REMEMBERING Fred will dance its way into York next spring with Strictly Come Dancing duo Janette Manrara and Aljaz Skorjanec leading the celebration of Fred Astaire.

This new touring show from Steven Howard, producer of Darcey Bussell and Katherine Jenkins' 2008 song and dance extravaganza Viva La Diva, will play the Grand Opera House on May 17 2017.

Janette and Aljaz and a supporting cast of dancers, a live band and singers will step back in time to relive special moments from Fred Astaire's career in the golden age of Hollywood’s most celebrated dance routines.

In a night of dance, live music and reminiscences, the audience also will hear the recorded thoughts of famous Fred fans such as Twiggy, Darcey Bussell, Don Black and Bruce Oldfield, telling stories of how the screen icon touched their lives and reflecting on what made him so special.

The show promises a "magical evening of top hat, white tie and wonderful tales" featuring classics from the American Songbook by George & Ira Gershwin, Irving Berlin and Cole Porter. Among those songs will be They Can’t Take That Away From Me, Night And Day, S’Wonderful, Cheek To Cheek, Puttin’ On The Ritz, Let’s Face The Music And Dance, The Way You Look Tonight and Top Hat, White Tie And Tails.

“Fred Astaire is an inspiration to every dancer we know," say Janette and Aljaz. "We are excited to be headlining a show paying tribute to this unique Hollywood legend. We will celebrate his dance, his choreography, his most memorable songs and films, as well as his poise and elegance and what made this man such an icon of the 20th century. And just like Fred, we will be doing it big, doing it right and doing it with style!”

Tickets for the 7.30pm performance of Remembering Fred are on sale at £20.75 to £56.25 on 0844 871 3024 or at atgtickets.com/york