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June 29 DanceX - Audition GossipBruno's luggage got separated from him en route to the Glasgow auditions. He had to do a last-minute dash to the shops which saw him buying new underwear and socks from a well-known, no-frills fashion outlet The London auditions saw traffic at a standstill outside BBC Television Centre as 1,000 Lycra-clad people queued down the street The auditions featured a huge variety of dance styles. They included the highland fling, male cheerleaders, a bollywood troupe, tap, jazz, breaks, ballet, hip hop, street, capoeira, rave, burlesque, go-go, Latin, ballroom and body-popping Arlene's home town of Manchester saw the auditions turn into a washout with torrential rain throughout the day. The crew had to move the entire stage to a nearby nightclub and back out again four times! The auditions produced some characters that stood out from the crowd for all the wrong reasons. They included: Frank the raver (71), from Brighton. Frank goes clubbing every weekend and did the "big fish, little fish" dance to Relight My Fire, by Take That A man in a full robot outfit caused a backlog in the queue when he had to take it off for the metal detectors in BBC Television Centre Nick Wade, a raver in his mid-40s, gave his all as he danced to the Prodigy in his audition A dancing lollipop lady made Bruno blush with some pole dancing moves around her lollipop that definitely weren't suitable for school children (Taken from BBC DanceX Press Pack - http://www.bbc.co.uk/pressoffice/pressreleases/stories/2007/06_june/29/dancex_stats.shtml). DanceX - Press PackTwo giants in the world of choreography come face to face across the dance floor in the biggest clash of dance titans British TV has ever seen. Spurred on by host Ben Shephard, top choreographers Arlene Phillips and Bruno Tonioli strut back on to our screens and go head-to-head as they search for a sensational new dancing and singing group in DanceX. On Team Arlene are Ashley Wallen (choreographer) and Joshua Alamu (vocal coach). Arlene on Bruno: Arlene says Bruno hasn't changed at all from the overeager student she first met in 1976. From the moment inquisitive Bruno first walked into her dance class, and proceeded to ask incessant questions, it was immediately apparent what a chatterbox he was. "He started talking then, and he hasn't stopped since!" Arlene on winning the show: Arlene realises her hard-earned reputation rests on the outcome. "The sleepless nights have begun," she admits. "Of course I want to win. I've always been very competitive and I probably want it more than Bruno." On Team Bruno are Derek Hough (choreographer) and Cece Sammy (vocal coach). Bruno on Arlene: Bruno and Arlene became instant friends when Bruno was attracted by her "straightforward, driven and matter of fact" manner. Since then they've remained close, both professionally and socially. Bruno says: "We have totally contrasting personalities and very different views on how to achieve our goals. I see people's strengths and work to them, whereas Arlene knows exactly what she wants and tries to mould people into that. We both want the best but have different views on how to get there." Bruno on winning the show: At this stage, Bruno is reluctant to give away any of his game plan for beating Arlene, in case she tries to prepare a counteroffensive. So, for now, his strategy for victory is strictly under wraps. However, he does expect fireworks on the dance floor. "Already we have had a few arguments because we have wanted to put different people through," he says. "When we argue, the pitch of her voice gets higher and higher until only dogs can hear her! We both have very strong ideas of what we’re looking for but, once the decision is made, we put it behind us and get on with the next task." Ben Shepherd (The Host) Ben got his first TV break in 1998, and his presenting career has gone from strength to strength. Since he started, Ben has fronted a wide range of programmes and currently has a regular seat on the GMTV sofa, along with co-presenting showbiz spin-off Entertainment Today. "It's fantastic," he says. "I'm so excited to be doing a totally new show. If anyone had asked me a few years ago what my goal was, I wouldn't have dared say to front a prime-time show for the BBC, as I never thought it would happen. It's as good as it gets." On Arlene and Bruno: Far from taking sides, Ben's looking forward to upping the tension on DanceX. "I'll be stirring it up!" he says. "They're so different it'll be like I'm the ringmaster. Bruno is all passion and panache. During the auditions he couldn't stop himself dancing. Arlene's more focused. She knows exactly what she’s looking for and doesn't waste any time in saying so. She can be brutal, but is always honest!" (Taken from the DanceX BBC Press Pack - http://www.bbc.co.uk/pressoffice/pressreleases/stories/2007/06_june/29/dancex.shtml) June 28 Arlene - One Hot GossipArlene Phillips has said there will never be another dance group like Hot Gossip, depite launching an X Factor-like search for the next generation of dancers. BBC One's DanceX will see choreographer Arlene team up with fellow Strictly Come Dancing judge Bruno Tonioli next month in the search for a new singing dance group. But Arlene, who founded hit 70s dance troupe Hot Gossip, said: "There can never be anything like [it] again, it was revolutionary at the time and there's never really been a group like it since." The 62-year-old added that DanceX, which will see the weaker dancers picked off in an X Factor style show, aims to give dancers "recognition". "My aim is to give dancers a face, you know dancers are the faceless ones they're the backing dancers, they're the people that are seen and they're never known," she said. Auditions for the show took place in cities around the country throughout May. "We did see some extraordinary people as we went around the country. There were some exciting dancers, some really exciting people," Arlene said. "We're hoping that they can sing and be phenomenal dancers, so we're asking rather a lot and who knows if we're gonna get it." DanceX, hosted by former Xtra Factor presenter Ben Shephard, is due to start on BBC One on Saturday July 14, and will continue every Saturday night for seven weeks. (Taken from http://www.metro.co.uk/fame/article.html?in_article_id=54846&in_page_id=7&in_a_source=). Austria Have Chosen Their Dancers For EDCAnother country has decided about their representatives in the first Eurovision Dance Contest to be held in London on 1st September: The married couple Kelly and Andy Kainz will dance for Austria. Both have experience in televised dance competitions since Andy already won Dancing Star, the Austrian edition of Strictly come dancing once and Kelly even did so twice.
