CONFIDENTIAL
Couples spill beans before tonight’s final
How have you enjoyed your time on Strictly?
J: It’s been the most brilliant, exhilarating thing I’ve done. Katya has been the most important part. She is a really strong character as well as being an amazing dancer. Best moment? J: The Charleston and when we got a 10 from Shirley (for the quickstep). It’s been a brilliant time from start to finish. I don’t want it to end. Please let me stay. How is Joe as a partner?
K: Joe has lived up to all my expectations. He works really, really hard. He is such a cute person. Everybody loves his smile. I saw a lot of potential and thought, “He’s mine.” How do you feel to have made it to the final?
J: This feels like a dream that I never would have dared to have dreamt. I’d never have dared to think I’d still be here with all these amazing women.
I can’t really remember having a life before this
show. I’m going to have to figure out what it is. Has the public support been touching?
J: Everyone wants to talk to you about what Aljaz is like, or whether Anton is as nice as he seems… it is lovely to be a part of a show that is so loved. Do you have any rituals? J: I like to have lots of naps. At least two before every show.
What’s your show dance?
J: I don’t really want to spoil it for people! There’s some dancing in it. We move from foot to foot.
K: We’ve been good at storytelling and taking on characters. It’s quite Christmassy, we’ve gone with a story and there’s slow dancing, and fast dancing. It’s got a solo and lots of surprises. What are your plans for next year?
J: Sleep for a month, find out what my life’s like, pay bills, do laundry. I’ve come out of a TV show (Holby City) so it’s a clean slate. I’m hoping to use the skills this one has drummed into my head. Alexandra & Gorka
Having just lost your mother, it’s been a difficult time.
A: I can’t thank Strictly enough for giving me happiness in a very weird time in my life.
Everyone has made that journey for me so special.
When we got our first 10s for our jive, I said to myself, “That’s for you, Mamma.” How would she have felt if she’d seen you get this far? A: This was my mum’s favourite show and I think she’d be very proud. My mum gave me so much strength, and she still does, and everything I do is for my family. Most memorable dance? A: I never will forget doing that waltz with Gorka because I was shaking so much and he just kept saying to me, “This is just you and me on this dance floor.” He has been absolutely amazing, a real rock to me. Will you stay in touch? A: I’ve booked him next week! I am trying to focus on the joy and the happiness that Gorka has brought me.
You seem to have enjoyed your time on the show?
D: My experience has been nothing but happiness. I have loved everything about it. And mostly because of Giovanni.
He has taught me a lot more than just learning to dance. He has nurtured me.
After Paul died I kind of lost who I was. Strictly has given me my confidence back. Best moment? D: When Shirley handed me her Queen of Latin crown. That cannot be topped.
How is Debbie as a partner?
G: She is the most beautiful partner I could have asked for. I will take away a friend because she teaches me a lot in life.
In the first week when we did the paso doble and I said to her, ”Can you split?” and she did the kick and I was like, “Wow, this is going to be amazing.”
I saw the other ones and thought, “Yeah, beautiful, pretty” but I have got
Flexi Mcgee. What’s on in 2018?
D: I’m so lucky to have been on
Strictly, it opens doors. There’s lots of things bubbling – a yoga video is something I’m going to consider. What is your show dance?
G: We are going to do something elegant and classic. Starting with a story, the song is beautiful and more lifts and splits – why not? And that kick.
D: I wasn’t very well this week so there’s some lifts we’ve only done a couple of times. This dance is very elegant and very emotional and so, as a last dance, it’s a nice swan song. Are you conscious of flying the flag for older women? D: I couldn’t not be conscious of it, I got so many messages and people saying I’ve made them realise no matter what’s going on you can carry on and it doesn’t matter what age you are. The downside is the whole country knows how old I am. What would Paul think? D: He’d be very proud. But &he’d always have thought I’d get to the final. I had to hide my talents away for so long as a magician’s assistant.