I have got to be on fire for every show
Dancer Erin Boag tells MARION McMULLEN about her pre-show routine and why she goes for comfort, not heels, when she’s off stage
Are you watching the new series of Strictly Come Dancing?
OH, YES, I like to know what’s going on. I don’t always know all the celebrities at the start because I don’t really watch shows like Corrie, EastEnders, Hollyoaks or Made In Chelsea, but you come to know the faces and by the end of the series you are cheering on your favourites. There is someone in it for everyone.
You’ve partnered everyone from Julian Clary and EastEnder Ricky Groves to impressionist Rory Bremner and goalkeeper Peter Shilton on Strictly. What advice did you give everyone?
IT’S HARD to know how people are going to do. Everyone is extremely nervous at the live shows. They can start off good and then stay at the bottom or they can just get better and better.
People can be fine in the studio, but 70% of the training can go out the window when it comes to the live shows. You just have to be there to hold their hand. (Laughs) A glass of wine can help as well.
What’s the secret of Strictly’s success?
THIS is the 17th series of Strictly. Who would have thought all those years ago how popular it would become? The first year there were two series. The first was just eight weeks long, then they thought ‘Let’s chuck another one on in this winter and see what happens’. They later decided the winter one was the one to go for. It’s what everyone wants to see on cold winter nights.
You and Anton du Beke will be celebrating 12 years of touring next year with new dance show Dance Those Magical Movies. How do you both manage all your commitments?
ANTON will be busy with Strictly until the third week of December. From January 2 he will be back in the studio for our tour and he won’t finish until the end of March.
When I was doing Strictly I would say goodbye to my husband Peter and say ‘I’ll see you at the end of March.’ The professional dancers work full on.
It’s not just performing on a Saturday night, they are training seven days a week and they are working on the choreography too. Who could you see playing you and Anton in the movies? (LAUGHS) Oh, I’ve never really thought of that. Rob Brydon could play Anton or maybe Woody from Toy Story. Woody looks like Anton. I’ve no idea who would play me. I’ll have to give that some thought. We’ve been dancing together now for 23 years. (Laughs) I was a child when we got together. I remember we were in China in 2004 representing England in ballroom and Brendan Cole and Camilla Dallerup were there representing England in Latin dancing and we both got the call when we in China saying we were going to do Strictly.
Will there be lots of Hollywood glamour on the new tour?
THE costumes will be fantastic and are done by the same team that make everything for Strictly. We already have the orchestra and other dancers in place as well.
I don’t have any superstitions on tour, but I do have my pre-show routine.
I pack really comfortable clothes. I used to walk around in four-inch high heels all the time, but I don’t do that any more. I do comfort. I put on the heels on the dance floor and they come off as soon as I’m finished.
I like to get to the theatre really early. I like time to do my hair and make-up. I don’t like to feel rushed.
Every show is someone’s first time so every show has to be good. I have to be on fire for every show.
Some nights it can be difficult but, as soon as you walk onto the dance floor, you always feel great.
●●Anton & Erin – Dance Those Magical Movies is at Leicester’s De Montfort Hall on February 7 and the Royal Concert Hall in Nottingham on March 3.
Rob Brydon could play Anton in a movie... or maybe Woody from Toy Story. I’ve no idea who would play me Erin Boag’s screen dream