Strictly Come Dancing

Coltrane and Haig for Yes, Prime Minister remake

Robbie Coltrane and David Haig will feature in a remake of the classic British sitcom Yes, Prime Minister.

Strictly judge picks Walsh to win

Strictly Come Dancing judge Craig Revel Horwood has predicted that Kimberley Walsh will win the series this season. “Kimberley Walsh at the top, I think she’ll win. Only because she’s danced before, and she’s foxy, she’s hot, she’ll do very well.” Continue reading »

Gold medal winner Victoria Pendleton MBE is the golden girl of British cycling. After winning nine world titles, including a record six in the individual sprint competition, she also went on to win a silver and gold in the London 2012 Olympics. Victoria is the reigning world champion for the sprint and also an Olympic, European and Commonwealth champion. As she swaps her bike for the ballroom, will Victoria’s competitive edge see her through to the final?

What made you decide to sign up for Strictly this year?

For me, retiring after the Olympics was always going to be a bit hard to follow, and knowing what it’s like post competition when you feel a bit lost and a bit ‘what do I do now?’ having something to focus on whether the result was good or bad at the Olympics was a great thing to do. Continue reading »

Lisa Riley became a household name as feisty barmaid Mandy Dingle in the ITV1 soap Emmerdale. Her popularity saw her take over from Jeremy Beadle as host of popular TV show You’ve Been Framed and go on to star in Fat Friends and Scott and Bailey. Lisa has also starred in a string of successful theatre tours including Calendar Girls and The Vagina Monologues. Lisa has a big personality and as an all-round performer, she is sure to keep the judges entertained.

Do you think all of your stage work will prepare you for dancing in front of the audience in the Strictly studio?

I hope so – but I think I’ll be VERY nervous heading into it, especially the first show. I think my mum will be on my shoulder keeping an eye on me and with me every step of the way. It was one of her absolute favourite shows. For the first three weeks on any new show you have a washing-machine stomach, but then things settle down and you get into it. Continue reading »

As one fifth of the biggest girl band in the UK, Girls Aloud, Kimberley Walsh has notched up 20 consecutive top ten singles (including four number ones), five platinum albums and sold in excess of 4.2 million albums. Most recently she has stormed the West End with a sellout performance as Princess Fiona in Shrek The Musical. With her musical background, will she be turning the other competitors green with envy?

What made you decide to sign up for Strictly this year?

It felt like the right time, I had considered it in the past and there was always too much going on and I was a little bit scared of it probably. And then doing Shrek and being terrified to do that but then loving it made me think I’d probably really love the experience if I can be brave enough to go for it, so I am! It’s totally up my street, something I’ll really enjoy, I’m sure I’ll thoroughly embrace it. I thought why wait; go for it whilst I’ve got the chance. Continue reading »

American model and actress Jerry Hall is no stranger to showbiz after becoming one of the top supermodels of the 70s and 80s. Her celebrity status rocketed even further after gracing magazine covers such as Vogue and high profile relationships with rock royalty. She has gone on to become an actress, starring in films such as Batman and on stage in The Graduate and High Society. As she leaves the catwalk for the dancefloor, will she captivate the fearsome judges with her Texan charm?

What are you most looking forward to about taking part in Strictly?

I’m looking forward to learning all those wonderful dances – the Waltz, the American Smooth, and especially the Tango – it’s such a sexy dance, so passionate. It’s all going to be so exciting. Continue reading »

TV presenter and household name Fern Britton is no stranger to the dancefloor after she dazzled the judges in 2010 on the Strictly Come Dancing Christmas Special. Best known for her presenting roles on This Morning and Ready, Steady, Cook, Fern is also a published author and her autobiography remained in the top-10 bestsellers list for 12 weeks. With a real love of all things ballroom, Fern may prove stiff competition on the dancefloor this series.

What are you looking for from your professional dance partner?

