Joining this year’s male celebs is Holby City actor, Joe McFadden, who is swapping the Doctor’s coat for sequined shirts with his pro partner, Katya Jones. Champion paralympian, Jonnie Peacock, is hoping to win gold again with the lovely Oti Mabuse. Finally, comedian and actor, Brian Conley, will be bringing laughter to the ballroom with new pro, Amy Dowden.

What do you think to these pairings? And, who shone for you in the very first group dance of 2017?

The hopeful contestants now have three weeks to perfect their first Strictly dance before the next shows, which will air on Saturday the 23rd of September.

5* Weekend Breaks with the stars of Strictly Come Dancing

Who better to teach you to dance than the professional dancers from Strictly Come Dancing? You can meet the stars, learn their steps and be captivated as they perform spectacular shows just for you.

Strictly Come Dancing 2017 pairings in full – Which Celebrity is dancing with which Professional Dancer

Aston Merrygold & Janette Manrara
Brian Conley & Amy Dowden
Davood Ghadami & Nadiya Bychkova
Joe McFadden & Katya Jones
Jonnie Peacock & Oti Mabuse
Reverend Richard Coles & Dianne Buswell
Simon Rimmer & Karen Clifton
Alexandra Burke & Gorka Marquez
Charlotte Hawkins & Brendan Cole
Chizzy Akudolu & Pasha Kovalev
Debbie McGee & Giovanni Pernice
Gemma Atkinson & Aljaž Škorjanec
Mollie King & AJ Pritchard
Ruth Langsford & Anton Du Beke
Susan Calman & Kevin Clifton

All I want for Christmas…is an experience like no other

We know the world of Strictly Come Dancing is all consuming, but it can’t have escaped your notice that Christmas is fast approaching. Not only do we celebrate the ‘crowning’ of the new Strictly champions at this time of year, but friends and family also expect a present or two.

Is Strictly Come Dancing inspiring you?

Here are our top five reasons Donaheys can make your Strictly dreams come true with our fabulous 4* Dancing With The Stars Weekends…

1. Our Dancing With The Stars Weekends have many stars of Strictly as well as World Champions and stars of the future, all in the same place at the same time.

We invite many Strictly professional dancers to our weekends to give you the best experience possible that you will genuinely enjoy and remember forever. At all our dance holidays you will be up close and personal with the stars as they perform spectacular showcases just feet away from you!

2. On a Donahey’s 4* Dance Holiday you’ll have a substantial amount of valuable dance lessons – seven hours in total! Four dance lessons will be with the stars of Strictly, including Kevin and Karen Clifton, Ian Waite, Natalie Lowe and many more! During the other three hours you will be taught by trusted Donaheys dance experts & experts in the field of dance – such as Argentine Tango champions, rest assured you are being taught to dance by the very best!

3. All our dance lessons for the weekend breaks are split so you are dancing with people of the same ability. Whether you’ve never danced before, are an Improver or an experienced dancer; whatever your level of dance ability, you are guaranteed to be taught in a class of similarly-skilled students so you don’t feel behind or ahead, ensuring every lesson is of genuine value to your progression as a dancer.

4. We don’t waste Sundays! After breakfast you can enjoy even more workshops with the stars before our grande finale dance showcase from the professional dancers to make the most of the final day. We guarantee a full weekend of dance like no other!

5. We’re experienced in what we do! We are a dance school organising dance holidays and are experts in our field – so you know your break will run smoothly and be a fantastic, worthwhile experience which will actually benefit your dancing..

Coupled with our fun Q&A sessions with the Strictly stars, our red carpet photo calls & all the extras we include, Donahey’s Dancing With The Stars Weekends promise you a memorable dance holiday up close & personal with the stars of Strictly – just read some of our customer testimonials from this year here

Book your 2018 Dancing With The Stars Weekend Break now, when they’re gone they’re gone!

The wait is over….tonight & tomorrow we’ll finally get to see this year’s celebrity contestants dance after 3 weeks of gruelling rehearsals and fake tan booths. We’ve got all you need to know about this weekend’s exciting live shows right here, including which dances the celebrities will perform, plus which songs they’ll be dancing too…

Strictly will kick off tonight at 9pm with 6 couples dancing their first routines followed by tomorrow night’s show starting at 6:30pm, when the remaining 9 couples will perform.

Dancing the Cha Cha this week will be; Anastacia to ‘Lady Marmalade’, Claudia Fragapane to ‘What Makes You Beautiful’ by One Direction, Danny Mac to DNCE’s ‘Cake By The Ocean’, Judge Rinder to ‘Mercy’ by Duffy, Laura Whitmore to ‘Venus’ by Shocking Blue and Melvin Odoom to ‘Loco In Acapulco’.

Dancing the Waltz will be; Daisy Lowe to ‘Unforgettable’ by Nat King Cole, Ed Balls to ‘Are You Lonesome Tonight’ by Elvis Presley, Lesley Joseph to ‘What’ll I Do’ by Alison Krauss and Naga Munchetty to ‘Run To You’ by Whitney Houston.

