‘To coin a phrase, we had the time of our lives…’
What did you think when you were approached to host
The Real Dirty Dancing?
If a project has anything to do with movies, I say yes! I’m obsessed with movies. When it’s your job but it’s also your hobby at the same time, it’s a lovely feeling.
Did you fancy any of the characters in the original film?
When the film first came out I didn’t fancy anyone. Then as an adult, it was Jennifer Grey. She starred in Ferris Bueller’s Day Off as Ferris Bueller’s sister. She was so cute, especially when she was on the bridge in the denim shorts, very Kylie-esque!
You’ve got history with this movie, haven’t you?
Yes! Me and Paddy McGuinness did it maybe 14 years ago, I think. He phoned me up and said, ‘Do you want to do this thing for Comic Relief? It’s about Dirty Dancing.’
I went, ‘Yeah.’ Then I phoned him back an hour later, and went, ‘ What we doing again?’ He says, ‘ We’re going to learn the dance that they do at the end.’ I went, ‘I don’t want to. You won’t be able to lift me.’ Then we went into rehearsal and I hated it. I said, ‘If we’re going to do any good in this we’re going to have to fall in love, but not touch each other.’ So we fell in love and became best mates!
So were you channeling Patrick Swayze during this series?
Totally, yeah, but we did a couple of sketches called Johnny’s hobbies, ‘Johnny’s the name, dirty dancing is the game. But I also do other things’ – there’s a series of things that Johnny does when he is not dancing, like painting!
How amazing is Ashley as Baby?
She’s good. But I mean she can dance as well, you know? She showed them how to do the mambo and she learned that dance in half an hour – they were just mesmerised. I think she goes deep into character when she’s dancing. You could have thrown a fish at her and she wouldn’t have looked at you! She’s got no ego at all. Just the loveliest person.
Is it true everyone had the hots for Anthea?
Yeah, everyone. First of all, I think they were in admiration of her because she’s a TV legend, but she still looks like she did when she was hosting Top of the Pops. She doesn’t age. She did really well, too. She was an amazing Baby.
What can fans expect when they tune in?
Just to enjoy a lovely show, I mean, everyone looks like they’re in love! I feel so lucky to have done it, because, to coin a phrase from the show, we really did have the time of our lives.