Firecracker of a dance show - literally!

Strictly Come Dancing StarsCromer PierThey dazzle millions of prime time TV viewers with their sparkling footwork and golden tans.But a pair of Strictly's finest stepped out of the ballroom on the box and showcased their skills on a smaller stage at a sell-out seaside theatre.

Strictly Come Dancing Stars

Cromer Pier

They dazzle millions of prime time TV viewers with their sparkling footwork and golden tans.

But a pair of Strictly's finest stepped out of the ballroom on the box and showcased their skills on a smaller stage at a sell-out seaside theatre.

Sultry Siberian Kristina Rihanoff sizzled in a succession of stunning routines and skimpy dresses. She looked more natural than her perma-tanned plastic telly persona, with a flowing platinum bob atop a paler athletic frame.

Tall, dark and handsome Brian Fortuna matched her step for step and oozed charm in a Stateside drawl that makes the women drool over the original 'American smooth.'

A capacity crowd watched the duo do a series of demonstration dances that were as slick as a ballroom couple's hair, as you would expect.

The added-value of getting up close and personal with them in the more intimate setting of a theatre came in a question and answer session with the audience. The pair, perched on the edge of the stage for a chummy chat, showed wit and warmth that is not often seen in the highly-pressured and stage managed TV show.

Brian revealed his other interests included outer space, while Kristina's was stage make up and designing her stunning dresses.

In between the dancing Brian sang a little with compere and comic Mike Newman Junior and told anecdotes including a confrontation with Beyonce's bouncers. Youngsters from the Anglia Academy of Dance filled the local guest troupe spot.

The padding was a little cheesy at times, but the audience lapped up the show because they had strictly come for the dancing.

And even for the dance-a-phobics in the audience, such as this reviewer, it was impressive.

Richard Batson

The hot dance routines of a Strictly Come Dancing duo sparked an unexpected drama on Tuesday night.

Pyrotechnics fired at the end of the first half of a show by Kristina Rihanoff and Brian Fortuna set off the fire alarms, and the building was evacuated.

The capacity 500-strong audience waited on the pier forecourt and decking for about 10 minutes before the fire service gave the all-clear.

Pier manager Ian Hall said the alarm problem was caused by a fire sensor that failed to isolate with the others during the fireworks.

The show had started 30 minutes late because the star couple suffered transport problems travelling from London.