Glamorous Strictly stars kate silverton, lee ryan, susannah Constantine and dr ranj tell all about saturday night’s biggest show
With nerves rising and the stakes high, what’s it really like to be dancing in front of millions on the biggest show on Saturday night TV? Hayley Minn finds out as she speaks to this year’s glamorous Strictly Come Dancing stars…
LEE RYAN, 35, lives in London. He is currently single and has two children, Bluebell and Rayn, from previous relationships. His dance partner is nadiya Bychkova.
STRICTLY STRUGGLE? being tired. but on the plus side, I’ve quit drinking – it’s a good excuse to!
and STRENGTH? I’m a passionate person and I don’t do anything by halves, so if I’m going to do something, I’ll go for it. I don’t know about the steps, but I’m giving it my all. any SURPRISES? the schedule. It’s insane. I don’t know how anyone can do another job at the same time. When simon [Webbe] did it, he was also touring with blue. I loved EastEnders, but I’m glad I’m not doing it now. PRE-SHOW confidence TRICK?
I try to meditate. I used to do this before I’d have big scenes on
EastEnders just to centre myself. I get some incense sticks burning and put peaceful music on.
STRICTLY STYLE? I love the glitz and glam of this show.
NADIYA’S TEACHING STYLE?
Nadiya is amazing, she’s started making me do planks, burpees and push-ups. she’s very good for me. she’s really encouraged me to do better and to cut down on drinking. The judge you’d Like a 10 from? all of them! Nights out with nadiya?
she’s a family person like me – she has a child, and I’ve got kids, so we can relate to each other. a night out with Nadiya would involve going to the theatre or a meal, something very civilised. What has happened to me?
EARLIEST CHRISTMAS MEMORY?
I remember my mum buying me my first guitar when I was about eight and then my sister smashed it over my head when she was annoyed, and it broke!
“Pre-show, I burn some incense and meditate to centre myself”
KATE SILVERTON, 48, lives in London with her husband mike Heron and children wilbur and clemency. Her dance partner is aljaž Škorjanec.
ALJAZ’S TEACHING STYLE? aljaž is a complete dream to work with, and it’s just a lovely dynamic of him working me really hard, but also having fun.
STRICTLY STRUGGLE? the first few days were really hard because I think mentally you’re having to remember these steps, and you’re doing things you’re not used to doing and that are very unusual for your body. and strength? aljaž. We’ve had so much fun together that I hope that shows when we’re on the dance floor together. Pre-show confidence trick? aljaž has a little saying – “let’s go get them!” – which we’ll say before our dance.
STRICTLY STYLE? I love the costumes – I’ve never worn anything like them in my life. they got me in a dress for the launch show that was way shorter than I anticipated, but I was, “bring it on!”
STRICTLY SECRETS? I was very scared about meeting Craig Revel Horwood. but I asked if I could just go over and speak to the judges, and he said, “you! I love watching you read the news,” and we had a big hug and he whispered in my ear, “this doesn’t mean I’ll be giving you a 10 though.” He’s mega nice. wedding dance? Catch the Wind by Donovan. It was a little waltz and I did have an hour of dance lessons, but I managed to mangle it, as I trod on my husband’s toes!
BEST EVER CHRISTMAS? the first one where I had Clemency. We’d been told we should just give up on having children, and when we got married, I was 40 – we’d delayed it because I was having IVF for years. then I fell pregnant naturally at 41, just a few months afterwards. >>
“I was very scared of meeting Craig – but he’s mega nice!”