Three New Pros, Gleb Departs

The BBC have announced the pro line-up for 2016, with three new pros joining the competition.

Photos Igor Malakhov; Gorka Marquez; Edward Gelhaus

Gorka Marquez is a Spanish latin specialist and a veteran of Burn The Floor (of course!). Here is a clip of him performing a paso with his professional partner Irene Martin in 2012.



He said: “I feel very excited and grateful to be joining Strictly Come Dancing and to be one of the professional dancers for the new series. It’s something that every dancer dreams of and something that I always wanted to have the opportunity to do.”

The name Katya Jones might ring a bell with some. Russian-born Katya is the wife and professional partner of Strictly choreographer Neil Jones. Here is a clip of Katya & Neil performing a show dance in 2013.



Katya said: “I am so privileged to be joining Strictly Come Dancing. I know it is extremely intense, but so am I! I am fierce, fabulous, and would love to win!”

The final newbie is Oksana Platero. Oksana is from Ukraine, and was formerly a troupe dancer on Dancing With The Stars in the US. Here she is performing a samba on the show with Kiki Nyemchek.

Oksana said: “Words cannot describe how extremely excited I am to be joining the Strictly Come Dancing family this year. I am so fortunate to be given the opportunity. It feels so surreal and I cannot wait to get started.”

It has also been announced that Gleb Savchenko has decided not to return: “I thoroughly enjoyed taking part in the last series of Strictly Come Dancing and especially the way that the UK gave me such a warm welcome but due to family commitments I won't be returning to the show for the next series - I'll definitely be tuning in though.”

A nation mourns the fact that the 'Gleb special' will not see the light of day again.

So, the female line-up will be Katya, Oksana, Karen, Janette, Natalie, Oti and Joanne, who returns to the competition after only featuring in pro numbers last year.

The male line up will be Gorka, Anton, Brendan, Aljaž, Giovanni, Kevin and Pasha.

Putting The 'Strict' Into Strictly

Strictly Come Dancing's professional dancers are facing a raft of new rules in their new contracts, which will attempt to prevent controversy around the Saturday night family favourite.

According to the Daily Mirror, the new rules prevent pros from cutting their hair, having cosmetic surgery or setting up call centres to generate votes.

A source said: “Some of these stipulations are ridiculous, it’s always funny when they come through. There’ve been instances where dancers have run into trouble after flouting these rules.”

Dancers must also be respectful of their partners on social media and declare any political involvement, and the BBC retains all final decisions on make-up and costume.

Len Set To Return To DWTS

Len Goodman has decided to resume judging duties on Dancing With The Stars, enticed by a £3m pay deal.

A source told The Sun: “Len genuinely wanted to take a step back and enjoy a bit more free time. But he still has the energy of a man half his age so he thought why not. And the money is a bonus.”

Theatre Review: Norma Jeane - The Musical

When Joanne Clifton first announced she would be starring in a musical, I raised an eyebrow.

I'm usually first in the queue to support the Strictly fraternity in their endeavours outside the programme. A theatre tour. Maybe a panto. But this was something that no other dancer from the show had done - a proper acting role.

Norma Jeane - The Musical is set in the mind of the eponymous movie star, as she spends time in Payne Whitney Psychiatric Clinic in New York. She is visited by relatives, all voices in her head, and looks back on her troubled life.

On stage, Marilyn is represented by three actresses - Sarah Rose Denton as the troubled and lost Norma Jeane, Joanne Clifton as the glamourous and confident Marilyn Monroe, and the pair are later joined by Ruth Betteridge as a young Norma Jeane.

So, what of Joanne and my raised eyebrow?

Joanne is a marvelous Marilyn. She embodies the sexy, glamourous and confident persona of the starlet, deluded and caught-up her own hype. She sings and dances, and delivers some of the funniest (and most profane!) lines in the show. And this is no cameo. No token casting to get bums on seats. Joanne pulls her weight with the rest of the cast, only leaving the stage at brief moments to change into another one of Marilyn's signature outfits. Not once did her character slip.

Joanne can carry a tune too, performing several songs, although at times her voice was lost in the music. I'm sure she'll only improve as the run goes on. The music itself tells the story, but you probably won't leave the theatre humming any of it.

While this is far from being a dance show, those who cannot live without for a bit of Strictly fairy dust are catered for. Choreographer Adam Scrown has included some dancing for Joanne, so you get to see her do what she's known for.

The rest of the cast are not to be forgotten. Denton is the perfect juxtaposition to Joanne in her role as Norma Jeane. And Joseph Bader keeps things moving as her uncle Marion, serving as the piece's narrator.

I thoroughly enjoyed the show, and I wish the whole cast and crew a very successful run.

Norma Jeane - The Musical is on at the LOST Theatre in London until 18th June. Visit TicketSource to purchase tickets.

I attended the press night on 1st June 2016.