Louise. Lou. Loulabelle. Loulabelle44. Louby. loulabelle44@outlook.com.
Proudly blogging about Strictly Come Dancing ALL YEAR ROUND since 2006.
Wednesday, May 01, 2013
Sarah Harding: I Won't Dance, Don't Ask Me
Former Girls Aloud star Sarah Harding does not want to be approached for Strictly, saying she's not much of a dancer.
The Daily Express reports that Sarah told Star magazine:“I’m not a natural dancer so hopefully no one will ask me to go on Strictly. I’m more of the entertainer. Kimberley has been non-stop with the dancing. I don’t know how she got through that and the Girls Aloud tour. The rehearsals nearly killed me!”
Could Sir Bruce Forsyth be appearing in less episodes of Strictly this year? According to the Daily Star, Sir Bruce only wants to present the launch show, the semi-final and the final. His agent has been thrashing out a deal with producers. The paper also claims that the BBC is in talks with Tess Daly's husband Vernon Kay to take over from Sir Bruce.
Rebecca Adlington's name has been linked with Strictly since 2008, but now that she's retired from competitive swimming, she's keen to give the show a go.
The List reports that Rebecca said: "I'd definitely love to do [Strictly], oh my God. I'd be rubbish though - I can't dance! I don't want people to get the impression that I can because I really can't but I think it looks so much fun doesn't it? "It's nice to do something where you can learn something new, without a doubt. But I can't dance now, everyone takes the mickey out of how I dance because I dance like a mum."
Big congratulations to the gorgeous Karen Hauer, who got engaged to her dance partner Kevin Clifton last week. Kevin popped the question on stage at the end of their Burn The Floor performance. Here is a video of the magic moment. You may need tissues (I did!).
Rob Kardashian would like to take part in Strictly, and has approached producers to let them know.
A source told the Daily Star: “Rob had his people contact the BBC because he wants to be known in the UK for something other than his sisters and his relationship with Rita [Ora]. He’s confident bosses will want him because of the publicity it will bring. Plus he’d like to shed a few pounds.” Rob has already successfully competed on the US version of the show, coming second in Autumn 2011.
Vincent Simone and his partner Susan are expecting their second child. The Daily Mail reports that Vincent told Hello!: "We're very happy. We're very excited - I'm the happiest dad." Presuming Susan is around the 12-week mark, the baby would be due toward the end of the next series of Strictly.
Sir Bruce Forsyth has revealed that he wants to spend longer each year in his wife's native country - Puerto Rico - as the British winters are too cold. The Daily Mail reports that he told the Radio Times: "I don’t know why I come back to this stinking cold place.I’d contemplate just doing six months a year in this country. If this is going to be our regular winter, I’m going to vanish in October and come back at the end of May." And on being reminded about Strictly, he said: "Oh, yes... but we’ll forget about that."
Sir Bruce's comments have sparked rumours that he might be ready to leave Strictly Come Dancing.
Bruce Forsyth will meet with BBC producers next week to discuss his return, or not, to Strictly Come Dancing.
A source told the Dail Mail:"Our hope is he will want to continue with Strictly. We love him and want him to keep doing it, although we understand he has to make a decision he is comfortable with."
Brendan Cole: License To Thrill is the follow-up to Brendan's first tour Live & Unjudged. The feel and format of the show is very similar. Brendan introduces the dances, and talks a little bit about each. The show has a James Bond theme running through it. Brendan is partnered by French dancer Feuve Hautot, whom he lovingly refers to as 'Frenchie'. Brendan's brother Scott Cole is back, partnered by former Strictly showdancer Crystal Main. The final couple are Aussie Melanie Hooper, who joined L&U after Nicole Cutler left to have her daughter, and German Patrick Helm. Brendan's love of performing shines through all the way through the show. But I did find the show a little formulaic. Anton & Erin pioneered this type of show, but Brendan doesn't seem to have moved things on at all. The dancing is great, but as someone who has seen all of the shows with Strictly dancers, this show is not innovative. That said, the quality of the dancing is better than L&U. I felt that Brendan & Nicole totally outshone everyone else in that show. In LTT, the supporting cast is much slicker and evenly matched and it's possible to watch all the dancers during the group numbers, rather than just watching the leads. The first half is good - the quickstep is the stand out dance with all three couples darting around the floor - but it's the second half which is captivating. The standout number is the boys doing a cape work routine. It's brilliant. Brendan's recreation of The Time Of My Life is wonderfully performed, but it's been done to death, and I would prefer to see something more original. Equally, the company finish with a jive to Footloose, another dancers' staple. Despite this, License To Thrill is an entertaining night out, and Strictly fans will love the Q&A session in which Brendan answers questions frankly about his past partners (yes, Lulu, that means you), and anything else people want to ask about. The tour continues touring around the country until 9th March. I saw the show at the Barbican in London on 13th February 2013. Thank you to the nice folks at Tony Clayman Promotions.
