Strictly To Shake-Up Pros?

A story is doing the rounds today, which suggests that the BBC are set to axe some of the professional dancers because of 'diva' behaviour behind the scenes.

Yahoo! News, and several other sources, is running a story in which a source says: "One [of the professional dancers] threw a hissy fit last year just because they were asked to wear an outfit from Marks & Spencer for a photo call. They screamed: 'This isn't Hugo Boss. I am not wearing it!'. Another was caught on her mobile leaking bitchy gossip about some of her rivals to a magazine. And one whinged to the cameramen that their fee was abysmal when the truth is they earn much more than the crews. When the new series kicks off again some familiar faces will be gone."

It would be very sad to see any of the pros go, but one has to wonder which of the pros would behave in this manner. That's if it is true, of course.

The success of Kristina and Brian on the show demonstrates that the public can accept new pros and embrace them like the longer serving dancers. But that's not to say that other pros would not be missed. I know there are many that would like to see Nicole Cutler return to the show.

We already know that Camilla is hanging up her dancing shoes (although she has stated that she'd like to be a Strictly judge - at the very least I would expect to see her warming the banquette on It Takes Two). It will be interesting if the BBC decides to push anyone else out of the door behind her.

Strictly Hits Belfast!

The Strictly Come Dancing Live tour will be hitting Belfast in 2010.

The Belfast Telegraph announced the news, and Christine Bleakley has said that she would love to perform in front of a Belfast audience: “It would be absolutely brilliant to make an appearance in Belfast, with the home crowd behind me. I loved doing the show and am delighted it’s finally coming to Northern Ireland.”

The Telegraph also correctly points out that Northern Ireland natives Dennis Taylor and Gloria Hunniford have also taken part in the show, so hopefully there will be a home boy or girl on next year's tour.

Interview With Tom

STV's Five Thirty Show caught up with Tom Chambers while the Strictly tour was in Glasgow.

He talks about how Strictly has taken over his life and he gives reporter Natasha Stillwell a quick cha cha lesson.

Watch the video here.

Len And Craig Speak

The Express and Star caught up with Len and Craig at a book signing at Waterstones in Birmingham. They talked about the tour, their post-tour plans, each other's books and their dream Strictly participants.

Tour Winds Down

The Strictly Come Dancing Live tour has reached its final destination - the LG Arena in Birmingham.

Rachel Stevens told the Birmingham Mail: “It’s been really good fun and I’m going to miss it when I’m finished, but it’s really great to be ending in Birmingham, because this is a great venue to do the show in. We’ve had such a brilliant time, especially on tour. The television show is full of a lot of pressure and on the tour we just come out and have fun. It has been tiring because we’ve been up and down the country and I came straight from doing the show to being on tour. But we’ve spent most of our time on the road just having a really good laugh and a good time. We’ve all got really close and it’s been nice to be with such a lovely group of people.”

She also admitted to wanting to sneak off with the frocks: “I’ve tried to steal some of the dresses, but I haven’t got away with it so far.”

Anton Turns Judge

DigitalSpy has revealed that Anton du Beke is lined up to be a judge on Comic Relief show Let's Dance. Shut up!

He follows in the footsteps of his former partner Leslie Garrett and Craig Revel Horwood who were judges on Comic Relief Does Fame Academy.

Tour Review

The Independent have written a review of the Strictly tour when it visited Wembley Arena.

I really must write a review myself... Maybe after this weekend's installment.

Duncan Didn't Do A Tom

Duncan Bannatyne recently revealed that he is talking part in Comic Relief show Let's Dance, but is seems he's doing it because he once turned down Strictly - because he was getting married (that's no barrier - just ask Tom Chambers. Did you know he got married during the last series??).

Duncan told the Daily Record: "Three years ago, I was asked to be in Strictly but couldn't because I was getting married and my wife Joanne wouldn't change it."

