The S ta c e r a c e
BBC keen to hang on to golden girl Does it matter if the celebs have dance training? ANTON DU BEKE AJ PRITCHARD
WALTZES OFF WITH GLITTERBALL
Stacey hits dancefloor in the final Pictures: GUY LEVY/BBC
Insiders say the hot presenter could now become a mainstream star and may even bag a primetime show.
Stacey’s documentaries are often screened in late-night slots on BBC sister channels.
But now execs want to boost her With dance partner Kevin Ashley & Pasha FAYE Tozer and Ashley Roberts are both accomplished dancers, but not in ballroom and Latin. It’s a bit of a disservice to them to say they’re great dancers so they’ll be OK.
They’ve done so well because they got hold of the technique and got it into their bodies. It’s very, very difficult to dance at that level and they came up with some brilliant performances.
The criticism is unfair. Dance training does help initially, but I’ve seen some good dancers do terrible ballroom.
The expectation is so much higher for contestants who have trained in dance.
Then you’ve got Joe Sugg and Stacey Dooley, who have never danced a step.
I never mind who wins, experienced or beginner. We have the joy of the fifth judge – the audience at home, who vote. Viewers are the reason the show stays real and relevant.
Anton is one of the presenters of Help the Animals at Christmas on Channel 5, Friday, 8pm