Well all of the professional dancers on Strictly Come Dancing are just that – professional. I have the utmost respect for all of them. I think I would choose someone kind, someone patient, but someone who will work me hard. I will give my absolute all if my professional partner is encouraging. Continue reading »

Queen of Essex Denise Van Outen is a star of stage and screen. After beginning her career on The Big Breakfast she has since gone on to command lead roles in the West End and Broadway as Roxie Hart in Chicago, climbed Mount Kilimanjaro and starred in Legally Blonde The Musical. Sexy and self-assured, Denise is sure to set sparks flying on the dancefloor.

What are you most looking forward to about Strictly?

There’s so many things! Firstly of course all the costumes, I’m sure every woman taking part says that. But mainly the dancing, because when I was a kid I just loved to dance, and I can’t wait to just get into it, and be feeling really fit and healthy. I’m really looking forward to the group numbers the most, all dancing together and having a laugh. Continue reading »

Dani Harmer is best known for playing Tracy Beaker in the hit CBBC series The Story Of Tracy Beaker. She played the character for over 10 years and picked up a children’s BAFTA award for Best Drama and a nomination for an RTE award for Best Drama. She has most recently starred in her own series Dani’s House. Determined, fun-loving and feisty she’ll give her all to the competition and is likely to be a bit of a handful for the judges!

What are you most looking forward to about taking part in Strictly?

The thing I’m most looking forward to is learning all the different styles of dance. I’ve always wanted to learn how to Tango, and now I might get the chance! I’m also really looking forward to finding out who my partner is, I’ve never had to dance with anyone else before so it will certainly be a challenge.

Do you think appearing on Let’s Dance For Sport Relief earlier this year will help your nerves going into Strictly?

It will definitely help. Let’s Dance For Sport Relief is like the perfect warm up to Strictly. I know what it feels like to have to learn a routine in a short space of time, and I know what it feels like to have to dance in front of millions of people. That will help, but I’m still incredibly nervous about stepping onto the ballroom floor.

The sparkly Strictly costumes couldn’t be further from your look as Tracy Beaker – are you looking forward to embracing the spray tan and sequins?

I’m quite a tomboy so I wouldn’t say I’m overly excited about the spray tan but I will embrace it and enjoy it. As for the sequins and glitter – I’m a girl, I can’t wait!

Actor Sid Owen is most famous for playing EastEnders character Ricky Butcher, the loveable, hapless mechanic and long suffering husband of Bianca. He played the character on and off for nearly 25 years until his recent departure in June 2012, making him one of the most recognizable faces on UK television. Sid previously ran a restaurant in France and became a published author in 2007 with his cookery book Life on a Plate: The Journey of an Unlikely Chef – he’s a man that can sing, act and cook – but can he dance?

Why have you decided to take part in Strictly this year?

I have enjoyed watching the show over the years and I have had lots of friends that have taken part in it. They have all always really enjoyed it, so I thought it was my time to give it a go! I am really looking forward to the whole experience, but mainly learning to dance and getting dressed up in all the outfits every weekend. Continue reading »

Housewives favourite Richard Arnold is a firmly established journalist and presenter who became known as the cheeky showbiz reporter on GMTV. He appeared on the show for 13 years, leaving in 2010. He has hosted numerous shows since including Loose Lips, and The Planet’s Funniest Animals and also has a weekly column in Hello! magazine. In June 2012 he returned to ITV Breakfast as Showbiz Editor for Daybreak. Fun and flamboyant, will Richard have the insider scoop and impress the judges?

What are you most looking forward to about Strictly?

Up until my costume fitting it was the lustre and the lycra! But then I discovered that the latin pants cut you higher than is faintly decent, and saw a muffin top in the mirror Delia would be proud of. It dawned on me that it’s not everyone who can carry off marabou under a mirror ball on a Saturday night. It didn’t help when the wardrobe department also had to slash my shirt at the back to help me get in it! Continue reading »