… secrets of the stars aiming for the Glitterball
TELL HOW THEY ARE PUTTING THEIR BEST FEET FORWARD TO WIN THE GLITTERBALL
‘ I’ve wanted to do Strictly since my bandmate did it ten years ago’ Tom
As the leaves turn a shimmering shade of gold, it can only mean one thing: the return of glitter, sparkle and sequins as Strictly Come Dancing returns to our screens for the autumn.
This year’s crop of 15 celebrity contestants includes rival soap stars, actors, presenters, musicians and an Olympic champion, who have revealed the reasons they signed up and what they’re most looking forward to.
For The Voice and Big Brother’s Bit on the Side presenter AJ Odudu, taking part in the hit BBC1 show will be the perfect way to make up for all the clubbing she’s missed out on during lockdowns.
“I’ve not socialised, I’ve not danced and I’ve not listened to music in a normal capacity so what better way to be reintroduced to all of that in the best way possible,” says AJ, 33.
“I have zero previous experience… but I’ve always liked clubbing. I’m confident when it comes to hitting the dancefloor, but whether I should be confident, I’ll leave it to everyone else at home to decide.”
Meanwhile, author and McFly singer Tom Fletcher is hoping to follow in the talented footsteps of his bandmate Harry Judd, a previous winner of the Glitterball trophy. “I think secretly, somewhere deep down, I’ve wanted to do Strictly since my bandmate did it ten years ago,” says Tom, 36, whose wife Giovanna was crowned Queen of the Castle in last year’s I’m a Celebrity... Get Me Out of Here!. “I want to do it before I get too old… I already can’t touch my toes.”
And social media star Tilly Ramsay thinks facing the panel of judges will be a breeze compared to living with her father, celebrity chef Gordon.
RECIPE FOR SUCCESS
“I think I’ll take criticism pretty well; I do live with one of the harshest critics in my house – Dad – so I’m pretty used to that kind of stuff,” says the 19- year- old influencer, who is often seen performing fun dance routines alongside the Hell’s Kitchen star for her 9.5 million TikTok followers.
“Dad is very excited for me to be taking part. I think he’s always wanted to learn how to dance, but he’s just not very good at all. He definitely has got two left feet.”
Strictly will be returning to its usual format and will include live audiences this year following last year’s pared- back version, which involved social
‘ Dad’s always wanted to learn how to dance, but he’s just not very good’ Tilly
distancing and Covid- 19- secure bubbles.
Fresh from winning gold in the 100m breaststroke at the Tokyo Olympics, Adam Peaty, 26, will be hoping to add the Glitterball to his trophy cabinet, which includes two more Olympic golds, two silvers and eight world championship winner’s medals.
“I’m extremely competitive,” says Adam. “I’d like to think I’ve got one up on a lot of the other contestants in terms of my sports performance head, but then again, this is a very different kind of sport so I’ll be starting from nothing.”
BBC Breakfast presenter Dan Walker says he’s looking forward to some light relief after a year of reporting on the pandemic.
“The last 18 months have seen so much death, misery, heartache… I just thought that you don’t get many opportunities to do stuff that is just fun and joyful,” reasons Dan, 44, who says his children Susanna, Jessica and Joe begged him to do the show.
‘If I get just one: “Dad, that was good!” from my children that would be great’ Dan
FRIENDLY ADVICE
He’s also had plenty of advice from celebrity friends, including Zoe Ball and his colleagues and former contestants Mike Bushell, Naga Munchetty and Carol Kirkwood. “They just told me to enjoy it and that I’m perfect for the show as I don’t take myself too seriously. They’ve all really encouraged me,” he says.
“My wife said: ‘ Have they seen you dance?’ and my kids asked me not to dance with my mouth open. If I get just one: ‘Dad, that was good!’ that would be great.”
In a first for the show, TV chef John Whaite will be paired with a male dance partner. “I
was wearing glitter in the womb,” laughs John, 33, who won the third series of The Great British Bake Off. “I’m excited for the sheer tops, tight trousers, the spray tans, hair and make-up. It’s glamorous and over the top but it’s a Saturday night.”
Meanwhile, EastEnders star Rose Ayling- Ellis will make history as Strictly’s first deaf contestant. “I feel like it’s so important for somebody like me to be on the show; I want to break down the stereotype that deaf people can’t dance and can’t enjoy music,” says the 26-year-old actress, who plays Frankie Lewis in the BBC1 soap and says her partner must be able to communicate well.
“In sign language we speak very literally, so I need someone who understands that,” she explains.
Katie McGlynn, who left her role as Coronation Street’s Sinead Tinker in 2019 and now stars as Becky Quentin in Channel 4’s Hollyoaks, will be adding more soap-star glamour.
“I actually just want to learn how to dance because I haven’t got a clue,” says Katie, 28.
Greg Wise, who played Lord Mountbatten in The Crown and is married to Emma Thompson, is competing in memory of his sister Clare, who died of cancer five years ago. “I am doing it for my lovely sis, a disco diva queen goddess on the dancefloor,” explains Greg, 55. “She left this world in a glitterball coffin and my life will be all glitterballs for the next few months, so it seems really appropriate for her.
‘I am doing it for my sis, a disco diva queen goddess’ Greg
LEARNING CURVE
“I can’t dance, so that’s the challenge,” he adds. “This morning I thought the rumba was a pudding and the Viennese waltz was a biscuit, so I have no idea about anything.”
Actress and comedienne Nina Wadia, CBBC presenter Rhys Stephenson, Dragons’ Den panellist Sara Davies, former rugby union pro Ugo Monye and Loose Women
presenter Judi Love are also joining the line-up, along with Peep Show star Robert Webb, who left audiences in stitches in 2009 when he performed a Flashdance routine in a leotard for Let’s Dance for Comic Relief.
The father of two says having emergency surgery two years ago for a prolapsed heart valve was behind his decision to join Strictly.
“This is no time to be cool,” he says. “It’s just a straightforward wish to jump up and down in funny costumes for the viewing pleasure of the ladies and gentlemen of the British public, mainly.
“You can spray me most colours, but I just don’t want to look like Donald Trump.”