Anton & Erin In Dukinfield

I finally attended my first dinner dance event on Friday. My friend Clairey and I went to see Anton & Erin perform at Dukinfield Town Hall, Lancashire.

As we arrived, it was wonderful to see all the people in their evening wear. We were given a glass of bubbles on arrival. We decided to skip the queue for portraits, and headed inside to be seated. We were the last people to arrive at Table 12. Nicola, Andrea, Bev, Zoe and her mum, Ciara and Jack were already there, and all looked so glamorous.





Dinner was served shortly soon after, but I had totally lost my appetite. I was more excited than I imagined I would be. The anticipation of seeing Anton & Erin perform in such an intimate location… well, as intimate as it gets with 100 or so people… was fantastic.

Finally Paul Donahey, the evening’s organiser, took to the stage to introduce the stars of the show.

Anton & Erin performed an American smooth, which was fabulous. They did their tango to O Fortuna, which had only been seen before at Simply Ballroom a couple of weeks before. Of course, their whole showcase was breath-taking. I was desperately to take it all in, but it was all over too quickly.

After their showcase was over, the lights went down and the social dancing started. Nicola & Jack hit the floor a couple of times and looked great. I was so envious of all the dancers who seemed to be having a great time. I so desperately with I had a social dance partner of my own.



We were called up table by table to have photos taken with Anton & Erin. They both looked stunning.

I did get to dance at one point, for a line dance. It was pretty easy to pick up, and I enjoyed being on the floor at last.

Once Anton & Erin had completed their duties, we were able to give Anton his belated birthday present. Erin had been tipped off much earlier, and knew what we had planned so she made sure he would be around. Andrea and Nicola had put together a collage of everyone’s photos with Anton. It was framed and looked really good. Anton seemed to appreciate it.





After he’d opened his pressie, it was time for Anton & Erin to disappear into the night.



I had an amazing night, much better than I could have imagined. It was made all the better for the fantastic company we had at our table. I have met some wonderful people through this dancing lark, and I’m so pleased to call them all my friends.

Back at the hotel bar, Ciara and I got chatting to a wonderful couple called Alan & Tracy. The perfect evening was rounded off by watching them demonstrate loads of sequences and dances, and having a go ourselves too.

I can’t wait for the next time…

DanceX: Week 3

I liked Team Arlene’s routine to They, I thought the choreography was excellent. But Team Bruno were better performers.

The singing numbers still leave me cold. If I wanted to watch a singing competition, I would watch that drivel on ITV1 in the autumn. Of course, Team Bruno were the better singing group, because Claire carries them on the singing, even if she doesn’t pull her weight as a dancer. I don’t buy Emanuel as a lead singer yet in Team Arlene.

I was as shocked as everyone else that Team Arlene came out on top.

I totally disagreed with Bruno’s decision to axe Becky in favour of Daniele. I know exactly why he did it. It’s much easier to choreograph three boys and three girls than two boys and four girls. But Becky was a much stronger dancer in my opinion. Still, what would a dance show be without controversy?

Smiling Bruno Or The Wicked Witch?

The Manchester Evening News has yet another interview with Arlene talking about DanceX.

There isn't a lot new here, although she wonders how the viewers will choose between the two troupes.

"They're probably going to be neck and neck so what's going to make them choose? I think they're going to vote for lovely smiling Bruno over the wicked witch of the west!"

Lesson 19

We did the tango again this week, although we didn't take it as far because we had a couple of newbies. I love tango!!

Then we did a bit of cha cha. What we learned was all new to me, so it was fun. I'm really starting to think that I should stay for the second class, but I have a fear that it is so much more advanced. Maybe I'll brave it when I have company...

And I still need to get some latin sandals, but I cannot decide what brand or what style. I looked in the window of Duo Dance on Sunday. They seem to be a mainly Supadance stockist, although they did have others. But I have heard so many mixed reviews about Supadance, I don't know about them. Being my first pair, I feel as though I should try on lots of brands and see which type feel best. It's so difficult...

DanceX: Week 2

OK, I have to admit that I was watching DanceX in a distracted fashion this week, yelling at the TV with the girls from my class at WDS.

We were rather underwhelmed with the whole thing. The boys were a bit dull and samey. The girls were better, but we didn't really see any dancing from Camilla (as she was on skates) and Claire (who stood around with Emanuel and barely danced a step), which probably explains why they ended up in the bottom four.

