THEGAYUK

Tag: Strictly Come Dancing

All the latest breaking news Strictly Come Dancing. Browse The THEGAYUK’s complete collection of features and commentary on Strictly Come Dancing.

  • INTERVIEW | Judge Rinder

    Robert Rinder swaps his gavel for some dancing shoes as one of the stars for this year’s series of Strictly Come Dancing. The judge has been delighting ITV’s afternoon audiences for a number of years with his courtroom antics – but will he be able to command respect on the dancefloor?

    Why are you taking part in Strictly Come Dancing this year?
    I really love the show and I really love dancing, even though I’m not very good, I’m a private secret dancer and I love to dance. The main reason is as my grandparents get older it’s a show they absolutely love. Although they’ve always been unconditionally proud of me I think there is something magical about being able to take part in something which gives them such joy and escapism especially as they suffer from all sorts of illnesses.

     

    ALSO READ: 11 things you didn’t know about Judge Rinder
    ALSO READ: Benedict Cumberbatch officiates at Judge Rinder and his boyfriend’s wedding.

     

    Which judge do you want to impress the most and why?
    Well I would say Craig Revel Horwood, the only difference is unlike him I’m actually able to raise a judicial eyebrow… But actually, I like to impress them all as I think they’re all amazing. I was a massive fan of Darcey Bussell even before she started Strictly and I’ve seen her in a number of ballets and as a huge fan of hers I’ll be actually quite intimidated to meet her – I’d really like her to say something nice, although I should say something nice as well.

    Have you been given any helpful advice or tips from any previous contestants?
    Yes, Susanna Reid typically told me just to be nice (I looked at her slightly perplexed thinking how on earth am I supposed to do that?) and Rachel Stevens who I grew up with said try to remember the steps and be talented (again that’s alright if you’re Rachel Stevens). She is amazing; she has always been super talented even when she was little. We used to play as kids; we’ve known each other since primary school.

  • Judge Rinder confirmed for Strictly

    Openly gay ITV star Judge Rinder has been confirmed as a contestant for this year’s Strictly Come Dancing.

    Judge Rinder has been confirmed as a contestant for this year’s Strictly Come Dancing. Taking to his official Twitter account, Rob Rinder announced, “It’s official, your judge has been confirmed for Strictly”.

    The announcement also happened on Scott Mills’ Radio One show.

    ALSO READ: 11 facts you didn’t know about Judge Rinder

     

    Mr Rinder,  joined the National Youth Theatre at the age of 14, so he knows a thing or two about performance. It was at University where his stage dreams came to an end and he decided to focus on the law.

    He joins Will Young as the second openly gay celebrity taking part in the show.

    Judge Rinder can be seen during the week on ITV in his smash hit show Judge Rinder, he has also gone on to present Judge Rinder’s True Crime Stories.

    In 2015 he married his long-term boyfriend in Ibiza, Seth Cumming in a ceremony that was conducted by best friend Benedict Cumberbatch.

     

  • Will Young to star in Strictly for the BBC

    Pop star Will Young has been confirmed as the second celebrity contestant on the show Strictly Come Dancing.

    Will Young cropped

    Will Young has been confirmed as the second celebrity contestant on the BBC entertainment show Strictly Come Dancing which starts its 14th series in September. The first contestant to be announced was politician Ed Balls.

    The multi-million selling artist said,

    “As a fan of Strictly for years, I have always imagined myself on the show, but the timing has not been right… until now! Music is my passion and the dancing I have done has always been with a microphone in hand. Now there will be no microphone or band, just me, my partner and the dance floor. Strictly is a show with fantastic live music and has an ethos of positivity and growth. I practice these two things every day, and I will try my hardest to be the best dancer possible,”

    One question remains, as Will Young is openly gay, will he have a same-sex partner on the dancefloor?

  • Perez Interested In Strictly After Proving He Is Ratings Gold

    Perez Interested In Strictly After Proving He Is Ratings Gold

    Perez, the most controversial celebrity Big Brother contestant of all time is apparently desperate to do more British reality TV.

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  • Scott Mills is looking forward to the Strictly fake tan

    TV and radio presenter Scott Mills has confirmed he is to star in the new series of Strictly Come Dancing.

    Scott confirmed the news live on the BBC Radio 1 Breakfast Show this morning with Strictly Come Dancing judge Craig Revel Horwood in the studio, surprising fellow presenter Chris Stark with the announcement.

