Many Apologies

I just wanted to apologise for the lack of updates over the past month or so.

I promise I'm going to be back on it from now on!

New Lesson 27

This was the last 'normal' class I am having, as I start ballroom and latin medals next week. Very exciting!

We did a bit of quickstep to begin with, which included a half fishtail thingy. It was nice to do something different. Then we moved on to tango, and it was the stalkiest tango I think I've ever done! We finished up with a wee bit of rumba.

So, next week it's on to medal classes. I am dying to get going, and I think the teacher will be cracking the whip. But I'll miss all the nice social dancing I have been learning.

Interview With Bruno

There is an excellent, and quite lengthy, interview with Bruno on gay website AfterElton.com.

He talks about how it's more acceptible to be an out celebrity in the UK than the US, but how there are many more gay organisations in the US.

He also talks about the I'm Still Standing video.

And what he's up to when DWTS comes to an end: "We’re just kind of exploring how where we’re going to bring back Dance Wars [the US version of DanceX]. We’re working on that now for maybe next year. Seeing when we can do it. And I’m working on another project with the BBC in London, which if it happens we could bring here as well. It’s another show I’m working on. You know when something comes your way – television has come my way, so I’m going to explore that. And I got another couple of concepts about a film and another in a comedy series as well that I’m working on. So I think in the summer, when I have a bit of time off, I’m going to tidy all these up, but I think try to get more things done, more shows done."

Another project for the BBC? I wonder what that is...

I'd recommend reading the whole article. It gives you the chance to see another side of Bruno.

The Ballroom Class by Lucy Dillon

I was recently sent a copy of a novel called The Ballroom Class by Lucy Dillon.

The story follows the members of a small-town dance class. Anyone who has ever attended a dance class in a small town church hall or community centre will instantly recognise the cast of characters.

There's over-worked town planner Katie and her stay-at-home-dad husband Ross, who are dancing to save their marriage.

There's young bride Lauren who is planning her fairytale wedding, and is looking to turn fiance Chris into a waltzing Prince Charming.

There's Lauren's parents Bridget & Frank who are there to support their little girl as she becomes a woman.

There's silver fox-trotter Baxter and wife Peggy, who are brushing up on their skills.

There are Trina and Chloe who want to meet men.

And there's Angelica Andrews, the former pro champion, who has returned to her small town home to pack up her late mother's things and face a few demons.

The book is well-paced and fits well with the pace of a small town, without being dull.

The characters and well-written, and I constantly changed my opinion of the book's key players, particularly Katie.

Dance fans might be disappointed in the lack of dancing. Dillon certainly knows her dancing, but the story is very much driven by the characters. The class is simply the catalyst that brings them together. However, this means the book is very accessible for dancers and non-dancers alike.

I read much of the book on the bus to my church hall dance lessons (that the 'New Lesson' classes for anyone who regularly reads this blog), and then spent my class trying to work out who was who amongst my own dancing colleagues.

This book is Dillon's debut work, and I would certainly be willing to pick up another of hers.

The Ballroom Class by Lucy Dillon is published by Hodder & Stoughton. Hardcover is available now. The paperback will be out on 16th October 2008.

Beatrice & Brendan

Princess Beatrice was given a whistlestop tango lesson by Brendan Cole at a recent polo event.

The Mirror reports that he taught her a bit of Dirty Dancing and a bit of tango.

This will add fuel to the fire that Beatrice is being courted to appear on a future series of Strictly Come Dancing.

Kelly Brook Turns Judge

Kelly Brook is ready to get back into dancing, although time she'll be judging.

What's On TV reports that Kelly has been signed as a judge on Dirty Dancing: The Life Of Your Life on LIVING.

The show follows British dancers re-creating key moments from the classic film while competing to win a contract with a top dance agency.

