Once upon a time it sounded like nothing more than fanciful speculation. But now suggestions that twinkle toes Anton du Beke could become successor to Bruce Forsyth as presenter on Strictly Come Dancing do not sound quite as ridiculous as they once did.

The reason for this is that professional ballroom dancer Du Beke, who most recently partnered Kate Garraway on the show, has got his first full-time presenting gig on a new daytime BBC cookery programme. He will front a new BBC2 show which will see members of the public take on esteemed chefs in a head to head battle in the kitchen.

Insiders say bosses at the broadcaster have been pleasantly surprised at how good he is as a presenter and claim he bears an uncanny resemblance to Brucie in his on-screen style. An insider said: "He is fantastic. He is like a mini Bruce Forsyth and he also used to be a baker, so he knows a bit about food. He has not properly presented anything before but he did an excellent job when he was tried out for the part. In terms of succeeding Brucie, it really wouldn't surprise me, he is that good."

Let's face it the BBC needs someone else other than Graham Norton to present its Saturday night shows.

(Taken From http://revoirblog.dailymail.co.uk/2008/03/strictly-speaki.html)

 

 

 

 

According to New Zealand's Sunday Star-Times newspaper, a couple of the professional dancers from the New Zealand version of Dancing With The Stars have expressed an interest to be on the next series of UK Strictly Come Dancing.

 

Taken From Bridget Saunders from Sunday Star-Times newspaper in New Zealand:

 

Hayley Holt (NZ Pro Dancer) is so keen on furthering her dancing career that, the week before Dancing With The Stars started, she flew to London for something like 48 hours to see the Strictly Come Dancing producers. Being one of the show's resident dancers in England would be a brilliant career move. Then, this week, Hayley flew down under her own steam to support her dance mates and to see a BBC guy who was in town to check on the New Zealand version of the show. When she walked in to the Avalon studios in Wellington, everyone was thrilled, but surprised - even more so when she said she'd come "to schmooze" Mr. BBC. I would be very amazed if he wasn't impressed with the divine Miss Holt, but he was seen to spend much of the night chatting with equally leggy blonde, Lauren de Boeck (NZ Pro Dancer).

 

Ballroom judges Len Goodman and Bruno Tonioli have embarked on a hectic schedule of filming in the States for America's Dancing With The Stars.

Speaking at Hollywood's Paley Television Festival, Bruno confessed to being permanently jetlagged as the couple fly between America and Britain to shoot: "For two months we're always tired, we don't know where we are." Len agreed that last year's filming had been particularly gruelling: "Until you do it you don't realise - fly [to LA] on a Sunday, do Monday and Tuesday, fly back to England on a Thursday. But did you notice that we kept our enthusiasm? We were happy go lucky with our boyish grins - professional to the end."

 

 

Tom Bergeron, America's host of their Strictly Come Dancing equivalent - Dancing With The Stars, has confessed to being a huge admirer of his British rival Bruce Forsyth.

Speaking at Hollywood's Paley Television Festival, Tom raved about Bruce's laid back style: "I like the fact that he's just so comfortable in his own skin. There was one time I saw him when the teleprompter wasn't working and he went 'come on deary, just hurry it along' and I thought that's perfect that you're that comfortable on live TV that you're just having a laugh."

The presenter also admitted that seeing the show's British version made him determined to host the show stateside: "They said look at a DVD of Strictly Come Dancing and I loved it. Ten minutes in, and you have to understand I didn't know anybody, but the spirit of it I really liked. It felt like a throwback to old-style variety."

Tom also said working with British judges Len Goodman and Bruno Tonioli is a lot of fun: "The fact that there's this great chemistry among all of us - that I can relentlessly tease them and they know its all good fun and can direct it at me, I think that's part of what makes the show work. I remember Len got particularly cranky towards someone and I ad-libbed 'I'd like to give Len a 10 for his impression of a hardened artery'."

(Taken From http://ukpress.google.com/article/ALeqM5jwqwqZXv8rd01K05LDi9U2PHClZg)

 

 

Comic Johnny Vegas is rumoured to be lined up to star in the next series of Strictly Come Dancing. The 36-year-old comedian from St Helens is said to be top of the “wanted list” for the BBC show. Past contestants have included ex- Liverpool star John Barnes.

