THE FINAL COUNTDOWN Em: Strictly was nearly Ender me! STAR GETS BUM DEAL
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OTI Mabuse called her dance partner Kelvin Fletcher “Kevin” for the first month they were together, rival Anton Du Beke revealed.
Now she and Kelvin are the favourites to win.
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Daily Star Guest Editor Kevin The Aldi Carrot can see why she made the mistake – because it’s a winning name.
STRICTLY finalist Emma Barton has revealed that training with veteran dancer Anton Du Beke has literally been a pain in the bum.
The EastEnders star – who plays Honey Mitchell – reckons rehearsals with the professional have not been an easy ride as she has been left battered and exhausted.
She explained: “In the Charleston, it was fast and high intensity.
“We smashed it all week then on the Friday morning we got to the studio and I pulled a muscle in my bottom. I did panic.
“I had big plasters on the right cheek. It worked because I got through it but the hardest part has been finding the stamina.
“You think you’re fit and strong. I had a personal trainer but you can’t compare this to doing a session at the gym.
“You’re constantly on your feet all day. It’s mental and physical.”
Praying
Emma and Anton are competing in tonight’s Strictly final against bookies’ favourites Kelvin Fletcher and Oti Mabuse and Karim Zeroual and Amy Dowden.
Anton, who has been on the BBC One show since it launched in 2004, is praying for a win. He has never been champion and this is only the second time he has been in a final.
In many previous years he has been given dance duds to work with.
He said: “Can we win? Of course we can. To make the final is just a joy – beyond exciting. I wish I could remember what it felt like the last time – the only other time...”
Anton also believes all three finalists should do a stage show together.
He added: “I’d love to see all three of them do something that had dance in it – something in the West End, something musical.”
● The Strictly final is tonight on BBC One at 7.05pm.