Nottingham Review

Yet another tour review, this time from the Nottingham Evening Post.

The reviewer says: "This was the best show I've seen at the Arena, the complete experience with stunning lights, fantastic performances, breathtaking pyrotechnics and plenty of humour from the judges' table."

High praise indeed.

Matt & Flavia Go Shopping

The Strictly touring cast had the day off on Monday, so Matt & Flavia took the opportunity to do some shopping in London.

ThisIsLondon has published pics of the duo shopping and holding hands.

Flavia Pics

There is yet another mucky story from the News Of The World, but I would have a look because there are some stunning pics of Flavia on the page.

Tour Reviews

There are a number of reviews of the Strictly Come Dancing tour online.

The Stage
News Guardian (Newcastle)
Evening Standard (London)

I went to see the tour in London over the weekend, and will be posting a few thoughts and photos in due course. Watch this space.

Ian Waite: "I'd Like To Be One Of The Judges"

Ian Waite has given a short interview with the ThisIsNottingham.co.uk.

He says that initially hoped to partner both Zoe and Denise on the tour: "They told me that on Dancing On Ice one of the pros had managed to dance with two celebrities and I had visions of being very, very busy. But then Alesha couldn't make it so her partner Matthew Cutler was free to dance with Denise."

He also talks about the relationship that the celebrities and dancers build on the show: "You spend six to eight hours together every day and you go through a very emotional journey together. You have no idea how the judges or the public are going to react to your performance. All you have is each other."

Strictly Come Dancing is a full-time career for Ian: "Strictly is my life now. When I stop competing, I'd like to be one of the judges."

New Lesson 15

Finally after about 4 months, we actually did some quickstep last Tuesday.

It was brilliant. Quickstep is probably what I need most practice at.

My partner for the evening and I were flying aound the floor, and around everyone else. It's fun dancing with a former competitor (although I have no idea what kind of level he danced at, I must find out some day). I had a blast.

We then recapped the tango, which I do enjoy. All in all, a fab lesson.

Lesson 31

I decided not to go to the beginners class yesterday. I just knew it would be really busy. Maybe I'll brave it next week.

We did some waltz to start the class. When I dance alone I have it all down. Put a partner in front of me and I completely screw it up. I don't know why, but it's bloody annoying. I'm sure the men in the class are going to start thinking I'm crap! It was the double reverse spin followed by an impetus that was flummoxing me yesterday.

We dabbled with the jive briefly, but didn't really get time to get into it, as we spent a while on the waltz. You know it's getting late when the studio staff close the shutters while the lesson is still going on.

I'm now starting to feel a bit crampt in that studio. I have got a bit used to the nice hall I dance in on a Tuesday.

Inch Loss Island

Anton du Beke will be teaming back up with Kate Garraway this week as part of GMTV's weight-loss segment, 'Inch-Loss Island'.

Anton will be teaching the Islanders how to dance as part of their fitness programme.

UnrealityTV reports that Anton will be appearing on the show tomorrow (22nd January) and Wednesday (23rd).

Sport Relief Does Strictly Come Dancing

Look out for Sport Relief Does Strictly Come Dancing this March on BBC1.

This time, the experienced Strictly sports stars take on the role of the professionals.

Mark Ramprakash, Matt Dawson, Darren Gough, Denise Lewis and Roger Black will be showing the judges that they remember how it's done.

They will be teaming up with five dance novices - EastEnders' Kara Tointon, Hollyoaks' Gemma Bissix, theatre legend Elaine Paige, Olympic long-jumper Jade Johnson and ex-footballer David Ginola.

A nice little fix to keep us going once the Strictly tour is over.

Arlene On Her Mentor

There is a lovely piece in The Guardian, in which Arlene candidly talks about her dance teacher, Molly Molloy.

It's a short read that gives a glimpse into the life of a young Arlene.

The Tour: Times' Review

The Times have given the Strictly Come Dancing tour 4/5 for its opening night at the SECC last week.

I haven't read the review, as I am saving myself for the weekend!

Brendan Cole: Crime Writer?

Brendan Cole is having another 'stab' at reality TV. Having attempted to fall in love in the sunshine, and have a bit of a sing song, Brendan is now taking on crime writing.

The Press Association reports that he has signed up for Murder Most Famous on BBC2.

Six celebrities will have to complete crime-related challenges relating to areas such as pathology and firearms. The winner will get a crime novel published.

The show will air in March.

Frank Lampard For SCD6?

The People reports that Frank Lampard would like to take part in Strictly Come Dancing.