Meanwhile Louise Redknapp will be dancing the Jive to ‘Jump, Jive and Wail’, as will Greg Rutherford to ‘Get Ready’. Will and Ore will be dancing the Tango to ‘Let’s Dance’ and ‘Geronimo’, respectively. Finally, Tameka Empson will be dancing the Paso Doble to ‘El Gato Montes’.

The BBC are keeping tight lipped about which contestants we’ll see dance each evening. Don’t worry about evictions this week, as all the partnerships have a pass straight into next weekends shows.

If this weekend’s shows aren’t enough – It Takes Two will be returning next week, weekdays at 6:30pm on BBC Two. Zoe Ball will have all the latest gossip and updates from the training rooms as well as exclusive interviews with the contestants, judges and other Strictly-obsessed celebrities!

Strictly have released footage of the contestants’ ‘First Steps’ in an iPlayer exclusive. This exciting look at the dancing progress over the last 3 weeks, shows tough training and lots of giggles as the celebrities have been practicing every move to perfection. If the training room is anything to go by, we think Louise Redknapp, Will Young and Ore Oduba will be strong contenders and could dance their way to the glitterball.

Will Ed ‘Glitter’ Balls surprise us all? Will Greg Rutherford be able to keep his speed and power under control? Will Lesley Joseph glide like a feather across the floor?

Tune in this weekend to find out!

Enjoy…!

Press Release for immediate release

19 September 2016

Hit TV show Strictly Come Dancing is once again taking over the television screens of the nation. Over 10 million people tuned in to watch the launch show, and now fans of the show can guarantee an experience like no other and be taught by the professional stars of Strictly Come Dancing themselves – just like the celebrities!

The Strictly competition kick’s off this Friday with fans eager to get their annual fix of sequins, incredible dance routines, controversial comments from the judges, and a few celebrity mishaps. For those that feel inspired when watching the show, Donahey’s offer the perfect experience – a Dancing with the Stars Weekend which gives fans four hours of fabulous ballroom and Latin dance lessons with the stars of Strictly as part of the fantastic range of entertainment on offer.

With the likes of newlywed couple Karen and Kevin Clifton on hand to help, as well as fan favourites Aljaz Skorjanec and Janette Manrara, guests are promised a weekend of dancing delights, especially when the evening performance start. Dance enthusiasts will be treated to three spectacular showcases from the professionals as part of up close and personal experiences complete with dance-floor side tables throughout the weekend. If that wasn’t enough, they’ll be able to take part in seven hours of tailored dance classes to suit their ability as well as attend a sensational Black Tie Ball – to try putting their new found skills to the test as a 15-piece ballroom and Latin big band play.

Paul Donahey, organiser of the weekends, said, “Strictly Come Dancing has become something of a national treasure and a winter TV fixture in households across the country. But the fun of the ballroom doesn’t have to end when the glitter ball trophy is awarded. With a weekend packed with dance classes and showcases, anyone getting withdrawal symptoms after Strictly has ended can come along to one of our fantastic weekends with the promise of an incredible experience.”

It’s not just guests that have an incredible time on the weekend breaks either – the professionals love taking part just as much. World Mambo champion, Karen Clifton, said, “We absolutely love coming here and every time Donahey’s invites us we say yes.” While 19-time Ballroom and Latin champion, Aljaz Skorjanec, also commented that it is the shows at Donahey’s that he looks forward to the most all year.

Donahey’s 2017 4-star weekend breaks are already being snapped up by Strictly fans, whether guests choose to attend a weekend in Staffordshire, Berkshire, Manchester or Warwickshire they’ll be enjoying their weekend amid beautiful surroundings in carefully selected locations.

To find out more and book a 4-star weekend break visti our dance weekend page

About Us
Donahey’s has been teaching people to dance for almost five decades and is one of the country’s leading dance schools. The school specialises in organising 4-star weekend breaks with the stars of Strictly Come Dancing and offering dance lessons in Manchester, Stockport and South Devon.

We’re just days away from dancing around our living rooms to the Strictly theme song as we eagerly await the Strictly celebrity’s first dance with their professional partner.

But what if we said you could be dancing around a ballroom learning from your favourite Strictly pro next year?

At a Donaheys Dancing With The Stars Weekend your dancing dreams can come true, from asking Strictly legend, Anton Du Beke, your burning questions to learning the wonderful Waltz, our glitter packed weekend breaks are FAB-U-LOUS!

Want to hear what the Strictly Pros themselves think about Donahey’s Dancing With The Stars Weekends? Well we’re thrilled to release our 2017 testimonial video with Strictly favourites Janette Manrara, Anton Du Beke, Kevin Clifton and many more.

In 2017, you can expect Karen and Kevin Clifton at three of our 4* weekend breaks; in our brand new testimonial video featuring the Strictly stars, Karen Clifton said, “we absolutely love coming here and every time they invite us we say yes!”

Aljaz Skorjanec and Janette Manrara will be at all four of our 2017 Dancing With The Stars Weekends; checkout our new feature video and you’ll see Aljaz said, “Through the whole year, all the shows we do, we’re actually looking forward to Donaheys the most”. Janette replied, “What’s nice about Donaheys, as well, is you don’t only get to come up and close with us professionals from Strictly Come Dancing, we also get to come up and close to champions, world champions”.

