‘STRICTLY SHOW
STRICTLY star Craig Revel Horwood has revealed that the show can still go on in September despite coronavirus – but it will be Strictly Social Distancing.
The straight-talking judge says a new format could see dance partners kept apart with performing styles that involve no touching and a two-metre distancing rule.
Aside from planning the show’s new series, Craig is working to publicise the need to continue exercising during lockdown.
The Royal Osteoporosis Society ambassador says weight-bearing exercise is essential for maintaining bone health whether you aim to take to the dancefloor or not.
But he’s at his flamboyant best and his enthusiasm gushes over when he talks about Strictly’s excitingly different format.
So can you really have a dance contest while social distancing? “Yes!,” he cries. “The Charleston you can do separately, there’s lots of dances that you do separately. Jazz, ballet, you can do separate. Commercial dancing is something you can do separate, there’s lots and lots.
“And we did it in Australia with Dancing With The Stars – we had no audience and people were isolated and couples remained isolated and then one couple danced on the rooftop of their hotel so they had loads of time to practise it together because they are in isolation together.
“They could film it at a safe distance on the rooftops and then we judged it from there, so it is possible.”
Of Strictly, he says: “I think the audience will really want it by September, I really do. Some entertainment, some fun watching some celebs.
“There will have to be measures put in place – I judged the Australian final from the comfort of my own front room. It was amazing.
“We will perform! We have to get back to the public.”
Dancing With The Stars, the Australian equivalent of the BBC show, saw one couple forced to isolate in a hotel when a relative tested positive for Covid -19.
Speaking from his rural Hampshire home, Craig says he is coping with lockdown just like the rest of us – by decluttering and
● Stand with your feet hip
width apart.
● Standing tall, raise one knee as high as is comfortable, but no higher than hip level, and swing your opposite arm toward the ceiling.
● Lower your foot back down and repeat on your other leg.
● Continue to march, stamping your feet as they land on the floor.
● Aim to continue for two minutes – reducing the height of your knees if necessary.
Modify the move
● Stand near to a stable surface with one hand on the support if required and take gentler steps ensuring your toes land on the floor first. gardening. He lives with Jonathan Myring, a horticulturist. The couple became engaged last month.
“Coping well! But because it’s raining today it’s drawers time, sorting out and doing the drawers – miscellaneous, darling. I’m doing the kitchen drawers and all sorts.
“Normally I’m so busy – I don’t think I’ve ever stayed in my house longer than a two-week period, ever. The whole world is doing it, so there’s not much you can do about it until the Government see fit that we can all be safe. There is
● Lie on your back, knees bent, hip distance apart and feet flat on the floor – use a pillow under your head for comfort if needed.
● Keep arms relaxed by your side with your palms down and tighten your tummy muscles
● Lift your bottom up from the floor, towards the ceiling, pushing through your feet and squeeze your bottom.
● Keep your shoulders on the floor and your knees close together, and aim for a straight line between your shoulders and knees if this is comfortable
● Hold for 3-5 seconds then gently lower back down to the floor.
● Repeat up to 10 times.
Press up
● Position yourself on all fours with your knees comfortably apart under your hips. Place your palms flat on the floor under your shoulders, pointing your fingers forwards, and look at the floor. Keep your tummy muscles tight and your back straight.
● Slowly bend your elbows and lower your chest until your chin reaches, or is close to the floor, squeezing your shoulder blades back and down.
● Gently return to starting position, keeping your
movements slow and controlled.
● Repeat 8-12 times and try for up to three sets.
● Place your hands on a wall at the level of your shoulders, slightly greater than shoulder width apart, keep your tummy muscles tight and back straight.
● Slowly bend your elbows and move your chest towards the wall until you are as close as is comfortable.
● Slowly return to starting position, keeping your
movements slow and controlled.
● Repeat 8-12 times and try for up to three sets. just Jonathan and myself here so it’s rather nice just to have some time together to sort things out around the house, do some gardening, plant the seeds that we’ve always wanted to plant.
“If you’ve got a pot you can just plant a seed in it and watch it grow. There is something really uplifting about that.
“I am learning how to fly my drone that’s been in the cupboard for three years, so that’s been really good fun.”
One thing he’s not doing at home is letting himself go. He says: “It’s good to do your hair, have a shower and get changed into a shirt, a nice pair of trousers – I don’t think that should stop.
“I think the hair thing is the most difficult thing. I cut Jonathan’s hair. I trained in Australia as a hairdresser whilst I was training to be a dancer so I have at least some skill there but I can’t cut my own hair and I don’t know that I’m willing to get Jonathan to try it.
“I think I am just going to slick it back until I can get a hairdresser.”
On a more serious note, Craig is eager to point out that reduced activity during lockdown can put the health of our bones at risk.
Craig and the team at The Royal Osteoporosis Society have put together key exercises that are easy to do at home... back arches, marching and simple arm presses.
“There is a lot you can do and it only requires 30 minutes a day, which most people have on their hands at the moment,” he says.
‘It’s just about encouraging people to keep moving’