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July 10 X Marks The Spot For Arlene - Mini Newspaper InterviewDANCE hopefuls get their chance to become a star in the BBC’s latest talent show, DanceX, and who better to help them on their way than Strictly Come Dancing judge and Hot Gossip founder Arlene Phillips.
As always, she knows exactly what she’s looking for. “Hopefully they are fabulous dancers, they can sing and they look stunning,” she laughed. “So we’re not asking for much.” Auditions for the show have already been held and will be shown on the first episode, this Saturday night. “We’ve been all around the country and the standard is very mixed – from the delusional to the extraordinary and the fabulous, all mixed up with a whole load of rubbish,” revealed Arlene. “There were a lot of ‘thank you and goodbyes’ and you get rid of a lot, because what you’re searching for is that little pearl.” The thousand of hopefuls have been whittled down to 16, who will be split into two groups to be mentored by Arlene and fellow Strictly judge Bruno Tonioli. Each week they will face a different challenge and the public will vote for their favourite group. The mentor for the losing team will then have to decide which of the dancers is eliminated. As Strictly Come Dancing fans will know, Arlene is not one for mincing her words and she tells us her comments led to a clash with one devoted mum at the auditions. “I had a bad reaction from one mother who just wouldn’t stop – and I lost it!” she recalled. “She started screaming at me and I said ‘Look, I know what I’m talking about!’ Then I made one of the dancers, who was exceptional, demonstrate their dance and I said ‘Now that’s what I’m looking for.’ That ended it.” Arlene, who has been dancing from the age of three, is one of the most successful choreographers in the country and has worked on numerous films, including Monty Python’s Meaning of Life and It Couldn’t Happen Here with the Pet Shop Boys. She was also behind the stage musical Saturday Night Fever as well as videos for Elton John, Diana Ross, Tina Turner and Robbie Williams and over a hundred commercials. “For me Elton John and Freddie Mercury are the two most inspiring people I’ve worked with,” Arlene said. “They are so committed. I respect people that work hard. There’s a lot of stars that I’ve worked with when I’ve done videos and some of them don’t have the natural ability to dance but the effort they’ve put into it to make things work has been incredible.” Hard work was instilled into Arlene during her own dance training and harsh words were the order of the day. “When I was dancing that’s the way everyone was taught,” she reveals. “Nobody had a nice word to say about anyone. You were stuck on the back row and you only crept forward gradually, if everything was perfect. My life was one of constant criticism and there was no awareness of anybody being politically correct. You told people exactly what you thought of them and that’s the way it was.” It’s a style that Arlene has adopted for her stints on Strictly Come Dancing, but will she be kinder to the wannabe dancers on DanceX. “I think I’m firm rather than harsh – firm and honest,” she said. “I’ve always been direct. It’s just my style. As for DanceX - I’m not going soft on anybody.” DanceX begins on Saturday 14 July on BBC1 (Taken from http://www.thesun.co.uk/article/0,,2001320029-2007310766,00.html). July 09 Strictly Nominated For National Television Awards 2007Strictly Come Dancing has been nominated for an award in the Most Popular Talent Show category. Also, Bruce Forsyth and Tess Daly are nominated in the Most Popular Entertainment Presenter category.
To vote for the show to win an National Television Award, please click here: http://www.nationaltvawards.com/ July 08 Brendan Cole Dances With Rod Stewart's MissusRod Stewart's new wife, Penny Lancaster, danced the night away with Strictly Come Dancing lothario Brendan Cole. Penny was the celebrity guest at the Duke of Essex Polo Trophy, an annual international polo match between England and Argentina. She won the chance to dance with bad-boy Brendan in a raffle held after the match and danced in her bare-feet, cheered on by a large crowd lining the dancefloor.
Some of their moves!
 (Taken from: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/pages/live/articles/showbiz/showbiznews.html?in_article_id=467025&in_page_id=1773&ct=5)
Kelly Brook Set To Appear On Strictly?According to a British Newspaper, Kelly Brook is in final negotiations with BBC bosses to appear on this year's Strictly Come Dancing.