(Taken From http://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/liverpool-news/local-news/2008/03/25/twinkle-toes-vegas-on-tv-100252-20670171/)

 

Anton Du Beke, the dapper dancer from TV's Strictly Come Dancing, is single and lives in Central London. Anton refuses to reveal his age. Here he answers our health questionnaire...

How well do you sleep?
I have no trouble with my sleep, but the amount I have varies from four to eight hours depending on my schedule.

Worst pain/illness?
I fractured my wrist as a lad of 12. My friends and I were jumping off a cricket pavilion. Just as the groundsman caught us messing around, I hit the deck, landing on my wrist. It was searingly painful. I remember crying a lot. Mum was furious and made me walk to the hospital. I was always falling out of trees - I'm surprised that I didn't break more bones.

Ever called an ambulance?
No

Are supplements a waste of time?
There are so many inferior ones that you might as well sweep the floor and eat the sweepings. It's got nothing to do with how much they cost. Too many multi-vitamins are packaged as one size fits all, but you should be more specific about what you need. When I was competing as a dancer, I took zinc for healthy skin and immune system.

NHS or private?
The NHS is great but getting a GP's appointment is a bloody nightmare. When you ring up, you want to have an appointment that day, not a week later. It's made worse by people who go to their GP needlessly. I went to an awards ceremony for Children of Courage recently and got very emotional. They'd done nothing to deserve their lot, but then you've got people who don't bother to look after their health. They should get a grip and get fit instead. Give up smoking. Don't get so fat. So much illness is self-induced - which I can't stand. And I'm not a good nursemaid. Don't call me if you're ill.

When were you at your healthiest?
I've been at my peak of fitness since I started high-level competitive dancing in my 20s and realised that being fit could give you an edge. Being fit is the easiest part of being a dance professional. I used to just throw on a backpack full of rocks and run up a hill. You don't even have to go to a gym. Look at Brucie (Bruce Forsyth) at 80. That's what clean living does for you. My only vice is coffee. I have four or five cups a day.

Have you ever felt depressed?
Never clinically depressed, but I've felt pretty low listening to some of the judges' comments on Strictly. If things don't go fantastically, you just have to deal with it.

Do you use alternative treatments?
I went to an osteopath once with a sore shoulder and he cracked my neck and made that hurt without curing the original problem. That gave me the hump. Now I won't be clicked or manipulated by anyone in any way.

When did you last see a doctor?
For jabs when I was going to South America for dance events. But I am rarely ill. A bout of flu recently kept me in bed for a few days. I felt dreadful, but I would never waste the doctor's time with it and I don't want sympathy. Just leave me alone when I'm ill.

Do you prefer male or female doctors?
Female everything. Dancing means getting up close to women - so I'm not worried about a consultation with a woman doctor. They make better doctors than men. They have more compassion.

Have you ever been on a crash diet?
I've always been slim and active. I weigh 71kg and I'm 6ft tall. Diets are all nonsense: they don't work. Just don't get fat in the first place. I've no time for fat people, they should all be shot. What really upsets me is when I see fat kids. They've invariably got fat parents and they're the ones who are to blame. They need a good slap for having forced their bad ways on their kids. When I was at school, there would be one fat kid in the class. Now there are hordes of them. I don't understand the psychology of fat people, nor the flip side of that, size zero. I once taught dance to a girl with an eating disorder. I had to send her back to her mum because she had no stamina. I don't mean to sound like a body fascist. In fact, it can be quite pleasant to have someone with a bit of wobbly flesh dancing with you. I'm in two minds about whether very overweight people should be refused surgery unless they slim down. They have paid their taxes and they're entitled to treatment. But maybe they should be shoved to the back of the queue if someone comes in with a condition which isn't the result of eating themselves to 400st.

Is the female menopause an excuse?
Women's inner workings are a mystery to me. Menopausal women are just reacting to the changes that are going on in their bodies. How can a man question that? I'm full of sympathy.

How do you relax?
I go to musicals, the movies and play golf. I've suffered plenty of stress in the past - I've had money worries, holes in my shoes, not a penny in my pocket and I would get uptight as I was funding my early dancing career myself. I just focused on what I had to do. Now, golf helps.