The show flummoxed me on several occasions. For us, the standout among the wallpaper of the boys was Marquelle. We could not believe that he was third pick! And then Claire was saved from the chop. Yes, she has a nice voice, but I was under the impression that this was a dance contest. For a series that has been billed and advertised as a dance show, I'm beginning to tire of the emphasis on singing. You can bury a weaker singer, but a weaker dancer is much harder to cover up.

There was no doubt that Rana was the strongest of the girls.

I shall be interested to see how they all fare when they are taken outside of their comfort zones and have to learn some complex choreography.

The Bruno vs Arlene pantomime is keeping me mildly amused, but I'm sure that will get old quickly.

I'm going to stick with it for now. I've committed to two weeks, so there's no turning back now! But I might be catching the BBC Three repeat (11.35pm) in favour of Baby Ballroom on ITV1 (6.25pm).

Don't agree with me? Want a second opinion? Then check out Scott Matthewman's review on The Stage's TV blog, TV Today.

Baby Ballroom: The Championship Starts On Saturday

This week ITV1 tries to out-do the BBC at its own game with the launch of Baby Ballroom: The Championship.

Twelve juvenile couples will compete for the chance to be crowned Baby Ballroom Champions. There are two heats of six couples, and viewers will decide the final result in show 3. The show is presented by Kate Thornton.

The judging panel consists of dancer and actress Bonnie Langford, X Factor finalist Raymond Quinn (who, according to his bio, was once ranked No. 1 in the country for U12s ballroom and latin) and Pierre Dulaine, who was the inspiration for the film Take The Lead.

If the website is anything to go by, it actually looks like a winner. It will be interesting to see how it fares, as it is scheduled against DanceX.

If you want to chat about the show, The Blue Room has already set up a Baby Ballroom forum.

Salsa With Len

This Saturday, Len Goodman will be leading a record attempt for the most people to salsa in one place.

To be a part of the record attempt, head for the Big Day Out in Gravesend, Kent. Len will be leading the salsa on the main stage at 6pm.

Bruno Takes DanceX Across The Pond

US television network ABC has announced plans for a US version of DanceX.

According to Variety, Bruno will remain as one judge and will be joined by fellow DWTS judge Carrie Ann Inaba, who replaces Arlene Phillips.

The show will be produced by BBC Worldwide, and is set to debut in January. So no doubt this means another Autumn of to-ing and fro-ing to the US for Bruno.

Lesson 18

It was great to get back to it this week, after missing a class and having a class cancelled.

We started with tango this week, which I was chuffed about. We hadn't done tango for a fair while. We was quite involved too, considering there were a few newbies in the lesson. It was great, except Anton stuck a lock-step in where he wouldn't normally do. It kept throwing me!

We followed the tango with a bit of jive. I must admit, jive is not my first love, but it's fun. We started slowly, but when done to speed it was quite hard.

It was so good to be back.

Louis Was Going To Be A Contestant

There was a story doing the rounds a month ago that Louis Walsh was offered a job as a judge on Strictly Come Dancing. This supposedly prompted Simon Cowell to re-hire the man he'd fired back to The X Factor.

Now 24dash.com reports an interview Walsh gave to Heat magazine, which says he was approached to be a Strictly participant, not a judge.

I haven't seen Heat myself, so I can't be sure if 24dash is mistaken or correct.

The Stage Reviews DanceX

There is a review of Saturday's DanceX on The Stage's website.

The review made me realise that perhaps I should have watched DanceXtra on BBC3.

I think the review is pretty fair. It highlights the similarities with The X Factor et al, which, let's face it, were as subtle as a brick.

My favourite comment in the review is: "And of course, we have the now-obligatory “Oh, I was wrong, we missed someone out” moment, resulting in the glorious sight of Arlene Phillips slumming it in Skegness (and visibly hating every second)."

More Eurovision Entries Selected

According to ESCKaz.com, more Eurovision Dance Contest entries have been selected.

Greece have announced that Ourania Koliou & Spiridon Pavlidis will represent them.

Poland have selected Katarzyna Cichopek & Marcin Hakiel, winners of their version of Strictly. They have released a Natasha & Brendan-esque DVD in Poland.

Portugese TV host Sonia Araujo now has a partner - Ricardo Silva.

Amagoya Benlloch & Abraham Martinez will represent Spain.

Switzerland have selected ice skater Denise Biellmann & professional dancer Sven Ninnemann.

