Strictly's Amy Dowden and this years winner Carlos Gu to tour with their show Reborn from May 2026

There are some people who just seem to light up a room, and on the Strictly Come Dancing dancefloor, Amy Dowden and Carlos Gu are two of them. Fans of the hit BBC show know them for their incredible talent and sparkling personalities. But their new live tour, REBORN, which is heading back to theatres from May 2026, tells a much deeper story. This isn't just about the glitz and glamour of a Saturday night show; it’s a powerful, uplifting performance packed with personal stories of resilience, recovery, and rediscovery. After a brilliant run of packed houses, this tour is set to be one of the hottest tickets in town, promising a show that will connect with audiences on a whole new level.

A show with a powerful story

The name of the tour, REBORN, isn't just a catchy title. It gets right to the heart of what this show is all about. It’s a celebration of new beginnings and the incredible power of dance to get you through the toughest times. For Amy Dowden, the show is a reflection of her much-anticipated return to the professional dancefloor. Her journey through a breast cancer diagnosis and treatment has been shared with incredible honesty, inspiring thousands. This tour is a celebration of her strength and her return to the thing she loves most: dance.

And it's a twin story of transformation. For Carlos Gu, the theme of being ‘reborn’ is about his own journey of self-discovery since moving to the UK. Starting a new chapter in a different country is a huge step for anyone, and Carlos has embraced it with his trademark charisma. The show explores how this move, and the world of dance, have shaped him. Together, Amy and Carlos have created an inspirational live show that uses breathtaking dance routines to tell their stories. It’s an emotional journey that promises to be full of joy, energy, and spectacular performances, brought to life by a cast of world-class dancers and vocalists.

The incredible journey of Amy Dowden MBE

Anyone who watches Strictly Come Dancing knows Amy Dowden is a phenomenal dancer, but her list of achievements is seriously impressive. Long before she became a household name, Amy was already a champion. She and her partner Ben Jones were crowned British National Latin Dance Champions in 2016. What’s amazing about that is they were the first all-British pair to win that specific title in more than 30 years. They also scooped up titles like the English Closed Champions and Welsh Closed Champions, proving their place at the very top of the competitive dance world.

Since joining the Strictly family in 2017, she’s become one of the show’s most beloved professionals, even becoming a finalist with Karim Zeroual in 2019. But her impact goes way beyond the dancefloor. Amy was awarded an MBE in the King’s Birthday Honours 2024 for her incredible charity work, particularly raising awareness for Crohn's Disease, a condition she has lived with for many years. Her honest and open approach has helped so many people. She even won a BAFTA Cymru for her powerful BBC documentary, Strictly Amy: Crohn’s & Me. More recently, following her breast cancer diagnosis, she has worked tirelessly with charities like CoppaFeel! to encourage people to check themselves, sharing her own experience in another moving BBC documentary. For her advocacy work, she has received a Points of Light Award from the Prime Minister and a Raising Awareness Award. Amy is a true inspiration, and this tour is a testament to her incredible spirit.

The unstoppable Carlos Gu

Carlos Gu burst onto the Strictly Come Dancing scene in 2022 and made an immediate impact, reaching the final in his very first season with Molly Rainford. It wasn’t long before he lifted the famous glitterball trophy, winning the show in 2025. His energy is infectious, and audiences absolutely love him. But just like Amy, Carlos has a history packed with success. He is a three-time Chinese National Champion and a multiple World semi-finalist in the world of Latin dance.

His success at the 2017 UK Championships, where he was a runner-up in the Amateur Rising Star Latin category, shows he was always destined for big things. On Strictly, he has created some truly memorable moments, like the stunning Argentine Tango with Angela Scanlon in Blackpool that had audiences captivated. Beyond the main show, Carlos has taken part in the live tour and other professional productions, showcasing his incredible artistry. He’s also a natural on television, with his charm shining through on shows like The One Show and even reading a CBeebies Bedtime Story. Through these appearances, he’s shared how dance and his move to the UK have been transformative, a story he’s now ready to tell on stage in the REBORN tour.

The Reborn tour dates for 2026

This is a show you won’t want to miss. It’s a chance to see two of the best dancers in the business, Amy and Carlos, tell their stories live on stage. The tour is visiting theatres all across the country, including a stop at the Grand Opera House in York. Here are the dates for your diary:

• Sat 30/05/2026 – Basingstoke – The Anvil

• Sun 31/05/2026 – Richmond – Theatre

• Mon 01/06/2026 – Woking – New Victoria

• Tue 02/06/2026 – Poole – Lighthouse

• Thu 04/06/2026 – Southend – Cliffs Pavilion

• Fri 05/06/2026 – Milton Keynes – Theatre

• Sat 06/06/2026 – Peterborough – Cresset

• Sun 07/06/2026 – Tunbridge Wells – Assembly Hall

• Mon 08/06/2026 – Northampton – Derngate

• Tue 09/06/2026 – Cheltenham – Town Hall

• Thu 11/06/2026 – Crawley – Hawth

• Fri 12/06/2026 – Aberystwyth – Arts Centre

• Sat 13/06/2026 – Cardiff – New Theatre

• Sun 14/06/2026 – Salford – Lowry

• Mon 15/06/2026 – High Wycombe – Swan

• Tue 16/06/2026 – York – Grand Opera House

• Thu 18/06/2026 – Fareham – Live

• Fri 19/06/2026 – Birmingham – Alexandra

• Sat 20/06/2026 – Swansea – Arena

• Sun 21/06/2026 – Swindon – Wyvern

The combination of these two incredible dance champions on one stage is set to be unforgettable. The show promises to be a moving, powerful, and utterly joyous celebration of life and the human spirit.