A TV insider has commented: 'Kelly is about to sign on the dotted line to be in the show. She's perfect for the part and incredibly fit. She loves dance and trained at the Italia Conti Academy of Theatre Arts in London so she's a natural. She did minor cabaret appearances before she started working as a presenter.'
Kelly Brook is a TV presenter-turned-actress who is engaged to Titanic star Billy Zane.
July 06 Bruno Is The X Man - Mini Newspaper InterviewSTRICTLY COME DANCING judges Bruno Tonioli and Arlene Phillips ditch the foxtrot for the body pop with their latest show Dance X. And the sparks are bound to fly as the fiery choreographers go head to head to find the dance talents of the future. “This is nothing like Strictly Come Dancing,” explains Bruno. “This is young and sexy. Strictly is all about ballroom dancing, but Dance X is about creating a whole new group of dancers who can also sing.”
Each show will see the groups facing a different challenge and tackling a new style of dance. Viewers will then vote for their favourite group, with the judge who mentors the losers choosing which of his dancers packs up his legwarmers and goes home. “We are really looking for the rough diamonds who are ready to be polished and made into this great group,” explains Bruno. “In the Seventies you had Pan’s People, Legs and Co and Hot Gossip but we haven’t had a popular dance based act for 30 years. It’s a shame because there are so many talented dancers who could do it. Arlene and I are sticking our necks out, with the audience, to bring them together to do that.” The Italian-born judge says he is delighted to be offering youngsters a chance to make their dreams come true and he reveals that his own success as a young dancer brought heartbreak to his family. “My parents didn’t want me to dance so I had to run away when I got my first job at 18,” he tells Sun online. “It was with a French touring company so I packed my bag and went to Paris and I never went back. My mother was devastated, bless her, but I had no choice. I had to do everything without telling them. I used to sneak out to do singing lessons, dancing lessons and I spent my own money on them. But when you want something so much your life depends on it, you just do it. I only have one life and it’s got to be done my way.” Bruno spent many years as a dancer before embarking on a hugely successful career as a choreographer, working on pop videos for the likes of Paul McCartney and Queen and films, such as Ella Enchanted and Enigma. And his success meant a reconciliation with his parents. "My mother turned around eventually but it took a while,” he says. “Fortunately both my parents saw my career going very well before they died and all the worry evaporated – but it took a good ten years.” The flamboyant star has choreographed the movement of megastars including Freddie Mercury, Elton John and Mick Jagger, but he reveals that Tina Turner was one of his favourite. “Tina Turner is the best natural dancer I’ve ever worked with,” he says. “She’s not a trained dancer but what she does is just perfect for her. I have worked with loads of great dancers but as a natural, it comes out of her heart and soul and anything that she produces is incredible.” There is one megastar, however, who Bruno would prefer to forget. “Working with Michael Jackson was bizarre to say the least,” he laughs. “We used to stage everything around him and then he would turn up three minutes before he was due to do his song and leave immediately after it. I try to erase it from my memory!” Dance X begins on Saturday July 14 on BBC1 (Taken From http://www.thesun.co.uk/article/0,,2001320029-2007310267,00.html) Arlene Eyes DanceX ClashStrictly Come Dancing judge Arlene Phillips has promised a few fireworks between herself and her fellow judge Bruno Tonioli when their new show DanceX kicks off next week. She says,'Trust me, we will be clashing,...There's some incredible talent and we will be fighting over them.'
Let the battle commence!
US Dancing With The Stars Set To Air On UK ScreensThe US Version of Dancing With The Stars is due to air in the UK next week. According to the Radio Times website an episode of DWTS will be screened on Sunday 15th July between 4.15pm-5.30pm on BBC1. US Dancing With The Stars/Judge Bruno Nominated For Teen Choice AwardsThe US hit show Dancing With The Stars has been nominated in the Reality/Variety Show category. The show faces competition from American Idol, America's Next Top Model, The Pussycat Dolls Present: The Search For The Next Doll and The Hills.
