Does anyone know why the tour doesn't come to Belfast anymore? I feel that we have as much right to see it live as the rest of the UK and it was alway's sold out aswell.

Well they skipped Glasgow for a few years so maybe they couldnt get the arena?
You could always travel?

I know a few people from Belfast that have stopped watching the show because of it not coming.

Would love it to come to Dublin seeing as it is also shown here on TV3.

well thats just being petty and childish

They cant do every venue every year, even Wembley only has one date this year so London only gets 2 shows this year.

Theres a few helpful inventions called planes, boats, trains and buses that may help. Have used all of these to make sure I get to see the show over the years.

I have to travel to see the show every year, even went to Belfast the last 2 years it was there, if you really want to see something you'll make the effort.

To be fair, Tracey, not everyonecan afford to come over from Ireland to the mainland to see a show.
Although, I do agree it seems childish to stop watching just because you can't see the tour live.

I'd be tempted to agree - BUT not everyone can afford to travel a long way, and possibly book overnight accomodation, and of course the show tickets themselves aren't that cheap. It can become more pricey than a holiday!

I do try and travel a bit for my interests (ice skating included), but sometimes it can be impractical.

If I didnt travel Id never see anything much. Just needs to be planned carefully ot get the best deals ie Travelodge sale is coming up so chance of cheap rooms.
First time I went to Belfast we used 4 different airports to get the best deals Blackpool to belfast Int, then Belfast City to Liverpool to get back then train to Blackpool

totally agree. i live in ireland in a small town about 45 mins from belfast. i wouldnt see anything if i didnt travel!! we do that aswell but because my mum works we can only go on weekends (i cant really go on my own as im not very good on my own in an area i dont know especially at night)

if matthew does the tour this year i would love to go but there is nowhere decent enough on a weekend date and i would imagine most dates would be sold out by now.

As others have said fares, whether by air or sea aren't cheap. Add to that return travel from airport or ferry terminal to hotel plus a possible return journey from hotel to arena. Then of course meals have to be paid for and taking into account ticket prices the costs mount up considerably.

I've just looked online for a return ferry from Belfast to Liverpool; without car this would be £90 - with car £234 Even sharing a car would work out at £145 each plus of course the incidentals listed above.

Flights cost less but the distance from the airport to the arena is considerably more than the distance from the ferry terminal so that return journey would need to be factored in.

All in all the overall package is pretty costly - particularly for those with limited funds.

Incidentally Tracy, why did you need to go to Belfast for the tour?

In fact it only visited Belfast in 2007, 2009 and 2010. In 2007 you could have seen the show in Manchester; 2008 in Liverpool and 2010 again in Manchester - neither city is very far from Blackpool.

Funny enough I always thought the idea of a touring show was that they toured not the people going to see the show!

I travelled 2 hour to Belfast then back again to see shows / concerts or 4 hours if the show is in Dublin only but that is my choice.

Paying for buses, flights and accommodation makes it far too expensive for most people to go and see DOI not to mention most people work weekdays so would have to go on weekend dates when accommodation and flights are more expensive.

I watch the show and have since the start but have to admit I'm more interested when I know I am going to seeing the tour.

I know what you mean, but think the idea of the show touring is that they tour nearer to where you are. In some cases it's nearer than others though.

It does make you look forward to going to a tour date(s) watching on TV, but I wouldn't give up watching even if I didn't get a ticket. I'd just suffer for that, and what would be the point?!

I chose to go to Belfast as it was the last dates of the tour, I usually attend several venues during the tour, at the start, middle and end of tour to see how everyones progressed.

2007 I still lived in Scotland which was the year the last Glasgow shows were cancelled, I had been lucky to be there the day before but was also meant to be at the cancelled shows, I have been at Manchester every year for the tour, dont really like the venue much though and hate Manchester. Also went to Liverpool the year they were there too.

You're clearly a very avid fan Tracey - and willing to spend a considerable sum in following the tour, but my point is that you have a choice - those who live in Northern Ireland and those with limited income don't have the luxury of similar options; it's travel or miss out and why do you to judge others by the time and money you are prepared to spend?

So in 2007 you saw the show in Scotland - no need for the Belfast journey then.

Didnt go to Belfast in 2007 as it wasnt the start or end of the tour, tour ended in Newcastle so went there.

There is just 1 problem and that is the amount of money it would cost to travel. And besides if Strictly can come to Belfast every year than why can't Dancing On Ice?

Same reason DOI hasnt done Glasgow for ages the VENUE may not be available. They cant magic a suitable venue out of thin air IF the venue is not available at the dates they need then how can they go to Belfast???

Im sure its NOT personal its just logistics no venue NO show.

The odyssey is available for dates in April or in May. Yes there are other shows on but there is plenty of room for doi tour if they wanted to come. The odyssey is an ice rink therefore built in the round therefore probably one of the most suitable venues for doi

Well maybe they decided to give Scotland a chance this year instead since they havent been there since 2007. Scotland only had the show one year and some of those dates were cancelled, Belfast has had the tour 3 yrs, time for other fans to get a chance to see the show that maybe cant travel

Or they could added dates in Wales who don't get dates either and Belfast and extend the tour by a week but they didn't. It shouldn't be a either/or situation. Obviously they can't please everyone but Belfast didn't have dates last year either and there is a demand.

[quote=TraceyUK;56393214]Well maybe they decided to give Scotland a chance this year instead since they havent been there since 2007. Scotland only had the show one year and some of those dates were cancelled, Belfast has had the tour 3 yrs, time for other fans to get a chance to see the show that maybe cant travel[/QUOTE]

You've changed your tune a bit Tracey - earlier in the thread this is what you said.


Are you now acknowledging that for various reasons, be it finance, family or work commitments, some DOI enthusiasts just cannot travel to the available venues.

Those who can see even one show, let alone several (as you do) are not really qualified to comment on the difficulties encountered by others in a less fortunate position.i

strictly has only come here twice (and 3 after this year). before the first time it came it had never been here

It does seem to be down to arena avilability, they used to do Wembley and the O2 in London and both for 4 days each, last year it was four days at Wembley only and this year again its Wembley only and instead of the normal 4 days its down to 1 day