Lentils or beefburgers?
I don't do junk food. I eat out every day and go to nice places where it's pretty good quality food. I don't know how to cook at all and am not interested. There's nothing in my fridge except milk, fruit juice and champagne, although I'm teetotal.

Is exercise worth it?
Yes. I have a woman personal trainer as I like someone to keep an eye on me, to give me new ideas. She gets cross with me and can be a bit of a nightmare. I exercise three or four times a week and if I haven't been able to, it affects me mentally. I feel out of shape.

How often do you have check-ups?
Rarely. I have my blood pressure checked at the gym, and I've been told that it's fine. But I have been thinking of having one of those all-over BUPA body check-ups. I expect everything would be fine - there are no diseases that run in the family. Dancers get plenty of physical problems - bad backs and joint injuries - but so far I've been quite lucky.

How important is sex to a healthy lifestyle?
Very important. It's good for the body and the mind as long as it's not rubbish sex - in which case you might as well play golf.

Best health advice your mother ever gave you?
She's been a very good role model. She doesn't drive and walks everywhere. She doesn't smoke or drink or touch junk food.

Do you carry a donor card?
Yes - everyone should. I first got a donor card about ten years ago. As I don't drink or smoke, my internal organs would be worth getting, along with my eyes, as I don't wear glasses or have a squint.

Dr Kildare or Dr Who?
I'm not a man for operations - even on TV dramas. I like mystery, so the kind of medical drama I love is Quincy M.E., which I watch in the afternoons.

Hangover cure?
I don't drink. I tried it when I was 17 but used to get really sick. I didn't have the constitution for it. After two or three pints of lager, I would feel quite nauseous. That really put me off, and after a year or so I stopped drinking. At parties, there's always that point in the evening when I slip out, saying I'm going to the loo - but I go home or out for some supper. I can't be around drunks - or people with hangovers. They wander around, feeling sorry for themselves, and I have no sympathy.

I can't live without...
Still mineral water or tap water. I drink two litres a day.

(Taken From http://www.dailymail.co.uk/pages/live/articles/health/healthmain.html?in_article_id=544528&in_page_id=1774&in_a_source)

 

After wining and dining a string of glamorous women, including newsreader Natasha Kaplinsky and glamour model Abi Titmuss, Brendan, 32, has told friends he is ready to settle down with British model Zoe Hobbs, 26. The couple, who were recently snapped canoodling like lovestruck teenagers on holiday in Brendan's native New Zealand, have only been dating for three months, but Zoe has already been to meet his parents and Brendan has told friends he has found "the one".

"He is absolutely smitten. We're just waiting for him to come back to Britain and announce an engagement, we really think it is that serious," says a friend. "Zoe is bright and sassy and incredibly down to earth. We're all very happy he's found such a lovely person. None of Brendan's other girlfriends got to go home and meet his parents. Zoe is obviously special and was a big hit with them."

(Taken From http://www.dailymail.co.uk/pages/live/articles/showbiz/showbiznews.html?in_article_id=542291&in_page_id=1773)

 

 

It's a hard and fast rule in reality TV land that if you want to improve your show each year, you get better contestants.So this year Strictly Come Dancing chiefs are going all out – in a bid to bag a ROYAL.

Judge Len Goodman revealed: “We definitely want a Royal on the show. Princess Beatrice looks like she’d be a good dancer and then there’s Zara Phillips – she’s athletic. A politician would be great too. Some must be good dancers.”

Len, 65, and co-judge Bruno Tonioli, 52, are currently judging a different kind of royalty – The King’s ex-wife Priscilla Presley – after she signed up for the show’s US version. So are her moves up to Elvis’s?

See for yourself on Dancing With The Stars every Friday night on UKTV Gold.

(Taken From http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage/showbiz/tv/article948770.ece)

 

You can now pre-order from amazon.co.uk the Strictly Come Dancing Judge Craig Revel Horwood's autobiography titled 'All Balls And Glitter: My Life'. The book is due to be released on 18th September 2008. The link to this book is below:

 

 

Also you can also pre-order Strictly Come Dancing Head Judge Len Goodman's autobiography from amazon.co.uk. The book is to be released on 4th September 2008, and you can find the link on this site's Book List.  

