PAIRING together professionally for the first time, Strictly Come Dancing’s Gorka Marquez and Karen Hauer will be sending temperatures soaring in Bournemouth next March with their new Latin spectacular Firedance.

Karen said: “I am beyond excited to be going on tour with a brand new show alongside Gorka. We have been working very hard to put on a show that will leave everyone feeling all the passion, excitement and energy that we feel when we are dancing. We can’t wait to travel around the UK and to meet you all.”

Born in Venezuela and having grown up in New York from the age of 10, Karen Hauer joined Strictly in 2012. In 2018 Karen reached the quarter-finals of the series with actor Charles Venn.

Gorka added: “We are both really passionate about Latin dance, and this tour will really showcase that. We’ve worked really hard on the numbers in this show and I think everyone is going to love it. See you in 2020!”

Gorka’s flair for dancing started from a very young age. Originally from Bilbao, Spain, aged 11 he attended Ballroom and Latin dance classes and went on to become one of the top dancers representing Spain across the world. He is now best known for his stint with Strictly. In 2018 he was partnered with TV star Katie Piper after having waltzed Alexandra Burke to the final the previous year.

A tour spokesman said: “With an incredible live band featuring Latin musicians and a dynamic dance ensemble performing Argentine Tango, Flamenco, Contemporary, Paso Doble, Samba and Salsa, audiences can expect an amazing show of fresh and exciting dance from two of the world’s finest.”

Firedance is at Bournemouth Pavilion Sunday, March 22 at 3pm. See firedancelive.co.uk