Sweet Mandarin is a 10minute walk to the MEN Area. Perfect for a Pre-concert meal. Book here

Strictly Come Dancing 2011 winner Harry Judd will lead an all-star celebrity line-up at this year’s live Manchester shows.

Fellow finalists Australian acting and singing superstar Jason Donovan and local actress Chelsee Healey plus ex-Eastenders legend Anita Dobson, former footballer Robbie Savage, feisty property lawyer and entrepreneur Nancy Dell’Olio and ex-Olympic swimmer Mark Foster will join McFly’s Harry in Manchester for the Tuesday 31 January & Wednesday 1 February shows. Kate Thornton will return as the host of the live shows.

Alongside the exciting celebrity line-up will be judges Lee Goodman, Bruno Tonioli and Craig Revel Horwood, who is also directing the live tour for a second year running.

Former Blackburn Rovers footballer Robbie Savage said: I’m enjoying each week more and more and I’m really glad to be continuing the experience on tour. I can’t wait to be out on the floor every night, hopefully there won’t be any cameras to crash into this time!”.

Eccles-born Waterloo Road actress Chelsee Healey said: “I’m so thrilled to be part of the Strictly tour, the TV show has been more fun than I ever could have imagined and I can’t wait to carry on dancing every week”.

Jason Donovan added: “I have been overwhelmed with the support I have had so far on the show and I have really enjoyed dancing every week. Learning so many different dances has been an amazing experience and I can’t wait to see the new routines we’ll be performing on the tour”.

The ultimate in feel-good entertainment, Strictly Come Dancing Live features all the must-haves from the hugely popular BBC1 TV series. Stunning costumes, outspoken judges, dazzling dances from your favourite celebrity contestants and some brand new routines courtesy of the ever-popular professional dancers make this a must-see show.

More than 9 million viewers tuned in to watch the series’ launch show on BBC1.  The television format, also known as Dancing With The Stars, entered the Guinness Book of World Records three years ago as the world’s most successful reality television show and has been sold by BBC Worldwide to over 35 international broadcasters.  2010′s final saw more than 14 million people tune in to see Kara Tointon raise the Strictly glitterball.

GOADSBY STREET, MANCHESTER, ENGLAND

Hotel Reservations : 0871 423 4876

The brand new, modern and contemporary Holiday Inn Express Manchester City Centre-MEN Arena is situated right in the heart of Manchester on the doorstep of Sweet Mandarin (www.sweetmandarin.com).

The Northern Quarter, MEN Arena, Printworks, Arndale Centre, Selfridges, Harvey Nichols, Millennium Square and the big wheel are just a few minutes walk. Located in the vibrant northern quarter with its cosmopolitan mix of boutique shops, captivating nightlife, fashion designers, creative agencies, art galleries, home to the iconic Afflecks Palace, popular cafes, bars and restaurants, the northern quarter is the cultural heart of Manchester. The Manchester Central convention complex, Man Utd & Man City Football Stadiums are all within easy reach. Ideally located for the business and leisure traveller the hotel provides you with the gateway to what the city has to offer.

To book a table at Sweet Mandarin click here

As we indulge in our two days of summer, I can finally use that bit of pavement opposite Sweet Mandarin to cavort in a bit of al fresco Chinese at Sweet Mandarin. I love sitting outdoors when the weather is warm and dry…it feels like I’m on holiday somewhere exotic. I just need the ocean to dip my toes in.

Oh, is it Pimms O’Clock already?

I found the location for Sweet Mandarin in October 2004 when it was a derelict car park. I’d been sweet talked by the developers that the area was being regenerated and that the Crowne Plaza would be opening literally next door to our building – at most a five second walk door to door. So I signed the deal and have hung in there waiting and waiting and waiting for 5 long years. Finally, after surviving beyond the odds, last year, a shiny new building was errected and became our latest welcome neighbour.

The Crowne Plaza crew namely Bob and Robin are a very friendly bunch who have the same ethos as us; to deliver a great experience to mutual clients and make them feel at home from home. They go the extra mile, and have even done that for me. Not only do they recommend their clients dine with us (we welcome you with open arms), but Robin has been that knight in shining armour when I was stranded during the snow blizzards in Manchester (thanks to freak global warming weather).

The snow was as high as the car tyre and I could not travel left, right, front or back. I just created snow circles and screamed like a girl. So I gave up on wokmobile and decided to stay at the Crowne Plaza. What a treat. The room was modern, clean, immacuate with a touch of elegance and luxury. I loved the piles of fat fluffy pillows and the power shower in particular. The next day, I was having breakfast and Robin walked past and asked what I was doing in the Crowne Plaza given that I am a Mancunian. I explained. He smiled and nodded and went on with his duties. After a sumptuous big breakfast and a good glug of coffee, I went to pay. ‘The bill has been settled Lisa. Thank you.’ I couldn’t believe it. Robin had paid for my stay out of his allowances and wouldn’t allow me to pay. Now that’s what you call a knight in shining armour.

Here’s their website – book there, its an excellent experience – home away from home http://www.cpmanchester.com/ and whilst your staying at the Crowne Plaza, book a table at Sweet Mandarin here, pop around the corner to visit me at Sweet Mandarin. It would be great to meet you and personally welcome to Manchester. Because of Robin and his generosity in my time of need, The Crowne Plaza makes my #984 Sweet Nothing.