But he doesn't rate his chances as a dancer: "I'm tone deaf with no rhythm. I'm a potential disaster. I never get on a dancefloor. If I could have got away with quietly giving Comic Relief cash, I would have done. I honestly would prefer to be climbing Kilimanjaro than this. I think I was just having a mad moment when I said OK."

Kristina's New Partner

Kristina Rhianoff has put her time with John Sergeant behind her, and has moved on to a new partner - Foxy Bingo.

Kristina has been teaching Foxy to dance for his new commerical, which promotes a new game in aid of Comic Relief.

Watch the video to see how they got on.



Kristina revealed to the Daily Record this week that she has another ideal partner in mind, though: "I have a dream partner, but I don't think he's ever going to do Strictly. It's the actor Jonathan Rhys Meyers, I like him. It doesn't matter to me whether he's any good at dancing, I can teach him."

Lisa Plans To Buy Frocks

Lisa Snowdon has admitted that she is thinking of spending £2,000 to buy one of her Strictly dresses.

The Metro reports that she told Closer magazine: "They're quite pricey - about £2,000 each - but I'll regret it if I don't have something to remember the show by."

Darren & Lilia Get Kids Dancing

Darren & Lilia have recorded a special DVD to get teachers teaching their classes to dance.

According to the Press Association, the initiative will get 2,500 kids dancing in English schools.

Darren said: "Not everyone who learns ballroom is going to take it up as a profession and win trophies but that's not the point - it's about having fun, getting fit and mixing socially with your peers."

Christine Shortlisted For Northern Ireland’s Best Media Personality

Former Strictly participant Christne Bleakley has been shortlisted for the title of Northern Ireland’s Best Media Personality.

The Belfast Telegraph reports that she will take on DJs Pete Snodden, Colin Murray and Sonya Mac and X Factor star Eoghan Quigg to claim the title at the Fate Awards.

The winner will be announced on Friday 3rd April.

Dancing Dragons

It's almost Comic Relief time again, and that means celebs will be making idiots of themselves in the name of charidee.

The BBC has lined up another dance format - Let's Dance For Comic Relief.

Broadcast reports that our very own Claudia Winkleman and T4's Steve Jones will host. Celebs will take on classic dance routines - Thriller, …Baby One More Time, Saturday Night Fever, High School Musical and more.

Dragon's Den dragons Duncan Bannatyne and Peter Jones, and comedienne Jo Brand are already slated to appear.

Tour Reviews

The Star has posted a review of the Strictly tour in Sheffield. It contains spoilers, so only read if you don't mind finding out what to expect.

And The Stage reviewed one of the dates in Nottingham.

I shall be seeing the tour tomorrow myself - weather permitting!

Craig Wants Harry For Strictly

Craig Revel Horwood has Prince Harry on his Strictly wish-list.

Her told Now magazine: "It would be brilliant, a bit of royalty. I think he’d just go for it. There’d be no reserve about him. You know, party boy, party sound, Brazilian sambas, all of that stuff would really suit him. Actually, I think people would fall in love with him. You’d get a whole new generation watching."

Oh Yes He Is!!!

Craig Revel Horwood has signed up to play the Wicked Queen in a production of Snow White & The Seven Dwarfs for Christmas 2009.

Craig will tread the boards from 14th December until 3rd January at the Venue Cymru in Llandudno, North Wales. Tickets are already on sale.

How many dwarfs are there? SEVEN!

Start Saving!

If CDs, books, DVDs and tour tickets aren't enough for you, you'd better start saving your pennies. The BBC's commerical arm, BBC Worldwide, has announced plans for a Strictly Come Dancing merchandise range.

According to the Daily Telegraph, the range will include adult nightwear, children's clothes, backpacks, shoulder bags, vanity cases and glitter ball earphones.

Glitterball earhphones? My life might finally be complete!

Neil Ross Russell of BBC Worldwide said: "There is a demand among fans to be able to further their enjoyment of the brand away from television. The product lines are a really good reflection of the glitz and glamour that Strictly Come Dancing has come to represent."

If anyone at Worldwide needs a focus group to look at prototypes, I'm sure I can rustle a few friends up...