The couple holds a remarkable record in Dancing Stars since in every season, one them won the competition as a professional dancer. Kelly Kainz won the most reason edition of the show with Klaus Eberharter; at the end of the page you can watch them performing the Jive. Her first victory she achieved with the 2002 Eurovision Song Contest entrant Manuel Ortega, who finished 18th in Tallinn with Say a word. Andy Kainz told about their participation: "For us, it's a great thing to follow after our successes at Dancing Stars. To be chosen by broadcaster ORF is of course a huge honour to us." Kelly said: "I am especially happy since I was born in England and now I get the chance to represent Austria in my home country". The preparations for London are already underway according to Kelly Kainz: "We chose the music together with Thomas Rabitsch. The next step we have to take is choosing the outfits which should be ready in July. Currently, we are already developping the choreography and the first parts of the program will be realised over the next few weeks. [...] The actual training will be finished by the end of August so that everything is ready for London." Kelly and Andy Kain will perform their two choreographies for the first time on 30th July (this Saturday) in the German music show Das große Sommerfest der Volksmusik. In the same show, the German representatives for London will be chosen. (Taken from the Eurovision Song Contest Website). Finland To Select Dancers For EDC In AugustFinnish broadcaster YLE has announced details concerning their selection for the first Eurovision Dance Contest on 1st September: A national final will take place on 25th August with eight couples competing in a show similar to Tanssii tähtien kanssa, the Finnish edition of Strictly come dancing.
YLE will leave it late to select their entrants for the contest since the actual Eurovision Dance Contest will take place only one week later. In the Eurovision Song Contest, by contrast, the songs have to be submitted already two months before the final. The eight competing couples - chosen by the Finnish Dancing Union - will be announced on 5th July as well as the jury. Not like in Strictly come dancing, the jury itself will comment on the choreography, the performance and the costumes but they won't give out any points. The winning couple will be decided by telephone and SMS voting only. (Taken From Eurovision Song Contest Website). Graham Norton And Claudia Winkleman Present Eurovision Dance ContestGraham Steps Up To Challenge
THE BBC is to host the first Eurovision DANCE Contest — with Graham Norton and Claudia Winkleman as presenters.
Dancers from 16 nations will compete in a live show following the Eurovision Song Contest format — including scoreboard, viewer votes and foreign hosts. Claudia told TV Biz: “I’m so excited I actually feel sick. The dancing promises to be fantastic. I’m secretly hoping for clogs.” Strictly Come Dancing judges Bruno Tonioli and Len Goodman will be commentators for September’s show. BBC1 boss Peter Fincham said: “It’ll be an evening full of stars and sequins, glitz and glamour.”Graham Steps Up To Challenge. (Taken from http://www.thesun.co.uk/article/0,,2001320029-2007280834,00.html) Louis Walsh Was Offered Come DancingLOUIS Walsh agreed to return to the X Factor after turning down a judging role on Strictly Come Dancing.
The TV favourite was stunned to get a phone call from X Factor producers after new judge Brian Friedman said he felt uncomfortable in the job. Louis revealed Simon Cowell had asked him to return at the recording of his This Is Your Life. He said: “Then the producer called me and next we’re getting a private jet up to the auditions.” But Louis also told how he was inundated with other offers — including Strictly Come Dancing.
Simon said: “We couldn’t let Louis go to the BBC.”LOUIS Walsh agreed to return to the X Factor after turning down a judging role on Strictly Come Dancing.
The TV favourite was stunned to get a phone call from X Factor producers after new judge Brian Friedman said he felt uncomfortable in the job. Louis revealed Simon Cowell had asked him to return at the recording of his This Is Your Life. He said: “Then the producer called me and next we’re getting a private jet up to the auditions.” (Taken from http://www.thesun.co.uk/article/0,,2001320029-2007281043,00.html).
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