Sports people always do well, so he might make a nice choice. But doesn't he have a day job?

New Lesson 14

We had a very productive class this week. Just when I'm beginning to think my teacher lacks any ambition for the class, she does something that makes me think I'm wrong.

This week she told everyone that she'd like to see the class progress forward. The class is no longer listed as a beginners class - it's now 'progressers'.

We started off doing waltz work that was more complicated than anything we've done before. I loved it! I felt that my partner for the night and I glided around the floor, and I got the work really well. I'm now trying to add a bit of finesse wherever I can.

The teacher also mentioned doing medals to us. I am gagging to do medals, but I can't make the current medal class, it starts too early for me. I would love for her to have the ambition to enter people for medallist comps, but I think that might be a bit beyond her. She seems a bit set in her ways. The things I could do to improve that school if I had the opportunity. Sadly, it's pretty much the only school in the area, and unless I get a car then it's going to have to do me for now.

We also recapped the tango, which I love. I had an excellent partner this week. This chap seemed a bit scared of intimacy once before when I danced with him, and he always comes across as 'put upon' (he helps with the medal class before mine and it's all too much for the poor love - he rolls his eyes every time he is asked to dem with the teacher). But his tango was brilliant. He held me correctly, and it was one of the best experiences I've had.

My Monday classes re-start next week. I'm still pondering whether I should attempt going to beginners. I know it's going to be rammed, and we'll do very basic waltz and cha cha. But the thought of hanging around until 9.15 with nothing else to do doesn't appeal either.

Denise Lewis: "Strictly’s Like Childbirth"

It seems that it wasn't just the Telegraph that was invited to the rehearsals for Strictly's live shows.

The Times also got an invitation.

It sounds like the tour is going to be a very big event. Paul Roberts, of promoters Phil Macintyre Entertainment says: “It’s basically like the live [TV] show, but with some ‘special bits’. Solo numbers, judges, etcetera. The arena audience can text-vote there and then, so every show has a winner. The vote money goes to charity. There’s a couple of big professional numbers, a 16-piece band, big chandeliers being raised and lowered."

Zoe explains what hard work it's been: “I can barely walk. My knees are gone. I’ll be in a wheelchair by the time we get to Newcastle. All the others are so young, I’m constantly seven steps behind. Norman [Cook] says, if in doubt, do ‘jazz hands’, but I don’t think even I could pull off two solid hours of jazz hands.”

Do read the article, it's a funny and well-written piece, even if it does flirt the line with mickey taking her and there.

Strictly No Richard

Now magazine reports that Richard Madeley denies that he wants to take part in the next series of Strictly. So yet again we have to listen to him tell us how he's turned down the chance to appear. Yawn!

He wrote in his Daily Express column: "I do think it's the best entertainment show on the box and I would get a kick out of taking part, but I genuinely don't have the time, or, rather more importantly, the latent ability. I've regretfully passed on Strictly's kind invitations to dance like I've never danced before. They're not wrong – I have never danced before."

Tour Preperations

The Daily Telegraph has a lovely article about preperations for the tour.

There's a few words from Ian, Zoe, Darren Gough and Arlene.

I'm so glad the tour is nearly here!!

Gethin Sets The Record Straight

Remember that story alleging that Camilla stormed out after being voted out of Strictly Come Dancing?

MyParkMag reports that Gethin has been chatting to Star magazine and setting the record straight: "Camilla Dallerup wept for both of us. She had all her make-up - which she wears a lot of for the show - running down her face. But she didn't storm off in a strop. She went to call her mum in Denmark. I went to see if she was alright, but all she wanted was to ring her mum, which is fair enough."

Sometimes a girl's mum is the only one who will understand.

Richard's At It Again

It's been about a year since Richard Madeley last told the world that the BBC had approached him for Strictly.

Now he's at it again, telling The Sun, in light of the news that he and Judy are quitting their Channel 4 chat show: “They’ve asked me to do it before — and this time I might say yes.”

What makes you so sure they still want you, Richard? In fact, I hope they don't ask again. You don't deserve the opportunity to continually turn down the hottest show on TV until it suits you. Other people have carried on with early morning TV shows, hard-hitting soap operas, sports commentary, theatre tours and all manner of other jobs while doing the show. Maybe you're not Strictly material if you can only manage one thing at at time. Besides, the article says they are looking to land bigger stars this time. Sorry Richard.

According to the same Sun article, artist Tracy Emin is keen to get on the show.

New Lesson 13

My Tuesdays got back to normal.

