Watching dance hit is Dirty work, but someone has to do it

It was a bit rich of the narrator of Channel 5’s The Dirty Dancing Story to express amazement that people are still talking about the movie 30 years after its release.

It’s on Channel 5 pretty much every other month, mate. Is there any wonder people are still talking about it?

Don’t take that as a criticism, though. I’ve seen it well over a hundred times, but whenever it pops up in the listings I’m there again – watermelon or not.

So I was more than ready for this documentary. And it didn’t disappoint, with an hour’s worth of lively anecdotes from celebrity fans and people who actually worked on the movie.

That said, I was a bit gutted when the revelation about Sarah Jessica Parker getting down to the last two for the part of Baby was followed by rare footage of Jennifer Grey’s final audition with Patrick Swayze.

I mean, it was nice to see that – but what I really wanted was a glimpse of SJP’S failed effort.

Elsewhere, I was a touched by Tamzin Outhwaite’s confession that she had spent much of her life looking for a man like Swayze’s Johnny.

And I was stunned by Sarah Harding’s giggles as she recalled the Hula Hana number performed by Baby’s sister Lisa (Jane Brucker): “She just can’t sing, can she? Bless her.” (So tempted right now to send Jane some DVDS of Sarah’s acting in Coronation Street).

My favourite tale, though, came from Kelly Bishop (Baby’s mum), who admitted that, thanks to some generous crew members and a secret stash of whisky, half of the cast were absolutely bladdered by the final scene.

As most viewers will no doubt be the next time the film is shown on Channel 5.

NB. By my calculations, that should be this Sunday.

MOVING Swayze & Grey in hit