Denmark, Finland, Lithuania and Russia are still to select.

DanceX Pulls In 4.8m

According to an article on The Guardian, DanceX pulled in 4.8m viewers to its first outing on BBC One.

Almost a third of all people watching TV at that time were tuned to BBC One. Pretty impressive.

Meanwhile, Dancing With The Stars US averaged almost 1.8m, and a 14% share.

Hare & Hounds Review

A lucky so-and-so from The Observer got to go to a dance event featuring Anton & Erin and review it. I wish that was my job...

The review is written by Viv Groskop, someone who is clearly a fan of Strictly Come Dancing. Viv only went for the dinner dance, and not the full dance weekend.

The best comment is : "The weekenders shuffled around the dancefloor in an approximation of what they had been taught, rather spoiling the magic of dance by mouthing, 'Step, close, step, together.'"

Worth a read.

Arlene: Auditions Brought "Spare Flesh All Over The Place"

Arlene Phillips has spoken out about unhealty auditionees for DanceX.

She told The Mirror: "There were all these girls with hot pants, crop tops and big bellies hanging out. No muscle tone, just spare flesh all over the place. Ugh! I wanted to stand up and scream, 'Why did you let yourself go? You puddings should do something about it!'"

I find comments like this quite hard to take. Of course, dancers should be fit and healthy. But as someone who has always been overweight and always danced, I know the constant battle one can face.

I never had a desire to dance professionally, mostly because of my weight which was never going to come off. And unless someone is planning to form a modern version of the Roly Polys, there are very few openings for plus sized dancers.

If only I were a celebrity. I could be asked onto Strictly, and then spend 8 hours a day training. The weight would fall off and I wouldn't have to sit behind a desk all day.

This is not a post of self-pity. I put myself up on the stage every year in my dancing school's shows, and I love it. I'm sure that narrow-minded people in the audience judge me, but as long as I am in time and can perform as well as my peers, I don't care. I'm doing something I'm passionate about. Most people will never know the buzz of performing on a stage, and those are the people I pity. Not myself.

Anyway, back to Arlene. She talks about how some of the men tried to catch her attention during the auditions: "Some of the hot young guys tried to catch my eye by opening their shirts and winking at me. They must have thought that because I eyed up Mark Ramprakash in Strictly Come Dancing I can be wooed. Forget it! I'm old enough to be their mother. Only talent will win through to the final stages - dance talent."

Simply Magical!

On Thursday night I went to see Simply Ballroom again.

The last time I saw it was in London, and Anton & Erin were special guests. This time it was in Canterbury and it was even more special.

Anton & Erin were dancing again, but not just with each other. Lesley Garrett joined Anton and Erin took Julian Clary for a spin around the floor. The two guests assisted Anton & Erin with hosting duties too.

The performance was being recorded for a forthcoming DVD, which made the show run like a TV recording. For example, Anton & Erin had to perform their opening routine again because of a technical problem. Not that I minded, of course! There were other points in the show that were done more than once.

I thoroughly enjoyed the performance. Lesley & Anton my all-time favourite Strictly partnership, and it was a thrill to see them perform together, Lesley’s enthusiasm for dance is infectious, even more than three years later.

I don’t want to say too much about the content of the show, because I don’t want to spoil it for those who want to buy the DVD. But I will say that it was a bit different from the production I saw in London. There was less chat with the dancers, and less description of the origins of each dance. But there was more banter with the four stars and more insight into their Strictly partnerships.

After the show, we went to the stage door. Anton & Erin popped out to see everyone. They both seemed thrilled to see so many familiar faces waiting for them.







Julian (and Valerie) and Lesley also took time to sign everyone’s books and pose for pics. I had organised Good Luck cards from the users of the Anton & Erin Forum, and both had received them. Lesley especially said how lovely everyone’s messages were. She seemed really touched that we’d sent it.










It was great to see birthday girl Laura, Nicola and Andrea again. And I finally got to meet Bev, too.



I have no idea when the DVD is due for release, but I would imagine it’ll be out in time for Christmas.

DWTS NZ - The Judges

I came across this montage of some of the judges' comments from the most recent series of New Zealand's version of Dancing With The Stars on YouTube.

The quality is rubbish, but I liked it so much I had to flag it up.

Ian: Camilla Is On Loan

Ian Waite has posted a message on his website to let everyone know that Camilla is only 'on loan' to Brendan for Eurovision and that their partnership is as solid as ever.

