Strictly Come Dancing judge Len Goodman is threatening to quit the show unless he gets a huge pay rise. He has told bosses the £60,000 he gets for a series means it isn't worth the hassle of flying back from America - where he earns as much for judging just two episodes of the US version of the show.

Host Bruce Forsyth already rakes in £75,000 an episode over here. Len, 66, currently juggles filming the finals of both shows - clocking up 12,000 air miles every week. A TV source said: "Len wore himself out trying to do both shows at the same time at the end of last year. He was leaving the BBC studio and catching the plane to Los Angeles. It is just not possible to carry on like that - unless the money makes it worth his while."

East End-born Goodman - a professional ballroom judge and teacher - has built up a big following on both sides of the Atlantic for his witty analysis and fruity comments. A BBC spokesman said: "It is our policy not to discuss contracts."

(Taken From http://www.sundaymirror.co.uk/news/sunday/2008/04/27/len-goodman-demands-strictly-pay-rise-98487-20396001/)

 

Showbiz legend Bruce Forsyth has ditched plans to retire and has told The People: "I'll keep going on forever." The Strictly Come Dancing host, who reached 80 earlier this year, has done a nimble reverse turn and will now present the BBC1 show as long as they need him. But golf fanatic Bruce is also determined to get his handicap down before recording the next series - so he can thrash showbiz chums less than half his age.

In an exclusive interview with The People, the veteran entertainer said: "I am NOT retiring, I will keep going as long as I can. For me, Strictly Come Dancing is my ideal job. I love the show, I love the contestants and I love working with my co-presenter Tess Daly. We are like a family there so I won't just be going back for the next series, but the one after that, and the one after that until they tell me not to any more. It means such a lot to me that people don't want me to retire so I'm not going to."

Bruce, married to third wife Wilnelia Merced, 48, plays golf three times a week near his mansion in Surrey. His younger showbiz rivals at the course include Vernon Kay, 33. Bruce said: "I love playing golf. I play as often as I can but it's not enough for me. I am desperately trying to get my handicap down but it's proving quite difficult. It is 12 at the moment but it used to be so much better before I started doing Strictly Come Dancing.

"But now I've got a bit of time off I am working my hardest to make sure I can beat the youngsters. I've got a few months until I have to go back to Strictly so I am making the most of my time off because once the show starts I am back to working really hard. I get annoyed if I can't get out for a game - it keeps me relaxed and fit although it can be stressful if I have a bad round."

Bruce, whose showbiz career has spanned more than six decades, will be knighted in the Queen's June birthday honours - as The People revealed two months ago. Originally the star who fronted the Generation Game was considered for the top accolade in the New Year list. But officials thought it would be more fitting once he had turned 80 in February. The honour will be the icing on the cake for great - grandfather and dad-of-six Bruce who last week picked up another top gong.

The north London-born star received the prestigious BAFTA's Academy Fellowship award to recognise his amazing work. As he took to the stage at the London Palladium - where he made his name in the 50s as host of Sunday Night At The London Palladium - he was choked with emotion. Now Brucie plans to mark his 80th year by making a TV documentary about his life.

He said: "I am thinking hard about it, lots of people have asked me to make a documentary and I think it will be a nice thing to do. But I like playing golf too much to worry about it. I love the show, I love the contestants, I love Tess ..I'll go on until they tell me not to"

(Taken From http://www.people.co.uk/news/tm_headline=strictly-come-dance-swing&method=full&objectid=20396110&siteid=93463-name_page.html)

 

 

Former Snooker champion Shaun Murphy has expressed a wish to be on Strictly Come Dancing, after being in the audience last year supporting his friend Willie Thorne.

 

He says "I went to Strictly Come Dancing as a guest of Willie Thorne and it changed my life," deadpanned Murphy. "I would love to have a go some day. It was a brilliant experience and I thought I had to have some of those trousers and Jason Cutler, who does the costumes, said he could do so for me. I'm sure I'd need a lot of lessons but I've done some Ceroc dancing before, my wife and I did a bit of it for the first dance at our wedding."

