Comedian Brian and dancer Amy get our vote
THERE are many reasons for Welsh fans of Strictly Come Dancing to support Brian Conley – not least that the telly comic has been paired with the TV show’s first Welsh professional dancer Amy Dowden.
However, there is an even greater argument for throwing your support behind the comedian, not least that he used to live in Wales and has a long-forgotten Welsh comedy band to thank for launching his career.
The TV star, famed for his “It’s a puppet!” catchphrase is no stranger to South Wales audiences after appearing in panto here many times.
And Cardiff is the place he called home right at the very beginning of his stellar showbiz career in the late ‘70s.
“One of the first jobs I ever had was in Welsh comedy showband Tomfoolery,” recalled the man who started out as a holiday camp entertainer, working as a Pontins Bluecoat at the age of 16.
“It was 1979 if I remember rightly and I was 19. I was with them for four years when I lived in Wales. I loved it.”
Brian said he joined the band by default and has his very first panto to thank for his big break.
Even if it meant displacing another famous face in Welsh comedian and radio presenter Owen Money in the process.
The comic, then known by his real name Lynn Mittell, was the frontman of the outfit at the time.
“The story is that they were looking for a drummer and I volunteered my services, even though I’ve never drummed in my life,” Brian remembered.
“I was just a young kid looking for a break. I didn’t know that the rest of the band had got the hump with Lynn because he was getting rid of the drummer.
“Anyway to cut a long story short I was thrown in as the frontman.
“And I remember vividly where I was when it happened; I was in panto, it was Robinson Crusoe at The Grand Theatre in Swansea.
“It was a tremendous learning curve for me. I was so young but it was great fun, but after that first panto I was hooked.
“I’d found something that I loved and have continued to love throughout the years.”
The comic, who was speaking to us back in 2010 when he was appearing as Buttons in Cinderella at the New Theatre, added: “When I come back to Cardiff I love to revisit my old haunts like The Cornwall pub in Grangetown and have a pint of Brains Daaark,” he said accentuating the ‘A’ for good effect, while attempting a half decent Cardiff accent.
For Brian’s partner in Strictly, Amy Dowden, the Welsh dancer from Caerphilly who is one fo the show’s three new female professional dancers, she said that appearing on Strictly is wish fulfilment.
“Becoming a professional dancer on Strictly Come Dancing has made my wildest dreams come true, it does not feel real,” said 26-year-old Amy. “I have always been proud of my Welsh roots and feel so honoured to be the first Welsh professional dancer on the most loved show on TV!”