GLASGOW is putting on its gladrags, shining up its shoes and stepping out as dance fever grips the city.

More than 27,000 people will descend on the SECC this weekend as Strictly Come Dancing, the live version of the hit BBC TV show, arrives in town. Where you can learn the steps DANCE HOUSE Classes in American smooth, ballroom basics, jive and Latin, held at the Scottish Youth Theatre in the Merchant City. 552 2442, www.dancehouse.org

DANCE WITH ATTITUDE The Scotstoun studios and cafe runs classes for adults and kids. 1120 South Street, 581 3401, www.dancewithattitude.net

DEESDANCING Ballroom and Latin dance styles for adults and children. Classes in Newlands, Cumbernauld, Partick, East Kilbride and Paisley (children only). 639 8300 or www.deesdancing.co.uk

McKINNIE SCHOOL OF DANCING Amateur dancers attend weekly classes at St Peter's Hall in Laighstonhall, Hamilton and at Bothwell Parish Church Centre. 01698 458386 or www.mckinnieschoolofdance.co.uk

SALSA FITNESS SJ Fitness operates a weekly salsa class open to all ages and fitness levels. The 60-minute class takes place on Fridays at 5.30pm at Partick Burgh Hall. 221 2332 or www.sjfitness.com

TANGO IN GLASGOW Website listings tango classes for beginners and improvers. www.tangoglasgow.org.uk

1ST2DANCE BALLROOM DANCING Traditional tuition in Renfrew, Paisley and Johnstone. 886 1565/www.1st2dance.co.uk

Pop star Rachel Stevens, rugby player Kenny Logan and actresses Cherie Lunghi and Jill Halfpenny are among those taking part.

And as Health Secretary Alan Johnson MP encouraged more people to follow John Sergeant's lead, local dance instructors are already finding the city is one step ahead.

Karen Pasi, founder of the Dance With Attitude studios in Scotstoun, said: "Dancing releases a lot of natural endorphins - they're your happy hormones.

"It makes you fit, you start to lose weight, and when you reach your goals it encourages you so much."

Johnson, who plans to create a Government dance working group' to examine how to get us all grooving, said: "The point about dance is you don't have to be a professional.

"You don't have to be brilliant on your feet but it gets you moving and that is what all of us need."

Johnson believes dancing could be an unlikely tool in the fight to reverse the nation's appalling health statistics, with an estimated one in five adults in Scotland classified as clinically obese.

A sedate waltz burns around 300 calories an hour, while an upbeat salsa or breakdance can shift as many as 700 calories in 60 minutes.

"The beauty of dance is that you're exercising but you don't even realise you're doing it a lot of the time - you're so engrossed in it," adds Karen, who has around 80-100 amateur dancers attending nightly classes.

The success of Strictly has seen a new generation of dancers keen to rise to the challenge.

The Dance House company, in the Merchant City runs over 50 sessions every week, and has slotted in a second beginners' ballroom class to cope with demand.

Their education and outreach worker Sheila McCubbin says: "There is a big upsurge in the popularity of dance for spectators, and if you can get people to spectate, then there's the chance they will say I'd like to have a shot at that.

"People prefer to do a dance class as opposed to the gym."

That is, unless you're one of the eight celebrities involved in the 45-date UK tour of Strictly and thus facing the criticisms of judges and audiences every night.

Personalities from the worlds of TV, sport, music and fashion will again shake their tail feathers to recreate the magic of the TV show.

It takes 13 lorries and a crew of 70 to transport the set, comprising nine glitterballs, six chandeliers and a 1000-panel portable parquet ballroom dancefloor.

The live show mirrors the TV series: each couple dances one Latin and one ballroom dance, followed by scores from judges Len Goodman, Arlene Phillips, Craig Revel Horwood and Bruno Tonioli, then, during the interval, the audience vote for their favourite act.

Expect Kenny Logan to be in fine kilted form as class clown, Flavia and Vincent to sizzle in the Argentine tango, and Vincent and Rachel to recreate their steamiest of rumbas.

While the tandoori tans and waxed chests will be out in force, the live show will be missing one thing - the snake-hipped John Sergeant.

Now, if they nominated him as government dance tsar, he'd get my vote. Strictly Come Dancing Live is at the SECC from Thursday until Sunday. Tickets £55 and £42.50 (plus booking fee) from 0844 395 4000. Kenny Logan and Ola Jordan will give a one-off free performance in the atrium of Princes Square on Friday at 11am. Cherie Lunghi Tom Chambers Jodie Kidd John Sergeant Celebrity/professional pairings

WHO'S who in the celebrity-professional pairings taking to the stage in Glasgow.

JILL HALFPENNY AND DARREN BENNETT Series Two's winning couple are reunited for bounciest jive on record.

JULIAN CLARY AND LILIA KOPYLOVA Comic Julian is paired with the sexy Russian minx who won Series Three with cricketer Darren Gough.

GETHIN JONES AND FLAVIA CACACE Former Blue Peter presenter becomes the butt' of many jokes, teaming up with Argentine tango specialist Flavia.

KENNY LOGAN AND OLA JORDAN Rugby braveheart Logan puts a kilt on the Paso and waltzes to Flower of Scotland, much to the amusement of his Polish professional partner.

JODIE KIDD AND IAN WAITE The tallest couple of all six series sees model Jodie looking statuesque in ballroom - and struggling in Latin.

RACHEL STEVENS WITH VINCENT SIMONE Having created Strictly's rauchiest rumba, pint-sized performers Rachel and Vincent are back in each other's arms.

CHERIE LUNGHI AND JAMES JORDAN Strictly grand dame who gave the young-uns a run for their money returns with outspoken James.

TOM CHAMBERS WITH CAMILLA DALLERUP Series Six winner and Holby City star pairs up with Danish beauty Camilla, who has announced she's leaving the TV series.

MATTHEW CUTLER AND KRISTINA RIHANOFF A professional pairing to perform in group dances. Matthew won Series Five with Alesha Dixon, while no one will forget Kristina being dragged along the dancefloor by John Sergeant in the last series.