Anton du Beke: Novelist

Anton du Beke has written books on ballroom dancing, but now he has turned his hand to writing novels.

Anton's debut novel - One Enchanted Evening - will be released on 4th October. Set in 1936, the book follows the goings on at a grand London hotel through dance troope leader Raymond de Guise and chambermaid Nancy Nettleton.

I can't wait to read it!

Anton has some book promotion events coming up.

He will be at the Savoy Theatre in Monmouth on Sunday 7th October, talking about the book and signing copies. Click here for tickets.

Later the same evening, he'll be at Komedia in Bath as part of the Bath Children's Literary Festival. Click here for tickets.

And on 14th October, he'll be in conversation at the Yvonne Arnuld Theare in Guildford, as part of the Guildford Book Festival. Click here for tickets.

If you've ever been to one of Anton & Erin's shows, you'll know what an entertaining speaker Anton is. These events are not to be missed.

No Celebrities For Neil, Luba & Johannes

Neil Jones, Luba Mushtuk and Johannes Radebe will not have celebrity partners in the upcoming series.

A spokesperson told The Sun: “We have 18 pros and 15 celebrities, so sadly we can’t give everyone a partner. But this year we are planning even more ambitious group performances, we will have our Strictly special for Children in Need, there is the Christmas Special and there will be lots more surprises along the way. All our pros are going to be kept really busy.”

Neil confirmed the news himself with a video post on Twitter:

No more rumours. Thank you for all your support and kind words I can’t wait for @bbcstrictly to start #strictly2018 pic.twitter.com/6B6hVzoWte

— Neil Jones (@Mr_NJones) August 25, 2018

I'm absolutely gutted that Neil won't have a partner for a third year. I really like Neil, and I'm dying to see what he could do as a choreographer. It's very unfair.

It's also hard to Luba and Johannes to connect with the audience if they don't have partners.

Celebrity No. 15: Susannah Constantine

The final celebrity announced was Susannah Constantine.

Susannah said: “I hope to prove pigs can fly (dance). Sick with nerves and jangling with excitement.”

Susannah is best known for presenting What Not To Wear with Trinny Woodall in the early naughties. I never watched it myself, but Trinny & Susannah were everywhere at that time. I knew who she was because they were around all the time for a few years. Until Gok Wan came along.

They spent a lot of time being very 'hands on' with their victims subjects, so personal space shouldn't be an issue for Susannah. But somehow, I don't think dancing is going to be for her. I hope she proves me wrong.

Celebrity No. 14: Charles Venn

Actor Charles Venn has been in a bunch of shows I don't watch - EastEnders, Casulty and Footballer's Wives.

Charles said:  “It truly is a pleasure to be a contestant on Strictly Come Dancing, to be associated with a show that has such a huge following excites and scares me in equal measure! Dancing on Strictly is going to be quite a challenge but life’s all about testing yourself so there’s lots to look forward to, let the games begin..!”

I don't know anything about Charles. I didn't even recognise him when I saw his picture, which seems to be a theme this series. Can't say it really matters, though. I'll know them well in a few weeks time.

Celebrity No. 13: Lauren Steadman

Paralympian Lauren Steadman has competed for team GB in Paratriathlon, winning silver in Rio.

Lauren said: “I still don’t think it has properly sunk in that I’m actually going to be part of this year’s Strictly! I have loved the show since I was young, and it’s a huge thing to tick off my bucket list. I’m more nervous about being on stage, performing live and in front of the judges than I am about the Elite Paratriathlon Grand Final next month! But I’m up for the challenge and excited to swap my triathlon kit for dancing shoes and sequins.”

Lauren was born without a lower right arm. Her website lists salsa as one of her interests. I presume that means dancing rather than nacho dip. So if she's had a few lessons, maybe she'll do well. Past experience of partner dancing is possibly more valuable than teen band choreography. She's also an athlete, so will have that drive that only sports people have. One to watch, I think.

Celebrity No. 12: Lee Ryan

Lee Ryan is the second member of Blue to appear on Strictly.

Lee said: “I’m so excited to be joining this year’s Strictly line-up. It is a real honour for me and I can’t wait to get out on the dance floor.”