The champions that Janette is talking about are British National & IDU World Ballroom Champions, Warren and Kristi Boyce, who will be at the 4* weekend breaks held at Alton Towers Resort Hotel, Chesford Grange Hotel and Beaumont Estate Hotel, as well as the incredible US National Amateur Ballroom Champions, Andres and Veronika End, who will be at Beaumont Estate Hotel in July. In our 2017 testimonial video, Kristi said, “I think all the Donaheys holiday weekends are run in absolutely fantastic hotels.”

Next year, Anton Du Beke and Erin Boag will be teaching incredible ballroom lessons at the Village Hotel & Leisure Club, Manchester in May and Beaumont Estate Hotel, Windsor in July. In our testimonial video, Anton says, “The guarantee at a Donaheys weekend is you’ll have fun. You’re going to meet the stars of the show, which is always a lot of fun,” Erin then exclaimed “and you’re going to learn something!”

If your favourites are Ian Waite and Natalie Lowe, they’ll be joining Donaheys at Chesford Grange Hotel in Kenilworth in June. When discussing our 4* weekend breaks, Natalie said, “It’s our favourite event to dance at!”

You can’t beat these amazing testimonials from the stars themselves….

Don’t miss out on the experience of a lifetime – book a Donahey’s Dancing With The Stars Weekend now and get dancing!

Saturdays Strictly launch show wasn’t short of glitz, glamour and fake tan, as Starship Strictly landed on our screens for the start of another fantastic series.

More than 10 million people tuned in to the launch night on BBC1, the biggest audience yet for an opening episode of the show. But don’t worry if you missed the show, we have all you need to know about this year’s celebrities and which professional dancer they are partnered with right here.

View our Quick summary of the 2016 Strictly pairings below.

The show kicked off with four glamorous ladies being introduced to their dance partners, as the male professionals looked on with wide grins on their faces. Singer and TV presenter Louise Redknapp, wore a shimmering pink dress as she was paired with Kevin Clifton. Next up was BBC Breakfast’s, Naga Munchetty who will be sharing her sparkling Strictly journey with Pasha Kovalev. Anastacia, a singer-songwriter from across the pond, will be hitting the dance floor with Strictly legend Brendan Cole, who has appeared on every series since the beginning, and presenter, Laura Whitmore will be getting her groove on with Giovanni Pernice.

After an exotic ‘Rio inspired’ pro dance which introduced us to this year’s new pro dancers, four male contestants were partnered up. Radio DJ and TV presenter, Melvin Odoom announced himself to be a “pocket rocket” as he was paired with Janette Manrara. Olympic long-jumper Greg Rutherford will be jumping into his Strictly journey with Natalie Lowe, while Judge Rinder is hoping to put an end to Craig’s harsh words with his professional partner and Strictly newby, Oksana Platero. Actor, Danny Mac will be swapping the Hollyoaks set for the Strictly ballroom with dance partner,Oti Mabuse.

Following the return of last year’s winners, Jay and Aliona, who performed their memorable Jive for the final time, the remaining female celebrities met their Strictly match. Olympic gymnast, Claudia Fragapane will be dancing her way through the series with Strictly’s youngest ever male professional, newcomer, AJ Pritchard. Model, Daisy Lowe looked as glamorous as ever in a stunning red dress as she was partnered with Aljaz Skorjanec. Lesley Joseph, actress best known for starring in sitcom, Birds of a Feather, is hoping to shimmy her way to the final with Strictly legend, Anton Du Beke, while Eastenders actress, Tameka Empson found a ‘corker’ in new professional, Gorka Marquez.

Finally, the remaining three male celebrities were introduced to their professional partners. Sports presenter, Ore Oduba will be dancing with returning professional, Joanne Clifton, Former Shadow Chancellor, Ed Balls is hoping to win a seat in the final with newby, Katya Jones, and singer, Will Young will be dancing the night away with the one and only Karen Clifton!

The hopeful contestants now have three weeks to perfect their first Strictly dance before the next shows, which will air on the 23rd and 24th of September.

View our Quick summary of the 2016 Strictly pairings below.

4* Weekend Breaks with the stars of Strictly Come Dancing

Who better to teach you to dance than the professional dancers from Strictly Come Dancing? You can meet the stars, learn their steps and be captivated as they perform spectacular shows just for you.

Strictly Come Dancing 2016 pairings – Celebrity and their Professional Dancer

Claudia Fragapane and AJ Pritchard
Daisy Lowe and Aljaž Skorjanec
Lesley Joseph and Anton Du Beke
Anastacia and Brendan Cole
Laura Whitmore and Giovanni Pernice
Melvin Odoom and Janette Manrara
Ore Oduba and Joanne Clifton
Will Young and Karen Clifton
Louise Redknapp and Kevin Clifton
Greg Rutherford and Natalie Lowe
Danny Mac and Oti Mabuse
Naga Munchetty and Pasha Kovalev
Tameka Empson and Gorka Marquez
Ed Balls and Katya Jones
Judge Rinder and Oksana Platero