"Camilla will be dancing with Brendan in the Eurovision Dance Contest as I was unable to due to prior work engagements. Like SCD I will be lending my partner out as a one-off! This will be Camilla and Brendan's 'last dance' together and we are looking forward to our shows continuing into 2008."

It certainly raised a few eyebrows in forumland when Camilla was partnered with Brendan. I think it is a great shame that Ian is unable to participate in Eurovision. I enjoy his partnership with Camilla very much. But I'm sure Brendan & Camilla will do a fantastic job.

Ian also says he's looking forward to SCD5. Can't wait to see who he is partnered with. I'm very fond of Ian and would love to see him do well again.

Arlene Wants The Doctor

Digital Spy have published quite a lengthy interview with Arlene Phillips.

Although it covers a lots of the DanceX ground covered by other recent interviews, it also has some interesting insights.

In the interview, she says she'd like to see David Tennant as a contestant. And she'd still like to see Jordan participate.

She is "very" happy to be a part of SCD5.

She also talks about her and Bruno's creation of DanceX.

"This is our idea. Bruno and I started this three years ago, putting this together jointly, working out what we could do and we were very lucky that the BBC picked it up. Very lucky indeed. But yes, I'm very, very much more involved in every step of the way, whereas with Strictly, no it isn't my show at all. I'm just one very, very small element of Strictly, but Bruno and I are much larger elements of this show."

Ten Things You Didn't Know About Arlene

A Digital Spy article with 'fun facts' about Arlene Phillips.

Actually, I did know some of them. But not all of them

I'm not sure I knew she has an OBE.

In point 5, Arlene talks about her clothes on Strictly: “From the waist up behind the judging desk I look all glamorous: hair and make-up done, cleavage on display. But under the table I'm usually wearing sweatpants and trainers.” Fun as it sounds, this is a complete and utter fib. I wish it was true. I'd love to post those pics on here!

Bruno: "If They Get On My Tits, They're Gonna Be Whammed"

Only Bruno Tonioli could get away with a statement like: "They know that if they get on my tits they're going to be whammed very hard. But I don't want to go there, I want the thing to be positive". That's why we love him. And that's why Claudia always ends up apologising on It Takes Two.

Yet another DanceX interview, this time from This Is Derbyshire. Usual gubbins - he wants them to have fun, but work hard and listen.

Camilla's Website Relaunched

Camilla's official website has been given a makeover.

http://www.camilladallerup.com/

The site features a lovely showreel with some of Camilla's recent TV work.

Vote SCD For NTAs

Voting is now open for the National Television Awards. Awards will be handed out in October, and it's time for Strictly to beat The X Factor into the ground!

Strictly Come Dancing is nominated for Most Popular Talent Show.

Bruce Forsyth and Tess Daly are both nomintaed for Most Popular Entertainment Presenter (I voted for Tess). Ex-SCDer Zoe Ball is nominated, but as much as I adore her, she cannot beat our Tess or Bruce!

And if you want to support other SCDers, Louisa Lytton is nominated as Most Popular Newcomer for The Bill.

And, slightly more tenuous, Celebrity MasterChef, which Craig Revel Horwood got to the final of, is up for Most Popular Factual Programme.

And, as part of my ongoing campaign, vote for Philip Glenister for Most Popular Actor for Life On Mars!!

Get voting!

Strictly Returns This Autumn!!

YES, YES, YES!!!

We all knew it was coming back, but the BBC officially announced the return of Strictly Come Dancing at an Autumn press launch yesterday.

Bruce, Tess and all the judges are back for the fifth series of telly's top show. There will be another 14 celebrities taking part.

There have been rumours on who will be participating, but the BBC probably won't announce a line-up for at least another 7 or 8 weeks.

There's not much word on returning pros yet either. Nicole is signed up (and is very excited about it too), and Vincent & Flavia said they were coming back earlier this year. Watch this space...

DWTS Hits UK Screens

From Sunday, BBC1 will be showing an edited version of Season 4 of Dancing With The Stars US.

I would assume they selected this series becuase Heather Mills is a contestant. But if it rates well, they may decide to buy further series.

Tune into BBC1 at 4.15pm on Sunday.

Dance X Website

The BBC has launched their Dance X mircosite. There's not much on it at the moment, but I'm sure there'll be more after Saturday's programme.