 

(Taken From http://www.sportinglife.com/snooker/news/story_get.cgi?STORY_NAME=snooker/08/04/23/SNOOKER_World_Nightlead.html)

 

S.O.S to Strictly Come Dancing bosses - Camilla Dallerup wants a hunky young bloke for the next series. The gorgeous dancer tells she is looking for love at the moment - and she's got her fingers crossed that the Beeb might be able to find her a nice man to get close to... on and off the dance floor.

Camilla said: "We won't know who our partners are for a while, but I hope they can find me someone nice and handsome. I am single at the moment so it would be lovely to find a cute guy."

 

Kelly Brook has reportedly called off her engagement to Billy Zane. According to The Sun, the couple went their separate ways after she decided she was too young to marry.

The Strictly Come Dancing star, 28, sparked rumours of a split when she attended Sunday's BAFTA Television Awards without her engagement ring. A source said: "After much soul-searching, Kelly decided that Billy is not the man she wants to marry and has called off the engagement. The split is completely amicable and the decision was made after long conversations here and in the US. They remain good friends."

The couple, who dated for four years, are believed to have ended their romance after Brook repeatedly refused to set a date for their wedding. The insider said: "Billy was keen but she kept delaying plans for the big day. He started asking questions - and they eventually decided to go their separate ways." Zane, 42, has now left their Kent farmhouse and is moving back to LA for good.

 

(Taken From http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/showbiz/a94434/kelly-brook-splits-with-billy-zane.html)

 

 

British model/actress Kelly Brook has hinted she will appear in the next series of U.S. TV show Dancing With The Stars.

The 28-year-old star was tipped to win the U.K. version of the show, Strictly Come Dancing, last year but was forced to pull out following the death of her father.
But Brook admits she is keen to step back on the dancefloor. She says, "I would still love to win one day!"

 

 

Alesha Dixon has confirmed that Lily Allen wants to be a contestant on Strictly Come Dancing. The former Mysteeq star, who won the BBC dance contest last year, said Allen was keen to take part in the next series.

WENN quotes her as saying: "Lily told me that she wanted to do it. I don't know whether she has been advised not to, but she would be fantastic." It was previously rumoured that the producers of Lily Allen And Friends had attempted to persuade the singer to send an audition tape into the show.

 

(Taken From http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/strictlycomedancing/a94337/lily-allen-wants-to-star-on-strictly.html)

 

 

Bruce Forsyth has refused to confirm whether he'll be hosting Strictly Come Dancing after this year. The presenter claimed that every year journalists wrote about it being his last series, but admitted he was not looking beyond 2008 at the moment.

"They were saying that I wasn’t going to do any more Strictly Come Dancing the first year I did it," he commented. "Then they said it would be my last year the second year. Each year they try and put words in my mouth, but I’m not saying them. All I’m saying is that I'm doing Strictly Come Dancing this year."

When asked where the rumours that he was quitting originated, Forsyth joked: "I started that rumour. I always start my own rumours and then you know where they’ve come from."

 

TV legend Bruce Forsyth revealed yesterday that he HATES TV reality shows - despite fronting one that has saved his career. The Strictly Come Dancing presenter, 80, said: "I like The Apprentice - otherwise I've had it with reality shows. I can't abide Big Brother. How could I be interested in someone just walking across the screen? My favourite shows are on the History and Biography channels."

But the star of classic shows like The Generation Game admitted: "If Strictly hadn't come along I'd probably have faded into the sunset, never to be heard of again. If I had written a script about my life, it would have been rejected as too fantastic to be believable. But it's all true. Every day I pinch myself to make sure I'm not dreaming."

(Taken From http://www.people.co.uk/news/tm_headline=strictly-star-brucie-raps-reality-telly&method=full&objectid=20388461&siteid=93463-name_page.html)

 

 

Bruce Forsyth will receive an Academy Fellowship at Sunday's BAFTA Television Awards. The entertainer will be given the prestigious award by Paul Merton to honour his "outstanding body of work".