We started with the tango this week. I do love a bit of tango. I was especially made up that we got to dance to Jealousy - Alesha's tango music. The tango was my favourite Alesha dance of the series and the music brings back great memories. Sadly, my class is a little slower at picking things up, so we didn't add anything on to what we'd done previously. But I still love it.

We did a bit of rumba after that. It was a slightly different amalgamation than we'd done before, so that kept it interesting.

It felt really good to be back. But there's still another couple of weeks until my Monday classes restart. My teacher is on holiday at the moment. Barbados I hear...

Anton's Holiday

Anton du Beke is sunning it up in Barbados at the moment, and the ever-classy Daily Mail have found him at the beach.

Personally, I find it a bit odd that the Mail has developed an unhealthy and somewhat intrusive interest in Anton of late, but it seems I am in the minority. Many of the forum users of the world seem to be enjoying the sights of Barbados...

Strictly Single

Alesha Dixon admitted that she is glad she was single while appearing on Strictly Come Dancing. It allowed her to be free on the floor.

ShowbizSpy.com reports that she said in a recent interview: "I didn’t have to worry about a boyfriend sitting at home getting jealous, I could go for it. Everybody likes a good flirt and a good dance so mix it together and it’s genius.”

Steve Wright Approached For Strictly

Len Goodman was a guest on Steve Wright In The Afternoon on BBC Radio 2 yesterday, promoting the Strictly tour.

The most interesting thing was that Steve revealed that he had once been approached to take part in the show. He turned it down because he didn't feel he could do it while persenting a radio programme every afternoon.

Alesha On Capital Radio

Alesha Dixon appeared on the Capital Breakfast Show this morning.

She commented on a stack of rumours that have been going around lately.

The first thing she said when her mic was opened was "I am not going out with Sean from EastEnders". The People reported this week that Alesha was keen on actor Rob Kazinsky after she him after they met at a party.

Johnny Vaughan quized Alesha on a heap of other rumours.

She is not hosting a dog training show.
She is not collaborating with Britney Spears.
She is not hosting a cookery show, but she is appearing on one.
She is signing a new record deal.
She is not doing a walk on part in Holby City.
She has been approached to be in Chicago. She cannot do it right now becuase of her music, but would love to be in it and even named her dog after Roxie Hart.
She is not presenting the new series of Strictly with Bruce so that Tess can take part.
She is going to Asia and she leaves on Monday.
She is not being hounded by David Walliams for a date, but they are friends.

Alesha will be taking part in Capital's BUPA Great London Run this July.

Matt & Flavia: The Interviews

Matt has been talking to the The Mirror.

Flavia has been talking to News of the World.

Read for yourselves. No comments from me.

The Spice Girls

This is not as off topic as it appears. Stick with me...

I went to see the Spice Girls at the O2 Arena last night.

It seems that Emma is still suffering from the sprained ankle that delayed the Girls' performance on Strictly a few weeks ago. As you can see, she is still performing with it strapped up.



I was watching avidly to see if there was any ballroom or latin in the show. I was desperate to see Darren and Maks suddenly appear to take Emma and Mel B for a spin around, but sadly this clip for the Viva Forever routine is about as close as we got (apologies for the quality - typical YouTube). Although Mel did thank the crowd for all the support she received which she was on Dancing With The Stars.



As we were leaving the arena we spotted former SCDer Louisa Lytton, so naturally I stopped her for a quick photo.

I told her we were going to the Strictly tour. She said that seeing the O2 and how many people will be there has now made her really nervous! She'll be just fab, I'm sure.

See, I told you it wasn't as off topic as it might seem...

Martin Offiah: "All People Want To Talk About Is Dancing"

The Manchester Evening News has a nice little interview with Martin Offiah. In it he talks about how he's now as famous for Strictly as he is for playing rugby.

He says: "I'm as famous for wearing a red catsuit as I am for wearing a red Wigan shirt, which I find quite amusing."

"People want to talk about the dancing more than rugby. I played rugby for 15 years and scored 500 tries but all people want to talk about is dancing."

And as many a man has said during the series: "When I started I thought, 'there's no way I'm wearing anything spangly and sparkly', but by the end of the series I was in a full-on red number with a plunging neckline."

Keep an eye out for the red number on the tour, people!

Alesha & Matthew On BBC Breakfast

If, like me, you missed Alesha & Matthew on BBC Breakfast this morning, here's the video.

Vincent Interview

There was a tragic interview with Vincent in The People this weekend in which he talks about the strain his relationship with Flavia is under at the moment.

Lord knows how much of it is true, but if this is really what Vincent has said, it is such a shame.

I'm not going to post extracts.