Brook said: "Dirty Dancing is one of my favourite films and I can't wait to get to Kellerman's, carry the watermelon and learn the rules of Dirty Dancing. While raw dance talent is essential I will be looking for that magic chemistry in our couples that will make the dance floor sizzle."

Brook replaces Jennifer Ellison who was a judge on the last series.

New Lesson 26

It was my first class for a couple of weeks, due to public transport traumas.

We did the usual old foxtrot, and then a bit of cha cha.

I was paired with a chap who usually dances with his wife. When the babysitter lets them down, she usually comes alone, but this time he did. He's a pretty good dancer too, compared to most of the husbands.

I was also pleased that the medal classes were announced at last! I shall be doing bronze ballroom and latin medal classes on Tuesday nights from next month. I'm really excited. I need a challenge in these styles, and medals will give me the push that I need.

Len Not Holding Out

Len Goodman has rubbished recent reports that he is holding out for more money.

The Press Association reports that in true Len style, he said: "Honestly, I'd rather part with my penis than give up Strictly Come Dancing!"

You've got to love Uncle Len!

Zoe Lister Fancies Reality TV

Hollyoaks star Zoe Lister would like to appear on a reality show like Strictly.

MyParkMag reports that the actress, who plays Zoe Carpenter on the soap, said: "Dancing On Ice or Strictly Come Dancing would be really fun, but I wouldn't want to do Big Brother. I'd like to go on a show where I can learn something new and raise money for charity."

Gordon Ramsey For SCD6?

Last week the Daily Star reported that Gordon Ramsey might be swapping soufflé for the samba, and is tipped for Strictly Come Dancing.

He told the paper: “I seriously need to learn to dance. I’d love to master it because there’s something so sexy about dancing. But I’m 15 stone with size 16 feet. It just ain’t f***ing happening.”

If Gordon Ramsey were on SCD, they'd struggle to use half the footage from the training rooms because of all the effing and blinding. Although I'm sure our refined pros wouldn't put up with that kind of thing for long.

Waltz O'Grady?

According to The Sun, BBC producers are drawing up a wishlist of presenters for Strictly, should Bruce decide to move on, and Paul O'Grady is at the top.

A source said: “Paul is a definite favourite and would be brilliant.”

I have to admit that Paul wouldn't be my cup of tea. I can't put my finger on why. I think he might be a bit acerbic for such a fluffy family show.

Someone on a forum somewhere suggested Brian Conley, and I have to say that is the best suggestion I have heard. Like Bruce, he's a family oriented song-and-dance man with lots of Saturday night razzmatazz and experience, and a good drop of wit.

A Dancer For Money...

According to The Sun, some of the Strictly pros are miffed that a £3,000 pay increase is not more.

Last series, so the paper claims, they earned £24,000 each.

In my opinion, the dancers should be well paid. They work between six and nine hours a day, six or seven days a week. For those staying until the end, it's a punishing schedule which is emotionally and physically draining.

Brendan's Going For A Kick About

Brendan Cole will join McFly and Faithless as part of the line-up for this year's Soccer Six event.

The annual celebrity tournament will take place on 18th May at The Den, home of Millwall FC. Tickets ar £12 for adults.

Brucie Is Here To Stay

According to last Sunday's People, Bruce Forsyth is not ready to quit Strictly after all.

He told the paper: "For me, Strictly Come Dancing is my ideal job. I love the show, I love the contestants and I love working with my co-presenter Tess Daly. We are like a family there so I won't just be going back for the next series, but the one after that, and the one after that until they tell me not to any more. It means such a lot to me that people don't want me to retire so I'm not going to."

Len Wants More Cash

The Sunday Mirror reported last weekend that Len Goodman is still negotiating for more money for the next series of Strictly.

This follows on from earlier negotiations back in March.

According to the Mirror, Len claims the £60,000 per series is not enough with all the travelling between London and LA for Dancing With The Stars.

Of couse, without Strictly there would be no DWTS. Whatever happened to loyalty?