 

Blue Peter host and Strictly Come Dancing star Gethin Jones is kicking off his Cuban heels to front an Easter Monday radio show. The TV star will be joined by his old teacher Delyth Lloyd who finds out she was the subject of teenage Gethin’s fantasies. A spokesman for the show said: “Gethin himself makes a cheeky confession when speaking to his former teacher – revealing that she was once the subject of many an adolescent teenage boy’s affections in Ysgol Gyfun Glantaf.”

The 30-year-old will also be joined on the 11am Radio Wales programme by Torchwood star John Barrowman, nature TV presenter Iolo Williams, dance expert Anton du Beke, athlete Dame Tanni Grey-Thompson, football legend and fellow Strictly Come Dancing contestant John Barnes, and Radio Wales favourite Roy Noble.

Gethin is promising to play some of his favourite tunes during the two-hour broadcast. The Cardiff-born Welsh speaker said: “When Radio Wales asked me to do it, I jumped at the chance. It’s great to be back in Wales and to be broadcasting here. The guys gave me pretty much a free rein and let me choose the songs I’m playing. They’ve all got a meaning to them.” He added: “The show was so enjoyable to do because I was just chatting to mates really.”

(Taken From http://icwales.icnetwork.co.uk/news/wales-news/2008/03/21/blue-peter-presenter-to-broadcast-on-radio-wales-91466-20654284/)

 

More support should be given to dance in schools, to help find the Darcey Bussells and Billy Elliots of the next generation, a report recommended today. The Government-commissioned review of dance has set out a long-term ambition of having a properly-qualified dance teacher in every school in England, said its chairman Tony Hall. The report's publication came as the Government was expected to announce an additional £5.5 million funding for the subject today.

Following the success of the film and musical Billy Elliot and TV series such as Strictly Come Dancing, interest in dance is higher than for many years. Mr Hall told BBC Radio 4's Today programme: "Dance has been a Cinderella art-form for too long. Investment in dance has been low, it's not really been joined-up and it's been a subject which people have not taken seriously. Yet dance offers so much to young people, from expressing their own creativity to working in teams or just having fun - all sorts of dance, not just ballet but African people's dance, south Asian dance, street dance. All of this offers young people something which is phenomenally important."

Mr Hall said the Government should expand on the existing national dance agency Youth Dance England to encourage young people to get involved. He said: "What I have been saying is that there ought to be around Youth Dance England a properly-funded organisation that can promote dance, both in schools and outside schools."

(Taken From http://www.dailymail.co.uk/pages/live/articles/news/news.html?in_article_id=537012&in_page_id=1770)

 

Britain's Got Talent, Strictly Come Dancing and The Apprentice will go head-to-head for the Programme of the Year title at the British Academy Television Awards. The first series of the comedy sitcom Gavin And Stacey (BBC3), Andrew Marr's History Of Modern Britain (BBC2), and drama adaptation Cranford (BBC1), are also up for the award. The Programme of the Year title is the only TV Bafta voted for by the public, while the nominations are selected by a panel of TV experts.

Britain's Got Talent, the Ant And Dec show won by opera singer Paul Potts last year, is the only ITV title nominated. BBC1 has three nominations, for The Apprentice, Cranford - based on the books by Elizabeth Gaskell - and Strictly Come Dancing, while BBC2 and BBC3 have one each. Last year's winner was Life On Mars.

Anne Marie Flynn, Bafta head of awards, said: "This year's shortlist reflects not only the great diversity of television which has been enjoyed by the public this year, but also the great quality."

(Taken From http://ukpress.google.com/article/ALeqM5ho24WWB8ukrkildBf0cICx2Wk0sg)

 

 

 

 

Adam Carolla (Comedian and Radio Host) and his professional dance partner is Reigning Season Four and Season Five Dancing With The Stars champion Julianne Hough.

 

Cristian De La Fuente (International Film Star) and his professional dance partner is Season Two and Season Three Dancing With The Stars champion Cheryl Burke. 

 

Steve Guttenburg (Movie Star) and his professional dance partner is Anna Trebunskaya.

 

Mario (R&B Singer) and his professional dance partner is Karina Smirnoff.