    Readers of TheGayUK might remember Scott from his 2011 documentary The World’s Worst Place To Be Gay, in which he travelled to Uganda. We also had the pleasure of interviewing him in 2012 about Coming Out.

    Award-winning Scott has been entertaining the nation on Radio 1 for over 15 years and is one of the longest-serving and most popular presenters on the network. He currently hosts the weekday early afternoon show on the station from 1pm to 4pm and the weekly Official Chart Update show. On television he has recently presented The National Lottery Live on BBC One and also hosts annual coverage of the Eurovision Song Contest on BBC Three.

    Scott said, ‘My listeners are so used to me playing pranks that they’re probably going to think this is just another one. It’s not, I really am doing this! I’m honoured be part of the biggest show on television and hoping this could be the start of a brand-new skill for me. When I was younger, my Nan danced the foxtrot and waltz and it would be great for me to learn those dances, but I will be out of my comfort zone. Whatever happens, I’m really looking forward to the weekly fake tans!’

    Scott joins Frankie Bridge, Judy Murray, Alison Hammond, Thom Evans, Simon Webbe, Mark Wright, Sunetra Sarker, Jake Wood and Steve Backshall in this year’s battle for the ballroom.

  • BEN COHEN: Shows Off Underwear

    Move over Becks there’s a new Bulge in town as Ben Cohen shows off new underwear range.

    Shirtless, gay icon and Strictly contestant, Ben Cohen is making a stir with his new range of undies – which come in a variety of colours and bulges – sorry just trying to keep our minds on the task of writing this up. Bulge. Sorry, there it goes again…

    So the press release reads:

    The range features Bluebuck’s traditional trio of styles – brief, boxer and trunk – and subtly updates with trim in turquoise and white, to represent the StandUp colours. It also features the high quality fit and feel the brand has come to be known for, all produced in the environmentally responsible manner that lies at the brand’s core.

    Since launching in 2010 Bluebuck has proved it is an underwear brand with a conscience. Using the cleanest of energy sources to manufacture their products in Europe and choosing land rather than air to transport goods and raw materials, the brand is proud to avoid the far-flung supply chains favoured by others.

    Ben’s love of outdoor sports and dedication to his StandUp Foundation makes for a perfect match with Bluebuck’s values of outdoor adventures, men being men and climate friendly production.

    We’re off for a lie down and an early G&T.

    check out: http://www.bluebuck.net and Ben’s foundation http://www.standupfoundation.com

  • OPINION: SAME SEX DANCING ON TV

    Same-sex dancing on TV – Is it time for a cha-cha-change?

    With Strictly Come Dancing‘s glitterball now but a distant memory, the New Year heralds the arrival of Dancing on Ice. The tantalising TV spots are out there and I’m sure you’ll all be tuning in to see those lovely buns and biceps doing some hard work! It made me think though, throughout all these types of dancing shows that grace our screens, when have we ever seen same-sex people dancing? It just doesn’t happen here in the UK.

    The likes of ballroom dancing and ice skating are there for pleasure and enjoyment, an artistic expression set to bring our senses alive, yet these both exude heteronormativity with male dancers ‘taking the lead’ at all times. Men lead these women around in their sexy attire and on their teetering and painfully high heels. Men show off their patriarchal ways, they are the all encompassing dominant bull. It’s a stereotype that has always existed and remains unchanged and put this all to music and everyone absolutely loves it.

    However, surely we all know that one of the purposes of art is for it to push boundaries? We’re living in a time when there is more equality in the sexes, as well as a much calmer social attitude towards gay people than ever. So why isn’t this being reflected in something artistic as dancing, which let’s be honest, gay people and women alike absolutely love?

    I think we are looking at a shift though, as snails paced it may be. Let’s take a look at Strictly this year and in particular, two couples – Richard Arnold & Erin Boag and Lisa Riley & Robin Windsor.

    Richard received a lot of confusing critique from the judges, he took on the lead role in his dances with Erin, but the judges would ask him to camp it up one week and then tone it down the next?! Surely this is a man that may actually prefer to be following and not leading, and what would be wrong with that? On one occasion Craig the judge exclaimed, ‘I’m not convinced you wanted to take Erin to the love shack’…this further backs up my point; it must be difficult for a gay newcomer to the world of dance, to then fully engage with a female dancer, taking the lead straight off. I would love to have seen Richard with Anton Du Beke, he may have performed a hell of a lot better, who knows, until the BBC start taking risks we shall never find out. If only Strictly was on a more liberal channel like Channel 4.