Simon Webbe's Argentine tango lives on in people's memories. Lee will have to work hard to make his own mark on the show. He should be pretty good, as like Faye, he will be used to learning choreography.

Celebrity No. 11: Seann Walsh

I know who comedian Seann Walsh is because I watch a lot of comedy and panel shows.

Seann said: “Having seen videos of me dancing on friends’ phones from the night before, it’s safe to say I’m petrified but also so excited. I’m really looking forward to the lifts, the Lycra and the laughs, although as Craig would probably say 'dancing is no laughing matter dahhhhling…’”

I'm afraid that my expectations for Seann are low. I wasn't buoyed any by seeing this clip either:



I'm secretly hoping he gets a Jay McGuiness style haircut, though.

Celebrity No. 10: Kate Silverton

Kate Silverton is this year's news presenter turned dancer.

She said: “I’m excited to confirm that I will be swapping the newsroom for the ballroom and joining this year’s wonderful Strictly family. It’s something of a departure for a news journalist, shifting focus from the headlines to my hemlines and I suspect the only serious element of my life over the coming months will be in training hard and figuring out the foxtrot… but I am so looking forward to the fun, laughter and all the challenges ahead.”

Kate is elegant, just like Natasha Kaplinsky, Katie Derham and many others before her. She'll look perfect, but can she dance? 

Here's a Children In Need clip where she looks pretty good at walking in time at least. That's half the battle!

Celebrity No. 9: Ashley Roberts

An actual Pussycat Doll? Are you kidding?

Ashley said: “I am beyond excited and grateful to be part of the Strictly family! I’m going to put my heart and soul into this new adventure and can’t wait to have fun with the team! Bring on the sequins, glitz and glamour!”

Now, I have never been of the opinion that Strictly participants should have no dance training at all, but when you are the former member of an actual dance troupe, I think that might be a step too far. She has been paid specifically to dance. That's way more than a bit of childhood ballet, or knowing all the moves to Deeper Shade Of Blue. She was a judge on Dancing On Ice. What made her qualified to judge? The fact that she was a professional dancer! For crying out loud!

Who next? Ashley Banjo?

Celebrity No. 8: Stacey Dooley

Someone I have heard of again!

Stacey said: “It’s happening! I'm taking part in Strictly Come Dancing this year and my mother is going to explode. 2018 has already been such an incredible year for me, I’ve done some amazing things and I’m excited to add ‘becoming a dancing GENIUS’ to the list! Typically, work for me is very serious and can be quite hard core so I'm going to soak up the escapism and bathe in the sequins. See you on the dancefloor!”

I've watched a number of Stacey's documentaries, and they are always on pretty heavy subjects. Stacey seems like she will be fun, though. I'm looking forward to seeing he do something a bit lighter. I have a sneaky suspicion that she's not going to be a great dancer, though, and I don't know why.

Celebrity No. 7: Ranj Singh

My Google machine has been working overtime this week. Dr. Ranj Singh is the resident doctor on This Morning.

Ranj said: “I'm so overwhelmed and excited to be part of this wonderful show. It's an absolute dream come true for me! I've been a massive fan for so long, and I can't quite believe this is happening, but I'm going to give it my best shot. Anyone that knows me knows that I love a bit of sparkle... so bring on the glitter! I can’t wait!!”

Ranj's inclusion has re-started the talk about same-sex couples on the show, although the BBC say have they have no plans to pair two people of the same gender.

I don't know anything about him, as I don't see daytime TV. I just hope he can dance.

Celebrity No. 6: Graeme Swann

Yep, I had to Google Graeme Swann as well. Cricketer. I don't watch cricket.

Graeme said: “It’s true - I’ve signed up for Strictly! I’m hoping to follow in the footsteps of the cricketers who’ve come before me who’ve either won the whole thing or had an absolute ball on the show. Keeping it under wraps from my kids has been nearly impossible; they are huge fans of the show and I can’t wait to see their faces when I tell them. I don’t have any background in dancing but can do the floss so let’s hope this comes in useful!”

Four cricketers precede him. Two won their series. Two came deed centre of theirs. Darren Gough wouldn't win now anyway (and shouldn't have won then either - dratted Muppetgate). I think Graeme will probably go the way of Tuffers and Vaughny. Mid-table.