Anton On BBC Breakfast

Anton appeared on BBC Breakfast recently, visiting Eltham Green School in London and reporting on why dance should be taught in schools.

Here is the report and interview which followed.

Boogie Ben

DanceX host Ben Shepherd might be able to show the contestants how it's done. He has admitted to the Manchester Evening News that he has a degree in Dance.

Dancing helped Ben to pull the girl who later became his wife.

"I met my wife at university, and I found out recently that she used to find it really attractive watching me dance - it was different from anything she was used to seeing. I think she misses it more than I do."

Perhaps it helped that he steered clear of dodgy dance attire.

"I never did get a leotard. They always insisted that I should, but I got some old school Adidas tracksuit bottoms that were a bit tight and that sufficed!"

Kelly Brook For SCD5?

Digital Spy reports that former Big Breakfast presenter Kelly Brook could be taking part in Series 5 of Strictly.

The site quotes a Daily Mail source: "Kelly is about to sign on the dotted line to be in the show. She's perfect for the part and incredibly fit".

Bruno: "This Is Nothing Like Strictly"

Bruno has spoken to The Sun about Dance X.

“This is nothing like Strictly Come Dancing, this is young and sexy. Strictly is all about ballroom dancing, but Dance X is about creating a whole new group of dancers who can also sing.”

Bruno also talks about breaking into the dance world.

“My parents didn’t want me to dance so I had to run away when I got my first job at 18. It was with a French touring company so I packed my bag and went to Paris and I never went back. My mother was devastated, bless her, but I had no choice."

Brendan On Loose Women

Did you miss Brendan's appearance on Loose Women a while back? Here it is...

Brendan Dances With Penny

Brendan Cole took Penny Lancaster for a spin around the dancefloor recently.

According to the Daily Mail, Penny was a guest at the Duke of Essex Polo Trophy and won the chance to dance with Brendan.

The Daily Record reports that Penny paid £1,400 to dance with Brendan.

Brendan has now danced with two Pennys (Lancaster and Smith) and two of Rod Stewart's girlfriends (Penny and Rachel Hunter). I wonder what his preferences are...

Anton The Author

Anton du Beke's book, Anton's Dance Class, is availible for pre-order from Amazon.

The book will be released on 27th September 2007. The foreward is written by Len Goodman.

The book covers ballroom and latin diciplines, and Anton describes the origins of the dances, and gives tips and techniques for each.

Arlene: There Will Never Be Another Hot Gossip

Arlene Phillips has told the Metro that there will never be another group like Hot Gossip.

"There can never be anything like [Hot Gossip] again, it was revolutionary at the time and there's never really been a group like it since."

However, through Dance X, she wants to bring dancers to the fore in the way her troope did.

"My aim is to give dancers a face. You know, dancers are the faceless ones, they're the backing dancers, they're the people that are seen and they're never known".

Dance X Starts Soon

Dance X, the new dance talent show, begins on Saturday 14th July on BBC1.

The BBC have published more details about the show.

Bruno and Arlene will each look after a team, X Factor style, along with a vocal coach and a choreographer.

Viewers will vote for their favourite group from Week 3 onwards. The judge of the losing group each week must select a group member to leave the competition.

The final will take place on Saturday 25th August.

Vote SCD Again!

Strictly Come Dancing has made it to the shortlist for Best Talent Show at the TV Quick/TV Choice awards.

Vote now!

You can also vote for SCDer Jill Halfpenny who is nominated for Best Actress for Waterloo Road.

And if you're stuck for who to voye for in the Best Actor category, please choose Philip Glenister who was fab in Life On Mars. No SCD connection, but he was bloody good in it!

EDC Logo Unveilled

The EBU has updated the EDC press release to include the logo for the Contest.



Personally, I really like it. I hope they use it like the one for the Song Contest, and just update the flag for each competition.

German Eurovision Entry Selected

Germany has selected thier entry into the Eurovision Dance Contest.

ESCKaz reports that Allan Frank & Wolke Hegenbarth will compete on 1st September.

Wolke was a finalist in the German version of Strictly Come Dancing.

Brendan & Camilla Dance For The UK!

The BBC has announced that Brendan Cole & Camilla Dallerup will team up one last time to represent the UK in the Eurovision Dance Contest.

Interestingly, the BBC did not have a Making Your Mind Up-style public vote to select our entrants like some of the other countries.

Perhaps the UK will pick up some Danish votes...

Click here to view a clip of Brendan & Camilla performing the rumba together.