Magic! Debbie dons Paul’s ring on Strictly stars’ day off
DEBBIE McGee showed off her wedding ring yesterday in a break from rehearsals after deciding to take it off in the run-up to tomorrow’s Strictly Come Dancing final.
She feared that the ring, from her marriage to the late magician Paul Daniels, could be dangerous to herself and dance partner Giovanni Pernice.
However, as she and the other Strictly finalists arrived at BBC Broadcasting House in London, Debbie’s ring was back on her hand – along with some other hand candy.
Last month, while brushing off rumours of a romance between herself and 27-year-old Giovanni, Debbie said of her absent wedding ring: “I’ve never worn jewellery at a rehearsal ever, especially doing these rehearsals.”
Whisker
Debbie, 59, who said she has this week been battling a cold, was joined by Giovanni at the pre-final press conference, together with fellow finalists singer Alexandra Burke, presenter Gemma Atkinson and actor Joe McFadden. They gathered as it was announced this year’s series is officially the most popular in the programme’s 14 years on screen.
The show has attracted an average 11 million viewers every weekend in 2017, beating by a whisker last year’s peak of 10.9 million.
The figures, compiled by the Press Association, show how Strictly has become one of the BBC’s biggest success stories of recent years – and how rival The X Factor has tumbled in popularity since the start of the decade. In 2010, the ITV talent show was watched by an average of 14.1 million people every week. This year the figure was just 6.3 million.
At Broadcasting House yesterday Alexandra was in good spirits as she flashed a smile upon arrival, as was Gemma who braved the winter weather in a dress but no coat.
Dance partners Gorka Marquez (with Alexandra), Aljaz Skorjanec (with Gemma) and Katya Jones were also spotted arriving.
The four celebrities will take to the dance floor tomorrow for the last Strictly of the series, where one of them will win the coveted glitterball trophy.
And on current form, there’s a chance the final will be one of the mostwatched in the show’s history. Last
year the final had overnight ratings of 11.8 million, rising to 13.3 million when the full ratings were published.
The biggest-ever audience for Strictly final was 14.3 million in 2010.
It was also revealed yesterday that the four finalists will be joined by fellow contestants Susan Calman, Davood Ghadami and Jonnie Peacock for the Strictly Come Dancing Live UK Tour 2018, which kicks off next month.
Comedian Calman and her dance partner Kevin Clifton, who were the ninth couple to be voted off the show, will reunite for the tour, along with EastEnders star Ghadami and Nadiya Bychkova and Paralympian Peacock and dancer Oti Mabuse.
Strictly judges Craig Revel Horwood, Darcey Bussell and Bruno Tonioli will join the tour, although head judge Shirley Ballas will be absent.
Last year’s Strictly champion Ore Oduba will host.
Holby City actor Joe said: “I honestly didn’t think I’d make it past the first few weeks on Strictly, let alone get to go on the tour.”
The tour kicks off at the Arena Birmingham on January 19 and will visit Newcastle, Leeds, Manchester, Belfast, Glasgow and Nottingham before ending with the first of four nights at London’s O2 Arena on February 8. Tickets for the tour are on sale now. The Strictly Come Dancing Grand Final airs tomorrow night at 6.30pm on BBC One.