The Search For The Next Arlene

The BBC has commissioned a programme to find dancers to form a Hot Gossip-style dance troupe for the naughties.

According to The Sun, Dance X will feature former Hot Gossip dancer Arlene Phillips and fellow Strictly panellist Bruno Tonioli as judges and will fill the hole left by Strictly Dance Fever.

Ian Goes Shopping

A few weeks ago, Ian Waite was at the grand opening of a brand new dancewear shop, The Dance-In Shop, in Newbury, Berkshire.

Ian danced with fans and signed autographs.

Lesson 10

Anton was off filming somewhere this week, so our class was taken by accomplished amateur ballroom couple Matthew and Anna.

We went right back to basics this week, doing waltz, rumba and cha cha. The great thing about the lesson was that Matt & Anna concentrated on technique - rise and fall in the waltz and hip action in the latin dances.

There seemed to be a lot of new people this week - about three couples - which meant there was less space in class than we've become used to.

I'm not sure I'm going to be there next week, and then we have another bank holiday. So I might not dance again until 14th May. That's another three-week gap! Rubbish!

Anton: "I Can Never Remember How Old I Am"

Anton has given a fabulous interview to The Scotsman. The interview covers a range of topics including The Underdog Show, Simply Ballroom, starting out as a dancer, his partnership with Erin, his age and his forthcoming book. Anton was on his usual form...

On Toyah Wilcox, his co-panellist on Through The Keyhole: "I spent many hours with Toyah when I was younger - in my imagination. When I saw her I wanted to give her a big kiss but had to settle for a small kiss."

On Lesley Garrett's half an hour comment: "Some women get a bit greedy and want 45 minutes but I won't allow it - I don't have the time."

On his age: "I was 28 the other week. But I've got a terrible memory. I can never remember how old I am."

On his book: "It'll be called Anton's Dance Lesson or something - which is due out in September."

If you enjoy this interview, I also recommend the interview he gave to RainbowNetwork.com back in December.

Blokes Don't Dance

There was quite a funny little column by Christian O'Connell in The Sunday Times this week.

In it, he expresses his dismay at the sudden need for men to be able to dance, spawned by shows like Strictly Come Dancing and Dancing On Ice, which he describes as an "erosion of masculinity".

"Dancing when you’re sober is a bit like borrowing a friend’s trunks to go swimming. It’s legal but you feel ashamed every time you do it."

Lesson 9

Monday was my first lesson in three weeks! I missed a lesson because I went to see Aled Jones in concert, and then it was Easter, so I was itching to get back to it.

We started with the tango, which I adore. Also, I'd heard from Zoe that they'd done tango when I was away and I was gutted, so I was pleased to hear that we'd be doing it.

We progressed the tango around the floor, which was excellent and so enjoyable.

We then did a bit of jive, with lots of flick ball-changes. Ding dong!

The classes seem to be getting smaller, probably becuase the Strictly rush has worn off and the nicer weather is coming. But I think it's better that way. We have more room in class to move about and not tread on the person behind!

I think I'd like to have a go at paso doble now...

Clairey Bear - if you're reading, you so need to come to the class with me sometime. You'll love it! You can bring Tim too.

Dancing With The Posh?

According to a report in yesterday's Sun, ABC producers want Victoria Beckham for the next series of Dancing With The Stars.

A source at the US network said “We really want Victoria. She’s not very popular right now, like Heather wasn’t. That’s why she’d be perfect."

The Sun article also suggests that BBC Three are trying to acquire the rights to the US series.

Eurovision Dance Contest

I first heard about the Eurovision Dance Contest back in January.

The BBC have now issued a press release with a little more detail.

The two-hour show will be hosted by Graham Norton, who is used to dance shows after two series of Strictly Dance Fever. Twelve other countries will participate along side the UK - Austria, Denmark, Finland, Germany, Ireland, Netherlands, Portugal, Russia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, the Ukraine.

Each couple will perform a latin or ballroom, and a freestyle to reflect their country's culture and customs.

As with the song contest, public televoting will decide the result.

I hope that there will be a Making Your Mind Up-style show to choose the UK couple. That would be a fantastic show.

I can't wait for more details to emerge.

The Underdog Show: Week 3

Week 3 wasn't Anton and Ginger's strongest performance. But they were not the weakest pair in the competition.

But, just like Strictly, it's not always the weakest performer who gets voted off. It seems Anton and Ginger's fancy footwork was no match for those sweet puppy-dog eyes. And Casper is quite cute too!

Yes, it seems Huey and Casper have won the hearts and the backing of the GBP (Great British Public for those not in the know), and at Anton and Ginger's expense.

Here's hoping that Ginger finds a loving family to spend his life with from now on.

BallroomDancers.com

I would not have come across BallroomDancers.com, had it not been talked about on Steve Wright's Radio 2 show last week.

This American site has all kinds of good stuff, including video tutorials, message boards, online shop and much more.

