Daily Mirror (Northern Ireland)
Where cha cha cha they now?
Was the real-life love of Brendan Cole before they split, and called the break-up the “most difficult period of my life”. Married Hollyoaks actor Kevin Sacre, 39, in Ibiza in 2010.
Now 43, the Danish dancer lives in Los Angeles and is a successful life coach and author of two books: Strictly Inspirational and Reinvent me. Only female dancer to have competed in 10 series, she left to start a family. Now 42, she’s still close to pro partner Anton Du Beke. They’re currently on a national tour “Anton & Erin - From Broadway To Hollywood”.
“Bridesman” at her 2009 marriage to business consultant Peter O’dowd, Anton is Godfather to their son. Married in 1999, they joined Strictly in 2004.
After leaving Sheffield lad Darren, 40, and Russian Lilia, 39, worked on dance shows all over the world.
They have a little girl, Valentina Rose, now almost three, and are producers and choreographers on Ireland’s Dancing With The Stars. A regular presenter on Strictly’s sister show It Takes Two, he wed boyfriend Drew Merriman last July. Guests included Craig Revel Horwood, Natalie Lowe, Anton Du Beke, Zoe Ball and Denise Lewis. Ian, who teaches dance and zumba, has created a dance fitness programme. Tour with Oti Mabuse starts in Colchester March 20. Lifted the Strictly trophy with Alesha Dixon in 2009, but after coming 16th in series seven the Essex dancer called it a day on Strictly. Afterwards he was a judge on Living’s Diet on the Dancefloor.
Matthew, 44, now teaches zumba and other classes in Croydon at Matico Dance Studio. Joined sister show It
Takes Two presenting choreography corner from 2011 to 2016. That year Karen, 47, revealed
Strictly bosses had approached her about taking Len Goodman’s spot on the judging panel. Mum to Callum, 12 and Taylor, three, she runs a dance studio with husband Conrad Murray.