    We all know that Robin had his work cut out with Lisa too, but he was pretty much thrown about that dance floor and commanded by her (which was just fabulous), and on one occasion proved to Lisa he too could dance in high heels. Robin shows adaptability when he performs, and I do take my hat off to him, he is an amazing role model for gay guys as well as a brilliant dancer.

    Slowly but surely we can see that there does need to be a change here, I’m confident it will come but it’ll only happen from new thinkers instead of old traditionalists that are stuck in their ways.

    It’s a joy to see that times may be in fact be changing already. Blackpool, the Mecca of ballroom dancing, last year hosted the first ever Same Sex Open Championships to great delight. Alfons Heider (who it is believed Sacha Baron Cohen based his character Brüno on) also competed on the Austrian version of Dancing with the Stars with a male dancer. Even Israel’s own version of Strictly has had same-sex dance partners. So there is hope out there for us and I believe it’s only a matter of time before we have our gay celebs dancing with male counterparts. Top of my wish list for next years celeb entries to the world of dancing are Ricky Martin or Zachary Quinto please!

    by Lee

     

    Opinions expressed in this article may not reflect those of THEGAYUK, its management or editorial teams. If you’d like to comment or write a comment, opinion or blog piece, please click here.

  • COMMENT: Strictly Farcical

    COMMENT: Strictly Farcical

    Strictly Come Dancing is back for its tenth season on BBC, but why is it proving to be such an entertainment ‘disaster, darling’?

    Beginning in 2004, this series came back to life with a blast, relaunching the original 1949 ‘Come Dancing’ version; one of television’s longest running shows. Since then, each year has managed to provide a celebrity spectacular, wowing its TV audiences.

    The series reignited its education of Latin and Ballroom dancing by utilising celebrities to attract a new, perhaps youthful, audience. But it is my concern that the original philosophy of the show has been compromised too much by a distasteful ‘theme week’ entertainment; a superfluous addition to the shows integrity. This can be highlighted by this weekend’s ‘Halloween’ show. Dani and Vincent dancing to Scooby-Doo, Victorian and Brendan dressed in some ridiculous living-dead outfits, and Denise and partner James evoking circus freaks? This has gone too far. The show should not be about creating some tacky pantomime, instead, it should be about dancing, which the show is failing to address significantly. A similar kind of cheap entertainment can be seen on ITV’s X Factor, which questions the originality and longevity of its acts.

    As a kid, I used to Latin and Ballroom dance every week. Being from Blackpool it seemed apt, with the Tower Ballroom only a stone’s throw away. The magnificence of this ballroom has a magical quality to it, encrusted in its decorative golden surfaces, and the twinkling chandeliers; like a musical box where charm is brought back to life. It is a rare jewel steeped in history and narrative. Over the past couple of weeks, I have taken regular visits to sit and watch the glamour and romance that space offers. There is a sense of naughtiness through expressions of the elderly dancers who come to reminisce whilst eating their cream teas. Here the entertainment, or theatre, comes alive through dance, and not absurd costumes or farcical routines.

    But even this World famous Tower Ballroom, which used to host the season’s final, is no longer the case. The show’s bosses have decided not to screen this year’s finale at the centre of dance splendour. While the Strictly bosses keep a tight grasp on BBC budgets, this puts into question other flops for the BBC, such as the £22 million spent to secure The Voice.

    Strictly has had its fair share of controversies throughout its history of the show. A major public outrage of disappointment came in 2009 when judge Arlene Phillips, a highly respected choreographer, was axed from the show. It was at this point in the shows history a definite sign of change was coming; change not for the better. With this in mind, it is understandable that the BBC has provoked strong criticism from its loyal viewers. Shows bosses have a duty to their audience, and it is my feeling that this is being sacrificed. Why can’t they see that a shows entertainment will come from quality, and not a ridiculous pantomime?

    As an advocate of both quality and integrity, I urge the bosses at BBC to reconsider the fundamental philosophy of this show. If you want to maintain the credibility of longevity and success, then you need to urgently re-address the formula of the show. Step to it, quick quick slow.

    Opinions expressed in this article may not reflect those of THEGAYUK, its management or editorial teams. If you’d like to comment or write a comment, opinion or blog piece, please click here.

