THEN & NOW
The choreographer and TV star, 78, was recently made a Dame
THEN, I WAS MOST PROUD OF… The work I did as a choreographer for music videos. I was hopping on and off planes, living a life of glitz and glamour, and getting to work with artists like Duran Duran for The Wild Boys and Elton John for I’m Still Standing. NOW… I was made a Dame earlier this year, which was the most surreal experience. I feel like all the Dames – such as Judi Dench and Helen Mirren – belong to an elite club that I’m too normal to be a part of. I USED TO LOVE WATCHING… Mindless TV like Midsomer Murders, when I had a minute, but I rarely had time to properly sit down and watch that many shows. I never really watched Strictly Come Dancing when I was on it, but I really think it brought the public’s attention to Latin and ballroom dancing in a revolutionary way. NOW… Russell T Davies’ It’s A Sin on Channel 4 is one of the most incredible TV series that I have ever seen. It was such a powerful watch and really reminded me of living through that time.
BACK THEN, I WAS WEARING… Designer dancewear like Bodymap. Even though I was always in rehearsal clothes, I’d try to look good. While on Strictly, my signature look was a black jacket. I had incredible ones, but I got a lot of criticism because they all looked the same on telly. NOW… I’m still always in rehearsal clothes, but I’m less particular now. I love a Pineapple tracksuit.
THE CELEBS YOU’D FIND ME HANGING OUT WITH WERE…
Some pretty big A-listers, like Tom Cruise. I made a film with him called Legend and every Sunday afternoon, he would host a soirée with some of the cast and crew. I worked with Freddie Mercury on some of his music videos and he, too, would then invite me to any parties he was having – same with Elton John.
NOW… I’m still very close with Andrew Lloyd Webber and his second wife, Sarah Brightman, having worked with them so many times through the years.
MY GUILTY PLEASURE USED TO BE… Chocolate with a capital C! I always had a bar of Cadbury’s Whole Nut in my bag.
NOW… I love a violet-flavoured macaroon that melts in the mouth. THEN, I USED TO THINK… If you have a name that people recognise and a voice that people listen to, use it to shout for charities and good causes. NOW, I WOULD TELL MY YOUNGER SELF… Don’t let fame rule your life because it could be gone in an instant.