 

Penn Jillette (Magician) and his professional dance partner is Kym Johnson.

 

Jason Taylor (NFL Man Of The Year) and his professional dance partner is Edyta Sliwinska.

 

Shannon Elizabeth (Film and Television Star) and her professional dance partner is Derek Hough.

 

Marlee Matlin (Academy Award winning Actress) and her professional dance partner is Fabian Sanchez.

 

Priscilla Presley (Actress, Producer and Entrepreneur) and her professional dance partner is Louis Van Amstel.

 

Monica Seles (Tennis Champion) and her professional dance partner is Jonathan Roberts.

 

Marissa Jaret Winokur (Broadway Star) and her professional dance partner is Tony Dovolani.

 

Kristi Yamaguchi (Olympic Figure Skater) and her professional dance partner is Mark Ballas.

 

The hosts of the show is Tom Berguron and Samantha Harris. The judges will be Strictly Come Dancing's Len Goodman and Bruno Tonioli, and they are joined by Carrie Ann Inaba.

 

The Sixth Season of Dancing With The Stars starts in the US on Monday 17th and Tuesday 18th March. The UK screening of the show starts on UKTV Gold on Friday 21st March from 8pm.

 

 

 

 

 

As one of the biggest stars of BBC1's Strictly Come Dancing, Brendan Cole has become something of an expert at sensually embracing beautiful women. But the ballroom dancer seemed to take things a little far when he took his latest love Zoe Hobbs for a romantic stroll last week. As the pair ambled through the streets of Auckland, New Zealand, he decided the time was right to squeeze in a little physical passion.

Cole, who has enjoyed a string of high-profile affairs since shooting to fame, seemed unfazed by making such a public display of affection, despite the stares it attracted from passers-by. The 32-year-old dancer has been seeing Ms Hobbs, a British model, for almost three months, but has taken great care to keep their romance secret - until now. He let his guard slip as the pair strolled arm-in-arm along the city's waterfront, before taking in a romantic meal . . . at KFC. She had a burger, he had chicken pieces and chips.

Cole is in his native New Zealand until next month to make a local version of Strictly Come Dancing following the success of the British original, and persuaded his 26-year-old girlfriend to fly out to join him. An onlooker said: "They couldn't keep their hands off each other the whole way. Brendan's very well known in New Zealand because he's done four series of the British show, which was a huge hit when it was shown here. But although he got lots of stares from people on the street he only cared about Zoe. They were kissing, hugging and holding hands, but when they had to wait for the traffic lights to change at one junction, Brendan started acting like they were in the bedroom."

Cole has been seen out with a number of famous women since splitting up with fiancee and professional dance partner Camilla Dallerup in 2004. She ended their eight-year relationship when Cole became too close to newsreader Natasha Kaplinsky, who was his partner on the first series of Strictly Come Dancing. Since then, his dates have reportedly included Martine McCutcheon, Abi Titmuss and Lady Victoria Hervey. But he seemed keen to keep his relationship with Ms Hobbs under wraps for fear of jinxing the blossoming romance. He has, until now, managed to avoid the gaze of celebrity-watchers, despite attending a Valentine's event - the glamorous Silicone Ball charity fundraiser at London's Porchester Hall - together last month.

Last night, organiser Kaja Wunder said: "They looked like they were boyfriend and girlfriend. They definitely didn't meet at the ball; they came together. Brendan comes to all of our parties." She added that Cole and Ms Hobbs, who wore a flowing cream and gold dress, made a great couple. "She was lovely," she said. "Very beautiful."

Their relationship has apparently been growing stronger ever since, with a source saying: "He couldn't face being apart from her for the two whole months he's in New Zealand. He'd only been seeing her a few weeks when he persuaded her to come out to join him. He's fallen really hard for her and he's been desperate to keep what's happening under wraps. He's very, very protective of her and has sworn everyone around him to secrecy."

While in New Zealand, Cole has been proudly introducing the 5ft 9in blue-eyed blonde to his family. The couple stayed with his mother Karen while in Christchurch, and they also visited his father, Eddie, who is separated from Karen. Ms Hobbs also met Cole's colleagues on Dancing With The Stars - the title of the New Zealand version of the show - at a cast party last week.