Celebrity No. 5: Vick Hope

I know as much about Vick Hope as I do about Joe Sugg...

She is co-presenter of the Capital FM Breakfast Show alongside Roman Kemp (who I have heard of).

She said: "I’m so excited about being a contestant on this year’s Strictly. I’ve always been such a massive fan of the show so it’s a huge honour to be part of this series. Dances like Ballroom and Latin are totally outside my comfort zone but I love dancing, it makes people happy - myself included. To be able to perform every Saturday is such an incredible opportunity - I couldn’t be looking forward to it anymore and I will be throwing myself into it, working hard and learning from the judges every week.”

I really don't have anything to say about Vick, since I know nothing about her. I'm sure she'll look amazing in the frocks.

Celebrity No. 4: Joe Sugg

There was a lot of talk when social media influencer Joe Sugg, aka ThatcherJoe, was announced as the forth celebrity to be participating in this year's Strictly. There was a lot of debate around whether someone who is not known from traditional 'celebrity' should be invited to take part.

I'll admit that I was as ignorant as most people about who he is. I have heard of about three 'YouTubers', and he wasn't among them.

The whole thing made me think about the nature of social media influencers.

Bloggers were once considered to be social media influencers. I set up my blog in the spring before Series 4. I was a member of four or five forums (remember those?) during Series 3, but became tired of giving the same opinions in multiple places. So I decided I could put all my opinions about Strictly into a blog, and people could come to my page if they wanted to read them. And to my surprise, they did. But it was only ever intended to be a labour of love.

I started to get requests to review books, DVDs and theatre shows. I was approached to talk about Strictly on radio and even on TV.  Of course, I took those opportunities (and still do).

If anyone had asked me to appear on Strictly, I'd have jumped at the chance. But I'm not media-ready in the same way as someone like Joe.

I thought briefly about vlogging, but I didn't fancy seeing videos of myself, let alone sharing them with anyone else. I didn't want to put myself out there in that way. I wanted to keep a degree of anonymity. I thought about podcasting too, but I didn't have the time to learn the technical skills needed to produce something that sounds professional.

Digital natives like Joe already have those skills in their wheelhouse. Joe's videos look professional. Many YouTubers have already made the leap from internet to TV. They are self-taught presenters, so the leap to TV is straightforward.

I'll reserve my judgement for Joe's dancing. I don't judge how he has generated his fame. If people can be 'famous' for living in a certain county, for taking their clothes off for newspapers, for being the partner of the former England football manager, why can't they be famous for posting videos online?

The Fist Three Celebrities: Katie Piper, Faye Tozer & Danny John-Jules

It's annoying when they announce Strictly participants and you're in a different time zone. I've just about been able to catch today's announcements, and here are some early thoughts.

Presenter and author Katie Piper is the first celebrity. Katie said: “I feel so privileged and excited to be part of my favourite show on TV. I already know how much of an amazing experience it will be for me and I can’t wait to show my girls some of my new dance moves. I’m nervous to put on my dancing shoes but can’t wait to learn a new skill and have the Strictly tan and makeover!”

Katie is a fantastic choice for Strictly. She's such a wonderful, inspirational person. You cannot not like her. She's tough, too. I think she'll take to the training well. She's very fit, so will hopefully have the stamina, but can she dance? 

Next up is Steps star Faye Tozer. She said: “Being on Strictly is literally a dream come true! It’s everything my 9 year old self ever wanted from showbiz and I’m going to relish every moment!”

I can't hear myself think over the cries of 'ringer'. We all know Faye can dance. She was in Steps, for goodness sake. The clue is in the group's name! She even did partner dancing in the video to It's The Way You Make Me Feel. 

Today's final announcement was actor Danny John-Jules. Danny said: “Having spent the last few months on two wheels motorcycling around South America in pink leathers, I’m absolutely delighted to be getting back on two feet and into something more comfortable like glittery spandex.”

I know Danny has been in lots of things, but he's definitely best known for his role as Cat in Red Dwarf. Cat was a sharp dresser and sharp mover. He's also a bit of a ringer on the quiet, having been in west end musicals. Check out this clip of a highly choreographed routine backing up singer Lena Zavaroni:

Ringer, if ever I saw one. But still a good choice.

If the first three are any indication, this is going to be one heck of a series.