I won't be lured of the dance

Jig is up for superhoofer as he books 3Arena gig

- BY SANDRA MALLON

MICHAEL Flatley has poured cold water on returning to the stage as he announced his hit show Lord of the Dance is set for a 30th anniversary tour.

Since its premiere in 1996, Lord of the Dance has dazzled over 60million people across 60 countries, earning standing ovations from Dublin to Dubai, London to Las Vegas.

And in 2026, the show will return with its 30th Anniversary Live tour - a reimagined celebration that pushes the boundaries once again.

Fans can expect thrilling new choreography, state-of-the-art staging, spectacular lighting and special effects, and the same heartbeatpounding energy that made the original production a sensation.

At a packed press conference yesterday morning, Flatley said: "After 30 years I'm delighted and honoured to be back in Dublin.

"You may or may not be aware that it was Peter Aiken's father Jim who gave me my start in this business, when everybody else left me for dead, when there was seemingly no chance to get up off the canvas, Big Jim stood by me, and he was the biggest name of the business.

"And I'm proud to say we have the greatest dance team in the world, and, for 30 years, we've been getting standing ovations all around the world, representing Ireland to the best of our ability in a positive light, and bringing a little bit of joy everywhere. I'm very blessed in life that I'm in the 'joy' business.