The 80-year-old started his showbiz career at the age of 14 and is still going strong as host of BBC favourite Strictly Come Dancing. TV committee chairman John Willis said: "He has been keeping viewers of all ages entertained for decades. He is the ultimate all-round entertainer.

 

"Just after his 80th birthday is the perfect time for BAFTA to recognise his huge contribution to popular television by awarding Bruce a very well-deserved Fellowship." Sir Anthony Hopkins, Ken Loach, Anne Coates and Richard Curtis are among previous recipients of the prize which is considered the Academy's greatest accolade.

The ceremony will be broadcast on Sunday at 8pm on BBC One.

 

 

Netballer Tempara George and her professional dance partner Stefano Olivieri has won series four of the New Zealand version of Dancing With The Stars. Stefano has regained his title after winning series three last year with Suzanne Paul, making Stefano the first pro dancer in New Zealand to be a back-to-back Dancing With The Stars champion.

The couple were the judges' favourites to win the competition and they beat runners-up former rugby player and boxer Monty Betham and his professional dance partner Nerida Jantti. Strictly Come Dancing regulars Brendan Cole and Craig Revel Horwood were among the New Zealand judging panel, alongside Paul Mercurio and Alison Leonard.

 

It seems Letitia Dean will be dusting off her dancing shoes on to take on a role in High School Musical. The ex-EastEnders actress, who took part in Strictly Come Dancing, will play eccentric drama teacher Mrs Arbus when the show takes up residence at the Hammersmith Apollo this summer.

 

TV veteran Bruce Forsyth is considering making the next series of Strictly Come Dancing his last. The gruelling show schedule is taking its toll on the 80-year-old star—and insiders say he wants to quit while it’s still top of the ratings. BBC bosses are already hunting his replacement with Graham Norton, Channel 4 hunk Steve Jones and GMTV’s Ben Shephard and Andrew Castle in the running.

A senior TV insider said: “Bruce is likely to bow out after this winter’s series. He works over 14 hours on a Saturday with rehearsals and live telly. Even for a man in such great shape as him, this is starting to take its toll and affect his view of working there.”

But sources say Bruce, who will get a fellowship at this month’s Baftas, is not retiring yet and may host a series of one-off variety specials next year.

(Taken From http://www.newsoftheworld.co.uk/1304_brucie.shtml)

 

Royal party pal Guy Pelly is in talks with BBC bosses about competing on Strictly Come Dancing. And Guy - a close friend of princes William and Harry - has told pals he is keen to sign up for the hit show when it returns in the autumn.

A BBC source said: "No one thought it would be possible to beat last year's line up of bona fide A-list stars like Kelly Brook and Penny Lancaster. But having a member of the royal inner circle on the bill for 2008 would be huge trump card. Guy would be a guaranteed ratings winner, especially if the princes make an appearance to support their pal."

In 2005, 25-year-old Guy - a marketing manager at royal haunt Mahiki - pulled out of I'm a Celebrity amid fears he could spill royal secrets. The source added: "Strictly won't depend on him talking about Wills and Harry. He can just let his feet do the talking."

(Taken From http://www.sundaymirror.co.uk/news/sunday/2008/04/13/royal-pal-guy-pelly-to-be-in-strictly-come-dancing-98487-20381644/)

 

 

Gethin Jones has revealed he will star in an episode of Doctor Who. The 30-year-old announced he will quit Blue Peter in June but has already lined up acting work on the cult BBC sci-fi show. "The episode is number 13 or 14. It was a good day of filming and I have already done it. I love the show and I think producer Russell T Davies is a legend," Jones told The Sun.

"I'm not going to be an actor. I have been presenting for six-and-a-half years and I love it and I challenge myself every day to improve. Presenting is what I do and I would rather be asking the questions rather than answering them. I would like to carry on presenting."

The Welshman has previously guest-starred on Doctor Who as a Cyberman. He finished third in the most recent series of Strictly Come Dancing.

