Good golly Miss Mollie! Strictly waltzes back
It was never like this with Len!
WHEN joining the ranks of the biggest dance show on television, standing out is key.
And no one took that mantra more seriously at last night’s glamorous Strictly Come Dancing launch than new head judge Shirley Ballas.
Although it was the first opportunity for the celebrity contestants to show their moves, the ‘Queen of Latin’ ensured all eyes were on her as she enthusiastically shimmied along the red carpet at London’s Elstree Studios with Bruno Tonioli.
Indeed, the 56-year-old looked like she might prefer to have been picked as a dancer rather than replacement for Len Goodman as she showed off some exuberant moves, alongside Darcey Bussell and Craig Revel Horwood.
At one point in their eye-catching double act, Miss Ballas playfully pushed Tonioli to the floor, while another energetic move left him awkwardly staring directly down the front of her black evening gown.
Meanwhile, Tess Daly scored in the fashion stakes with a revealing black dress featuring two thigh-high splits, as she joined co-host Claudia Winkleman, who looked more demure in an off-the-shoulder ruffled blue dress.
The new celebrity contestants were also trying their best to sparkle, and, in the case of the lesser-known stars, catapult themselves into the public consciousness.
Mollie King, from girl band The Saturdays, gave a solo dancing display in a skimpy yellow dress, which at points revealed slightly more than intended as the tasselled panels flew up. The 30-yearold, who is no stranger to dancing in front of a crowd, did not seem to be lacking in confidence in her ability, and is likely to be considered a strong contender.
Similarly, ITV presenter Charlotte Hawkins showed off her best moves as she took to the red carpet in a blue sequined dress. Yet her partner for the evening, Church of England vicar and broadcaster the Rev Richard Coles, looked slightly less sure of what to do as he emerged on the set.
The 55-year-old, who describes himself as overweight and arthritic, attempted to keep up with Miss Hawkins with ‘daddancing’ moves reminiscent of last year’s audience favourite Ed Balls.
While his moves offered comedy value, he disappointed fans who were hoping he might don a diamante-studded dog collar for the series, which is known for its glitz and glamour.
Paralympic star Jonnie Peacock, who is the first disabled contestant ever to appear on the show, opted to cover up his prosthetic right leg in a pair of black trousers.
In another example of a new recruit stealing the show, Ukrainian blonde bombshell Nadiya Bychkova – who has appeared in Slovenian Playboy magazine – turned heads during a display by the professional
dancers. The 28-year-old, who is one of three fresh dancers to join this year’s line-up, did not seem fazed when her yellow dress flew up as she danced in the arms of Strictly stalwart Brendan Cole.
The new series will begin on BBC1 next Saturday, with a tribute to the late Sir Bruce Forsyth, who presented the show alongside Miss Daly for ten years.
Miss Ballas will be hoping to win over fans of the show, which is now in its 15th series, yet she has already demonstrated she is not one to mince her words.
She addressed the notorious ‘Strictly Curse’ in an interview, telling The Sun: ‘If you’re locked up in a room and you’re coming out in your little sensual clothing and men are baring chests and you’re there every week and you have to do romance, it’s difficult not to have chemistry. I mean, we need chemistry on the show. Who’s to say who falls in love with who?’
The former professional dancer is no stranger to relationship trouble in the dance world, as both of her marriages have been to former dance partners.
Her second husband, Corky Ballas, is rumoured to have left her for former Strictly professional Kristina Rihanoff.