Jason Wood

I was very sad this morning to hear of the passing of Jason Wood.

Jason died on Saturday, although no further details have been released. He was 38.

Comedian Jason had the dubious honour of being the first person ever to be voted off Strictly Come Dancing, partnering Kylie Jones during Series 1.

He also appeared on The Underdog Show alongside Camilla Dallerup & Kevin Sacre.

I chatted to him at Underdog and he was a sweet, gentle man who seemed surprised to be asked for his autograph.

I'm sure he will be missed, and my thoughts are with his friends and family.

Craig Can't Stop The Beat?

Craig Revel Horwood could be heading for a return to his musical theatre roots.

According to The Mirror, he has auditioned for the role of Enda Turnblad in Hairspray, following in the footsteps of Michael Ball, Brian Conley and Phill Jupitas.

A source told the paper: "Craig is incredibly theatrical and is really looking forward to it. He is made for the part and it could make him a West End star."

I think Craig would be brilliant in the role (many of you know I raved about his appearance in panto this year). But I have to question the validity of the story. Hairspray closes in the West End at the end of next month to go on a UK tour for the rest of 2010. Casting of the touring company is already complete, with Ball, Conley and Michael Starke already confirmed. So I'm not sure as to where Craig would fit in.

If it's true, I'd be first in the queue for tickets. But I can't help wondering if it is actually going to happen.

Mountains Out Of Molehills

Don't you just hate when the red tops go trying to create a story that isn't there?

The Mirror has tried to make a story out of the fact that Alesha Dixon was missing from the judging panel of a sport relief special which will be screened as part of the annual BBC fundraiser.
Yet the paper acknowledges itself that the special was filmed during the Strictly tour, and that Alesha is not a part of the tour anyway.

Honestly! What is the obsession with Alesha's future as a judge? It's dull, dull, dull...

Next! Paul O'Grady...

Paul O'Grady has admitted he has been repeatedly approached to do Strictly, but claims he is too busy.

RTE reports that he told Now magazine: "I do like Strictly. They ask me every year to go on, but it's eight hours of rehearsals a day and there's no way I could do it on top of work, writing my book and my farm in Kent. If I didn't have all that, I'd go on it".

I think Paul would be very popular, and perhaps would surprise a few people.

More Tour Reviews

The Strictly Come Dancing Live tour has just over a week left to run. Here are a couple of reviews of the tour so far:

Daily Record at the SECC, Glasgow

The Times at The O2, London

Daily Mail (location not stated)

Brian & Kristina Are Buzzin'

Here is a commercial for Häagen-Dazs' Help The Honey Bees campaign which stars Brian & Kristna.

I heart YouTube.

Mark Talks About The Tour

Surrey TV caught up with Mark Ramprakash to find out how the Strictly tour is going.

Ian & Natalie Look Forward To Pro Tour

The Strictly Come Dancing Live tour is far from over, but already the professional dancers are looking forward to getting back on the road - without their celebrity partners.

Ian Waite told the Chester Chronicle: “The audience will really be able to get up close and personal. Sometimes during the arena tours the audience is quite far away but they will be closer at the theatre.”

Natalie Lowe said: “The show is going to be very dynamic and powerful.”

For more information, see StrictlyComeDancingProTour.com.

Mark Talks Dancing On Wheels

Mark Foster has explained how humbled he was by taking part in Dancing On Wheels and working with partner Diana Morgan-Hall.

DigitalSpy reports that Mark told the Radio Times: "When I first heard about Dancing on Wheels I thought, 'How is this going to work?' Is it just me pushing someone round the dance floor in their wheelchair?'. It was only when I saw footage of the world championships that I began to understand, and see, how beautiful and exciting it is. Dancing is all about two people connecting and I immediately connected with Diana. I think Brian Fortuna could see that and he choreographed some incredible moves for us."

Dancing On Wheels starts on BBC Three next Thursday (11th February), and also features other ex-Strictly participants Heather Small and Martin Offiah.

Let's Dance Celebrities Announced

The first batch of celebrities who will be taking part in Let's Dance For Sport Relief have been announced by the BBC.

It's an interesting list.
Comedians Katy Brand, Rufus Hound and Shappi Khorsandi
Gumpies Jenny Eclair, Linda Robson, Lesley Joseph and Susie Blake
Sporting legends Peter Shilton, Rodney Marsh and ex-Strictly participants Willie Thorne and Dennis Taylor

I can't wait for Let's Dance. I absoluetly loved last year's series.

DVD Role-Play Toy On The Way

A Strictly Come Dancing DVD role-play toy (whatever that is) is on the way.

Licensing.biz reports that it will retail for £25 and will be released in the summer. It will feature will include an instructional DVD, dress up elements and scoring boards for the judges. There is no idication of who the game is aimed at.

Richard Hollis, head of UK licensing at BBC Worldwide who liscence the Strictly brand, told the website: "Strictly is a household name and is one of the lucky few that inspires universal enjoyment from young to old. The launch of this great new toy will truly enable fans to extend their love of the show in their living rooms, so we're sure it will be a 'ten' for buyers and customers."

Blackpool Bound?

Could Strictly Come Dancing make a permanent home at the Blackpool Tower Ballroom?

The Daily Telegraph reports that Strictly producers are having 'in-depth negotiations' to secure just that.

Michael Williams, operations director of Leisure Parcs, which owns the Tower, told the paper: "I can confirm we have been in discussion with the BBC regarding the possibility of bringing the show to the Tower for 2010. It could just be one or a number of the shows but we are hoping the whole series could be filmed here. For us it will be a bit of a logistical issue as Strictly is on when it is traditionally our busiest period but we are talking to all parties concerning the matter. From our point of view it would be fantastic not just for the Tower but also the resort in general."

I doubt the BBC would want to run the whole series from Blackpool when most of the dancers and celebrities, not to mention the crew, are based down south. Moving the whole shebang to Blackpool would also have a knock-on effect to It Takes Two. Would Claudia et al have to spend three months in Blackpool too?

So not going to happen.

But there's a lot to be said for having a show or two from the spiritual home of British ballroom dancing. I think it's nice for the participants and makes for great viewing for those at home. I'm all for it.