Nd up with a tear in your eye’
Mabuse and I achieved; she is, quite simply, the best. And her sister, Motsi, now a judge on the show of course, was a huge help. Oti would make me watch professionals dancing whatever our given dance was that week and then she’d send videos of how we were getting along to Motsi who’d critique them.
“The truth is that I’d never once seen Strictly before I was in it but we won more gigs on the Strictly tour than anyone else. So, in the end, I got to take home my own glitterball. It’s so large and garish, though, I have to keep it in the loft.”
AFTER Strictly, Danny went on to star in a production of On The Town at the Open Air Theatre in London’s Regent’s Park. “Quite an experience,” he says. “I’ve never looked into the eyes of an audience before and it felt strange being able to see all the way to the back row. If I’m truthful, I quite enjoy looking into the darkness of an auditorium.” It was during rehearsals for a revival of White Christmas in which he starred in the West End that the Prettywoman auditions came up.
He was around for the first one but then too busy for any more until they approached him again and he was offered the role more or less on the spot.
The film in general and Richard Gere’s iconic performance in particular must cast a long shadow. “They do, but it’s not as if we’re trying to get away from that.we’re giving audiences the film with songs thrown in for good measure.
“But they have to work in the context of the story. I love musicals but I do struggle with ones that are frilly and pointless.” A face-splitting grin. “With this show, though, you’ll end up with a tear in your eye and a heart full of love.”
Spoken like a trouper.
● Prettywoman is at London’s Piccadilly Theatre.
Box office: 0844 871 7615 or via Prettywomanthemusical.com