 

(Taken From http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/cult/a93570/gethin-jones-stars-in-doctor-who.html)

 

 

 

Kate Garraway has accepted "substantial" libel damages from two Mirror titles following false allegations about her relationship with Anton Du Beke. The Daily Mirror and Sunday Mirror had claimed that the GMTV presenter was cheating on her husband with Du Beke, her partner on last year's Strictly Come Dancing.

Garraway took legal action in the High Court against publisher MGN in February, saying that she had been "extremely hurt" by the stories. The newspaper group also agreed to pay legal costs and apologised for the allegations, which it accepted were untrue and promised not to repeat. The 39-year-old has daughter Darcey, 2, with psychotherapist husband Derek Draper.

 

(Taken From http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/strictlycomedancing/a93491/garraway-wins-damages-over-du-beke-claims.html)

 

Gethin Jones is leaving Blue Peter at the end of the current series, after 3 years as a host. 'Gethin has been a brilliant Blue Peter presenter,' show editor Tim Levell says. 'He really is the total action man. And he helped raise Blue Peter's profile last year with his starring run on Strictly Come Dancing. We wish him all the best.'

Gethin, 30, is dating Welsh opera star Katherine Jenkins, who he met on the show. He's leaving to concentrate on other TV projects.

 

(Taken From http://www.nowmagazine.co.uk/celeb_news/Gethin_Jones_quits_Blue_Peter_after_3_years_article_226588.html)

 

 

You’re currently judging the US version of Strictly Come Dancing – Dancing With The Stars. Who are better dancers, Americans or us Brits?

Bruno Tonioli: Everyone is different. You can’t compare. There’s good and bad everywhere, no matter what country.

Len Goodman: Take last series – Alesha Dixon was fantastic, and in the States so was Mel B. But then some people are awful.

Do you have trouble knowing who some of the American celebs are?

LG: We know some of them. Monica Seles is a tennis legend.

BT: And Priscilla Presley, of course. But, to be honest, sometimes we don’t even know who the people are over here in Britain. Len and I don’t watch soaps.

LG: I had no idea who Matt Di Angelo was. Or Gethin Jones. I’m not a big Blue Peter fan.

Do the UK judges all get on?

LG: Of course. And when we fly back and forth to the States, it’s Bruno who keeps me going.

BT: Len is the only person who understands, as we both have to do this crazy transatlantic commute. And he is a generous performer. He understands the dynamics of being tired and not having a script.

How old were you when you realised you had a flare for dancing?

BT: Two. No, I was dancing in the womb, my dear.

Is there any other career you’d have liked to have done?

BT: Well, I’ve done everything. I’ve sung, done records, plays… It just so happened my first professional job was as a dancer. I’ve done the whole shebang, darling. But dancing was my first professional engagement in 1974. I got paid for it, so that was it, my vocation. But my parents weren’t keen. They wanted me to be an accountant in Italy. Or a lawyer. They were furious. I had to run away. I had to leave the country.

What were your school reports like?

LG: Terrible. I was academically inept. I once got one out of 100 for an English test. And they gave me the one because I spelled my name right. I think I was a bit dyslexic, even though they hadn’t invented it back then. I used to get my Bs and Ds round the wrong way, and my Ss back to front.

BT: I was good. A rebel, but I did well in my studies. I liked reading and I still love learning. I don’t close myself to anything. I think school is so important. I loved history and German.

LG: So we’re opposites.

Are you romantic?

LG: I haven’t got time.

BT: (laughing) I’m not romantic at all. I’m a moaner. Len and I should be on Grumpy Old Men. We’re terrible.

But you must have done something romantic for your other halves?

LG: I can’t remember. I wiped up after she did the washing-up the other day. Is that romantic?

BT: That’s practical.

LG: Perhaps I am a romantic, but I can’t think of anything specific.

BT: I hate all that faffing about with letters. Do you write romantic letters, Len?

LG: Oh, yes. I like writing. I don’t like email, though.

BT: There, he’s romantic. I caught him out for you.

You look great for your age – what’s your secret?

BT: Thank you. My secret? A miracle. Considering what we go through, travelling around all the time. I exercise when I can and I’m very particular about my food. I don’t diet, but I always eat salads and healthy stuff.

