‘I’m flattered people think that Giovanni fancies me’
Our columnist on those romance rumours, getting the giggles and mastering the tricky cha-cha-chá
I’ve had the giggles all week. Giovanni has discovered that I’m ticklish – he just has to poke me in the ribs and I’m gone. But it’s also because this week’s routine is hilarious: Giovanni is playing a delivery man and I’m a sexy secretary. Our dance is the cha-cha-chá and we start with me sat typing at a desk. I begin wearing glasses and then when he comes in, I throw them off. Giovanni pulled me up in rehearsal the other day and said: “Are you typing or playing the piano?” We’ve taken note of what head judge Shirley said about spending too much time setting up the story. We also got pulled up last week by Craig for being out of hold and breaking the “10-second rule”. Even the professional dancers didn’t know where that had come from!
The cha-cha has been the hardest technique for me to pick up. You have to keep your legs straight and be loose in the hips. Sure, being Paul’s assistant I was always getting in and out of boxes, but I had to stand up straight on stage, pulling my tummy in, because that’s what looks nice. So, to go the other way is very difficult. What has helped, however, was going to see Young Frankenstein at the theatre. I find watching good performers inspiring. I saw another Mel Brooks show, The Producers, on Broadway years ago and I didn’t want to go to bed afterwards. I was dancing up the middle of the street because I felt so good. I felt a bit like that again and it got me all revved up for training.
Movie week was totally crazy, but if you don’t embrace it then you just look stupid. If you feel self-conscious and nervous then the audience feels it too. Poor Charlotte [Hawkins] – she’s a newsreader, a job where you can’t show your emotions. With Strictly you have to give your soul. As for Brendan and Shirley’s spat, we all just thought “Oh, here he goes again!” Like me, Charlotte isn’t confrontational so I’m sure she finds it awkward. I was quite surprised that Richard [the Reverend Coles] went. He used to be a performer, but he’s not a natural mover. I accidentally revealed that he was knocked out on my Sunday morning radio show (it’s no secret that we also film the results on a Saturday). Everyone has laughed about it because they thought I’d be the last person to do it. I half expected for Giovanni to put Sellotape across my mouth!
I think it’s totally flattering that people think that Giovanni, who is 30 years younger, fancies me. I read all the headlines and it makes me laugh. We have a lovely friendship and a great chemistry, but going out with someone is totally different. We’re dancing our cha-cha to The Shoop Shoop Song (It’s in His Kiss). Let’s just say, there’s always a possibility for another kiss, even if it’s not in the choreography!
Debbie was talking to Rachel Ward; Strictly Come Dancing is on Saturday on BBC One at 6.45pm