Strictly No Heather

After last week's report that Bruno was recommending Heather Mills for SCD5, the BBC have said that she will not be invited to participate.

DigitalSpy quotes a Daily Star Sunday report in which a source told the paper that the producers feel Mills is a bit unpopular in the UK and not a good candidate.

DigitalSpy also quotes a BBC spokesman who states: "I can categorically say Heather Mills McCartney will not be on the show."

Craig Makes Waves

Craig Revel Horwood has only just joined the judging panel on New Zealand's Dancing With The Stars, and he's already causing controversy. Although it's nothing that British viewers aren't used to.

Stuff.co.nz reports some of the lovely things Craig said this week...

To broadcaster Paul Holmes: "Your right hand was spread like a big old bunch of bananas, which is really, really ugly ... and the end for me was just a bit cold and desperate."

To Wanganui mayor Michael Laws: "It was completely flat-footed all the way through, pigeon-toed in most places, you are raising your shoulders, your mouth was gaping open, catching blowflies."

Let's Talk!

If you live anywhere near Norfolk, make sure you pick up a copy of May's Let's Talk! magazine, which has Anton du Beke as its cover star, and features an interview with the man himself.

Craig Sings!

If you missed Craig Revel Horwood's rendition of I Am What I Am on Comic Relief Does Fame Academy on BBC Three, here it is. Poor Craig looks much more worried than he did singing on ITT.

Thanks to KatieP for posting.

YouTube'll Fix It

Did you miss Ian Waite's appearance on Jim'll Fix It Strikes Again! on UKTV Gold?

Fear not! YouTube user DancinJules to the rescue.

Bruno Supports Heather For SCD

Bruno Tonioli has suggested that Heather Mills would make a good Strictly contestant, even though she is currently appearing on the US version of the show.

According to ContactMusic.com, Bruno thinks Heather would be an asset to the show.

"She's a brilliant dancer and far braver than most of the stars on the show. Nothing fazes her. I think she'd be great on the UK version and I've told my bosses my thoughts on that."

Joe Calzaghe: "I Told Them, No Way"

Super-middleweight boxer Joe Calzaghe is the latest celebrity to admit turning down Strictly Come Dancing.

According to The Times, Calzaghe decided it wasn't for him.

"I don't watch that reality TV stuff, it drives me nutty. I was invited to do Strictly Come Dancing once. I can't dance. I told them, no way."

Jim'll Fix It Strikes Again

Jim'll Fix It is back with a new chair and new Fix Its.

Jim'll Fix It Strikes Again starts on Thursday (5th April) at 10pm on UKTV Gold. Ian Waite will be apearing on the show as part of one of the new Fix Its. It's very special, so remember to tune in.

Zoe Ball: Just Say The Word

Zoe Ball has admitted that she'd love to step into Tess Daly's shoes if she wanted to quit SCD.

According to What's On TV, she'd also like to have a go at Dancing On Ice, but thinks she's too tall and heavy.

"If Tess Daly suddenly decided she didn't want to present Strictly Come Dancing, then I would be chomping at the bit because I love the show".

I think Tess does a great job on SCD, but if she were to leave the show, I think Zoe would be a great choice to replace her.

Dance Today

Yes, I know the March issue of Dance Today is about to be heading for the recycling bin, but in case you missed it, James & Ola are March's cover stars.

England Fans Are The New Arlenes

Why does everyone blame 'reality' TV for everything these days?

It seems that after the Church had a go at SCD at others the other week, it's now Sir Alex Ferguson's turn to use 'reality' TV as a scapegoat.

According to The Guardian, Ferguson says that SCD and shows like it have created a "mocking culture" which has caused problems for struggling England manager Steve McClaren.

"You see it on all these TV shows where the panellists criticise the contestants. There's a mocking industry now and it's even generated by television programmes. Even when they skate, the panel then criticises them."

"It's just a mocking culture we've got so when [football supporters] see that [on television] they mock the manager, they ridicule him. It's hard to take. It's very wrong and makes it very, very difficult."

Frankly, I think this is taking things too far. Football fans have always been critical of managers, especially when things are not going well for the team in question. The criticism of managers probably feels worse these days. Instead of having just journalists and a couple of fanzines to worry about, now everyone with a PC can express their opinion. But I hardly think the criticisms of our beloved panels can be blamed for the criticism of McClaren.

Perhaps, instead of blaming TV, Sir Alex should spend his time giving McClaren some advice and stop belly-aching about giving up players for England duty.

Adele Silva: "We Went On A Few Dates"

Adele Silva was in today's Sunday Mirror, talking about her love life, including her short-lived relationship with Brendan.

"We went on a few dates. I was still single - I didn't want anything serious. That was never going to happen. It was just a very flattering rebound."

I was impressed by this piece of Mirror journalism. They managed to have an article mentioning Brendan without talking about Series 1 of SCD. Perhaps Fleet Street has finally moved on...