FANS of the hit TV show Strictly Come Dancing have jammed phone lines in a scramble for tickets to the live shows at Glasgow's SECC.

The city is the first stop on the show's UK tour and thousands of fans rushed for tickets when they went on sale at 9am yesterday.

The SECC shows on January 18 and 19 include two evening performances and a matinee.

A spokeswoman for the promoters, Stage Entertainment, said: "The level of interest in tickets has been unprecedented and phones have been ringing off the hook.

"Tickets are still available but we would advise people to book now to avoid disappointment."

The rush came just hours after viewers of the BBC1 show saw the first female voted out of the competition.

Actress Stephanie Beacham became the first female celebrity to be voted off the show on Sunday night.

She had been left in the bottom two, alongside former EastEnders star Letitia Dean.

Among the eight contestants taking part in the live show will be TV presenter Zoe Ball, former athlete Denise Lewis and The Bill actress Louisa Lytton. More names will be announced soon.

As with the TV version, the live show will pit the celebrity dancers and their partners against three of the four judges - Arlene Philips, Len Goodman and Craig Revel Horwood.

After Glasgow, the tour will visit Newcastle, London, Nottingham, Manchester, Sheffield and Birmingham.

Audiences at the live shows will be able to vote from their seats via text messages.

All proceeds from the live tour will go to the Children In Need charity appeal.