Cole's agent Geraldine Woods would not comment on the relationship but Premier Models, which represents Ms Hobbs in the UK, confirmed she would be in New Zealand until mid-April. "She's just on holiday," a spokesperson said. Ms Hobbs models mainly in Germany and Miami, and is also an interior designer.

(Taken From http://www.dailymail.co.uk/pages/live/articles/showbiz/showbiznews.html?in_article_id=535268&in_page_id=177)

 

 

 

Strictly Series Four Winner Mark Ramprakash has won the first Sports Relief Does Strictly Come Dancing with Eastenders actress Kara Tointon. The couple did a Samba which won the top spot on the judges leaderboard. The runners-up were Strictly Series Four Runner-Up Matt Dawson and his partner Musical Theatre Star Elaine Page.

 

 

 

2. Matt Dawson and Elaine Page (Tango) = 25 points  (8,9,8)

 

=3. Darren Gough and Gemma Bissex (American Smooth) = 22 points  (7,7,8)

 

=3. Roger Black and Jade Johnson (Cha Cha Cha) = 22 points  (8,6,8)

 

 

 

 

 

Sports Relief Does Strictly Come Dancing starts tonight from 7.00pm as part of the main Sports Relief show. Famous faces from TV will be partnered with sports people who have taken part in the main Strictly Come Dancing show. They will take on the role of teaching and performing alongside the celebrity, a job which is normally undertaken by the Strictly Come Dancing Professional Dancers. The dancing couples will be:

 

Kara Tointon (Eastenders Actress) and her partner Mark Ramprakash (Series Four Winner)

 

Gemma Bissex (Hollyoaks and Eastenders Actress) and her partner Darren Gough (Series Three Winner)

 

Elaine Page (Musical Theatre Star) and her partner Matt Dawson (Series Four Runner-Up)

 

Jade Johnson (Olympic Long Jumper) and her partner Roger Black (Series Two Contestant)

 

David Ginola (Footballer) and his partner Denise Lewis (Series Two Runner-Up)

 

The hosts of Sports Relief Does Strictly Come Dancing are Bruce Forsyth and Tess Daly. The judges will be Len Goodman, Arlene Phillips and Craig Revel Horwood.

 

 

 

 

 

Prince Charles wants to do a Tango on Strictly Come Dancing, reveals show host Tess Daly. He even showed off some fancy footwork when they met at Highgrove to discuss charity work.

Tess, 36, said: "A few people have told me they would be interested in being on Strictly. I think the most interesting person was Prince Charles. He said he wanted to tango. When he demonstrated, he raised one leg and he had rather good form. He would be a good ballroom dancer. We had a little talk about dancing and I think he is a fan of the show. I thought, 'Just say the word and series six, you're in'. Wouldn't that be wonderful? We even have our own Camilla (Dallerup) on the show whom he could partner."

(Taken From http://www.mirror.co.uk/showbiz/latest/2008/03/12/prince-charles-asks-tess-daly-if-he-can-tango-on-strictly-come-dancing-89520-20348261/)

 

 

Strictly Come Dancing picked up an award at the annual TRIC Awards held at London's Grosvenor House Hotel. Host Tess Daly accepted the Reality Programme of the Year Award for the popular Ballroom dancing show.

 

 

It's usually the X Factor gang holding out for a king's ransom - but it seems there's some shenanigans on Strictly Come Dancing too. Judge Bruno Tonioli and pals Len Goodman, Arlene Phillips and Craig Revel Horwood are apparently doing their own version of the Hussle – to get more moolah for starring in the new series of the BBC1 ballroom hit.

 

They all pocket £60,000 each for the 12-week contest – but they are well aware their X Factor rivals on ITV1 get TEN TIMES that. A show insider tells us: “We want to get the deal done so we can start planning for the show in September. None of the deals have been finalised yet, but all the judges are asking for more cash.”

Bruno and Len confirmed to us that their deals haven’t been signed but they have their hands full judging the new series of Dancing With The Stars – the US version of Strictly – which kicks off later this month. A BBC spokesman sniffed: “We never discuss talent salaries as this information is both private and commercially sensitive.”

(Taken From http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage/showbiz/tv/article894397.ece)