The winner of this season's Dancing With The Stars Apolo Anton Ohno is also nominated for an award in the Choice TV: Breakout category. His rivals for the gong is Flavor Flav - Flavor Of Love, Jojo, Diggy and Russy (Run's Sons) - Run's House, Sanjaya - American Idol and Three 6 Mafia - Adventures Of Hollyhood.
And finally Strictly's very own Bruno Tonioli has been nominated in the Choice TV: Personality category. The competition is from Nick Cannon - Wild 'N Out, Ryan Seacrest - American Idol, E!, Simon Cowell - American Idol and Tyra Banks - America's Next Top Model.
The results will be announced on 26th August. July 05 Vote For Strictly In TV Choice AwardsStrictly Come Dancing has been nominated for the Best Talent Show category in the TV Quick and TV Choice Awards 2007! Also series Two Strictly winner Jill Halfpenny has been nominated for the Best Actress category. The public can vote who wins each category.
To vote click here: http://www.tvchoiceawards.co.uk/
Please Note: Voting closes at midnight on 13th July 2007 New Book: Anton's Dance ClassIn his first book, Anton Du Beke shares his passion for ballroom dancing. Far more than just the basic steps, it is about the feeling of getting movements perfect, of building a relationship with your partner, of creating an emotional connection with the dances and of beautiful costumes too. For each of the 5 ballroom dances - from the waltz to the foxtrot - and of the 5 latin dances - from the jive to the cha cha - Anton Du Beke describes its origins and story, how to approach it and some tips and techniques, as well as showing the movements in intricate detail. 'Every woman in the world should have half an hour with Anton Du Beke' (Lesley Garrett). Now you can too. This title comes with a foreword by Len Goodman.
Amazon states that the book will be published on 27th September and you can pre-order this book and any other Strictly merchandise by clicking on the item in the Book List (located on the left hand side of this webpage).
July 04 The Last Dance For Strictly's Brendan Cole and Camilla Dallerup
For the first time since their split three years ago, Camilla Dallerup and Brendan Cole will dance together one last time as the UK entrants for the first ever Eurovision Dance Contest in September on BBC One. Despite living and dancing together for over nine years, tensions during the first season of BBC's Strictly Come Dancing caused the pair to separate both on the dance floor and as partners. Invited to represent the nation in the new Eurovision Dance Contest, Brendan and Camilla will have to sweep aside their angst and hot-step around a ballroom for their last dance. Prepare to see a sensational performance with passion, zeal and real life tension as the couple let the sequins fly. Eurovision Dance Contest is in its first year with 16 countries taking part; Austria, Denmark, Finland, Germany, Greece, Ireland, Lithuania, Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Russia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Ukraine and UK. The show will be performed at the BBC Television Centre and aired on BBC One, hosted by Graham Norton and Claudia Winkleman with expert commentary from Bruno Tonioli and Len Goodman, the viewing public will be asked to vote for their favourite dancing couple. (Taken from a BBC Eurovision Dance Contest Press Release: http://www.bbc.co.uk/pressoffice/pressreleases/stories/2007/07_july/04/dance.shtml) July 02 Aussie Dancer Natalie Lowe To Star In UK Strictly?Series 5 winner and professional dancer in Australia's Dancing With The Stars shows has confirmed that she is in talks with producers about an appearance on the UK Strictly Come Dancing Show. Natalie Lowe is a 26 year old Ballroom champion, who has been paired with Ian Roberts, Tim Campbell and Anthony Koutoufides who she won series 5 with.
She says about appearing on the UK show: "It may be this year, it may be next" and she adds "It's not definite."
Bruno: Posh and Geri Can't SingStrictly Come Dancing judge Bruno Tonioli has slated Spice Girls Victoria Beckham and Geri Halliwell's vocal talent. He says:
“Mel B, Mel C and Emma can sing – but the others? I’m not so sure.”
He adds: “They were a phenomenon so, sure, I’ll go to their concert – but I’m not paying.”
Let's hope he gets free tickets from Strictly alumni Emma Bunton then!
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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