Ballroom Dancer is a documentary film following professional competitor Slavik Kryklyvyy. Slavik was once on top of the world with Joanna Leunis, until a hip injury put him out of competition.
Ten years on, 34 year-old Slavik now wants to return to competition. He has a new partner, Anna Melnikova, and the pair are a couple off the floor as well as on. The film is really interesting. Slavik's drive is obvious. He lives to dance. He wants nothing but perfection from Anna, who has only recently made the jump from the amateur to the professional circuit. But he also has a tendency to brood and not let anyone, especially Anna, know what he is thinking. The film provides a real insight into the lives of a professional couple. The most interesting thing is how the couple's partnership evolves as their personal relationship changes. Some dancers produce their best work while their personal relationships are in turmoil (Vincent & Flavia's Kissing You waltz, for example). The best part is the way the film is produced. There is no narration, except excerpts from radio reports. We are left to just observe and absorb. The only extra on the DVD is the trailer, which you can watch here:
Ballroom Dancer was released on 11th February. Big thanks to the nice people at Dogwoof.
Here is a quick round-up of all the Strictly-related tours and shows which are going on now and in the near future:
Strictly Come Dancing: The Live Tour kicked off on Friday and will travel around the country until 10th February. Click here for dates and venues.
Anton & Erin Go To Hollywood started on Friday and travels the country until 17th March (which is Erin's birthday!). Click here for dates and venues.
Brendan Cole: Licence To Thrill began yesterday and travels around the country until 9th March. Click here for dates and venues.
Vincent & Flavia's Midnight Tango returns to London's West End from 30th January - 2nd March (with guest star Russell Grant), and then goes on tour around the country from 13th March - 3rd August. Click here for dates and venues.
Pasha & Katya will be touring again this year. They hit the road from 24th March - 21st May. Click here for dates and venues.
Burn The Floor featuring Robin, Kristina and Karen returns to London's West End from 6th March - 29th June (the show continues until 1st September, but Robin & Kristina will no longer appear). Click here for dates.
Finally, the new Strictly Confidential tour featuring Artem, Natalie, Ian and Lisa Riley visits various venues from 10th June - 4th August. Click here for dates and venues.
Strictly Come Dancing has once again made the short list in the Talent Show category at the National Television Awards. It's up against the usual suspects; Britain's Got Talent, The Voice UK, The X Factor and Dancing On Ice.
Lots of congratualtions on the Strictly front over the Christmas break.
Former Strictly champion Harry Judd married girlfriend Izzy Johnston on 21st December. Harry has admitted he couldn't sleep the night before the wedding - because of their first dance which had been choreographed by Ian Waite. Strictly announcer Alan Dedicoat even recorded a special introduction for them: "Live from St Michael’s Manor, performing an American Smooth, Izzy Judd and her dance partner, Harry Judd." The full story is in this week's Hello!.
Brendan Cole and his wife Zoe welcomed their new baby daughter Aurelia into the world on Christmas Day. Brendan tweeted: "My wonderful wife & I had the best Christmas present ever. Our baby daughter arrived on Christmas Day. Zoe & Baby doing great! Very precious."