LG: He’s proof, you are what you eat.

Would you ever succumb to the surgeon’s knife?

BT: Yeah. Why not? Obviously I’m not going to have a Joan Rivers face-lift, but if it comes to it, never say never.

LG: Yes. I’m thinking of having breast implants. I’d love big boobs and I’d sit in the bath and fondle myself.

BT: Think about all the money you could make…

Er, OK. How long does it take you to get ready in the morning?

BT: About an hour. Not because I’m getting ready, I just like to take my time, have a cup of tea and read the paper. I don’t like starting the day in a panic.

Who were your teenage pin-ups?

BT: I wish I had a crush. I never was one of those kids who fell in love with an actor – how am I going to fancy someone I don’t know?

LG: But you can dream and hope and wish. I always fancied Rin Tin Tin.

BT: The dog? You’re weird.

LG: You fancied Lassie, didn’t you?

BT: I was working when I was a kid. Always bloody working, so there wasn’t much time to fantasise.

What are your vices?

BT: I smoke sometimes. If Len and I are under pressure and feeling it, we smoke.

LG: Just one. A cigar. A very long cigar. But we’re going to stop while we’re in America. We’ve got 13 weeks over there, so we’ll quit and become as fit as fiddles. And take up fitness regimes too. Then we’ll have no vices whatsoever.

How would you rate your looks on a scale of 1-10?

BT: Actually, I don’t like myself. I’m not vain at all. I hate looking at myself – I always think I look ugly. Honest.

LG: Women put make-up on, so they tend to study their faces more in the mirror. If you look hard enough at anything, you’ll find flaws. Us men, we just have to shave, and you can almost do that blindfolded, so I stay well away from the mirror. I’m convinced I still have the face of a 20-year-old.

BT: Len is a handsome man. He really is. Me? If Brad Pitt is a 10, I am a five.

LG: I’d go higher for you, Bruno. If I was judging you on Strictly Come Faces, I’d give you at least an eight.

BT: Oh, thank you.

LG: I’ll tell you why. You’re fit, you’re not flabby, you’ve got all of your hair, you’ve got good features – you haven’t got a huge nose or big eye bags – and your ears don’t stick out. Your problems are more emotional, Bruno.

What or who is the most precious thing in your life?

BT: My health.

LG: I’ve got no interest in my health. The most important thing to me is happiness. You can be a multi-millionaire and miserable. It’s not wealth or health, it’s happiness.

BT: We sound like a pair of philosophers.

Who makes you happy?

BT: Not who, what. A good show makes me happy. It’s a great sensation. If you could capture a great atmosphere and do it every time, that would be amazing.

LG: When everyone laughs at your jokes, it’s a great kick.

What was the last lie you told?

BT: Today I pretended I was happy to be filming when really I wanted to be out in the garden. Little white lies are OK.

LG: It’s when you’re expected to put on a turn. Sometimes you’d rather be elsewhere, but because you’re promoting the show you’ve got to sound enthusiastic.

When were you last drunk?

BT: You got pissed in LA, didn’t you, Len? You got lost after some cocktails…

LG: On my way home. I found the way eventually, but I’d definitely overdone it. The thing is, I love Martinis, but they are a like women’s breasts. One is not enough and three are too many. If I knock back more than two Martinis I’m done for.

See Dancing With The Stars on UKTV Gold, Fridays at 8pm

LEN & BRUNO’S REALITY CHECK

Fake tan or real tan?

LG: Real tan. Never tried a fake one.

BT: Real tan.

Have you ever said ‘Do you know who I am?’

BT: No, that’s tacky.

LG: I’m glad they don’t know who I am most of the time.

What was the last domesticated thing you did?

LG: I made myself a coffee this morning.

BT: I cooked a meal last night. I don’t do housework.

LG: When we are in LA we live in the same block, so Bruno does the cooking and I iron his shirts.

(Taken From http://www.sundaymirror.co.uk/showbiz/celebsonsunday/2008/04/06/interrogation-strictly-s-len-and-bruno-98487-20370614/)