Len Goodman married his long-term partner Sue on 30th December in a ceremony attended by 30 family members and friends. Len said : "I've had a marvelous day, and now my gorgeous Sue is the new Mrs. Goodman. She's gorgeous and makes me very happy -- though she likes to stay out of the limelight. It was a complete surprise to my friends and family today and we've had a fabulous time."
Former Stricty Judge Arelene Phillips was made a CBE in this year's New Year's Honours. She was recognised for for her services to dance.
And finally, Flavia Cacace and Jimi Mistry have announced their engagement. Flavia tweeted the news on Saturday: "all I need to say is @JimiMistry has made me the happiest girl in the world. Xxxx #engaged"
Congratulations to everyone involved. Wonderful news all round.
I know it's a cliche and everyone has said it already, but I really do think this was one of the closest finals ever. You really didn't know which way the result was going to go. All of the couples had dances I liked and dances I didn't.
Judges' Pick
It's hard to find things to say about these dances, since we'd seen them before...
Denise &James' reprise of the jive was lively, energetic and flawless. Denise is such a clean dancer. She did a brilliant job once again.
Dani &Vincent's tango had lots of heel leads for Len. Dani's swivels were lovely. I agreed with Bruno that it was a bit wobbly and not as strong as we usually see from her. Perhaps the nerves and the desire to win got the better of her.
Kimberley &Pasha's Viennese waltz was better than last time. It was elegant, and there is no doubt that her topline has improved. She looked as though she might lose it when she was nearly garroted by her dress, but she recovered well.
I liked Louis &Flavia's salsa better this time. There was more armography. Louis' slightly cocky manner totally suited the dance. He went for it a bit more, which was good to see.
Showdances
The showdance is hyped up so much that sometimes they can be a disappointment.
Denise &James' showdance was certainly not a disappointment. It had absolutely phenomenal lifts. The best lift's we've ever seen from a celebrity. I didn't really like the bits in hold, though. Denise looked a bit stiff. Maybe it was just her flat shoes that made it look odd, I don't know. The routine really showed the trust Denise has in James. A great partnership.
Dani &Vincent's routine was nice, but didn't have the 'wow' factor of Denise & James'. Vinent's show dance with Rachel was also a bit of a let-down - he just doesn't seem to get it quite right. But you have to give credit to Vincent for basing the routine on the two styles Dani had not performed - paso and rumba. The routine was very nice and was well danced. It made me really wish we'd seen Dani do a full paso routine. It seemed to really suit her.
I liked the lifts at the beginning of Kimberley &Pasha's routine. It was a nice routine, but I found it all a bit messy. Kimberley wasn't quite 'sext' enough for me. I feel like she is Beyonce in mind, but not in body. She did go for it and gave it everything, so you have to applaud her for that.
I really liked Louis &Flavia's showdance. It wasn't as flashy as Denise & James', but it had impressive lifts and a good mix of steps. I liked the mix of rumba and Argentine tango. I loved the lift into a fall at the beginning. Very lyrical. It was pitched perfectly.
I was sorry to see Dani in 4th place. I really liked Dani & Vincent, and I really thought that it would be Denise to go first. I guess the public finally gave Denise some credit after the show dance and decided to vote for her.
Favourite Dance
I liked Denise &James' Charleston better on a smaller stage. It was very clean and neat. A top quality performance once again.
Kimberley &Pasha's tango performance was excellent. It was passionate. Kimberley danced for her life. It had such strength and resistance. I loved it. It demonstrated how much Kimberley has blossomed as a dancer.
Louis & Flavia performed their Charleston well. No better or worse than last time. It's not the dance I would have chosen if I were them, but I wasn't too keen on it the first time around.
If I am honest, I would have preferred one of the girls to win. I never really warmed to Louis and found his lack of personality on the floor quite tiresome. I wanted him to stop being so cool and embrace the show. The Charleston was as close as he came, but that felt too forced for me.
That said, I did really enjoy Louis & Flavia's showdance, and Flavia deserves to have a glitterball. She's an excellent choreographer and she and Louis seemed to work efficiently together. It was nice for Louis to end 2012 with a gold.