     

  • Strictly Off To A Glittery Start

    More fake tan than the entire cast of Towie, do not adjust the colour on your TV sets – it can only mean one thing, the Strictly Come Dancing extravaganza has come to our screens.

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  • Full Strictly Line 2012 Revealed

    Yesterday we revealed who the judges and presenters were for the forthcoming series of Strictly Come Dancing, well today the full list of contenders has been announced.

    A girl-band member, soap stars, radio personalities, sports people and Fern Britton.

    It looks like the tenth SCD is going to be a full house.

    Denise Van Outen
    Denise van Outen (born Denise Kathleen Outen, 27 May 1974)[citation needed] is an English actress, singer and television presenter. Her most notable roles to date are as a presenter on The Big Breakfast, and as Roxie Hart in the musical Chicago on both the West End and on Broadway.

    Lisa Riley (born 5 August 1976) is a British television presenter and actress best known for playing the role of Mandy Dingle in the television soap opera Emmerdale and succeeding Jeremy Beadle on You’ve Been Framed.

    Sid Owen (born David Sutton on 12 January 1972) is an English actor, television presenter and former singer, most famous for playing the role of Ricky Butcher in the BBC One soap opera EastEnders, which he appeared in from 1988 until 2012. On 22 July 2012 Owen confirmed he had retired from acting. On 10 September 2012, it was announced that Owen would be a contestant for the tenth series of Strictly Come Dancing.

    Nicholas Bernard James Adam Byrne Jr (born 9 October 1978) is a singer-songwriter, radio and TV presenter and former footballer, best known for being the oldest member of Irish music band Westlife. Before his music career, he played professional football, representing Republic of Ireland at several underage levels. Since then he has had a successful TV presenting career. His wife Georgina is the daughter of former Irish Taoiseach, Bertie Ahern, and they have twin sons called Rocco Bertie Byrne and Jay Nicky Byrne. On 7 September 2012, it was announced that Byrne would be a contestant for the tenth series of Strictly Come Dancing.

    Richard Arnold (born 24 November 1969)[1] is a British television presenter. He is currently working with ITV Breakfast and Seven Network. On the 7th of September 2012 he became the first celebrity to be announced officially for Strictly Come Dancing 2012.

    Louis Antoine Smith (born 22 April 1989) is a British artistic gymnast who specializes in the pommel horse. He received a bronze medal and a silver medal on the pommel horse at the 2008 Beijing Olympics and the 2012 London Olympics respectively,[2] with the former marking the first time a Briton gymnast had placed in an Olympic event since 1928.[3] Smith has also formed part of the Great Britain team that took the bronze in the men’s artistic team all-around at the 2012 London Olympics.

    Smith is a member of the Huntingdon Gymnastics Club, training alongside teammate Daniel Keatings under coach Paul Hall. He is a two-time European Silver medallist and Commonwealth Games Champion.

    Victoria Louise Pendleton, MBE (born 24 September 1980) is a retired English track cyclist who specialised in the sprint disciplines. She represented Great Britain and England in international competition, winning nine world titles including a record six in the individual sprint competition. Pendleton is the reigning World Champion for the sprint, and a former Olympic, European and Commonwealth champion. In 2012 she won the gold medal in the keirin at the 2012 Summer Olympics, as well as silver in the individual sprint.

    Pendleton was appointed a Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE) in the 2009 New Year Honours.[5]

    Michael Paul Vaughan OBE (born 29 October 1974[1] in Manchester[2]) is a retired cricketer who represented Yorkshire and England. A classically elegant right-handed batsman and occasional off-spinner, Vaughan was ranked one of the best batsmen in the world following the 2002/3 Ashes, in which he scored 633 runs, including three centuries. Vaughan was an opening batsman and forged a successful England partnership with Marcus Trescothick, though he had often batted in the middle order for England. He was the captain of the England team when they regained the Ashes in 2005, eighteen years after having last won the trophy.

    Johnny Ball (born Graham Ball, 23 May 1938) is a British television personality, a populariser of mathematics and the father of BBC Radio 2 DJ Zoë Ball.

    Colin Salmon (born 6 December 1962) is a British actor best known for playing Charles Robinson in three James Bond films and James “One” Shade in the Resident Evil film series.

    Danielle Jane Harmer (born 8 February 1989) is an English television actress, presenter and singer. Harmer is best known as the title character in the UK television programme The Story of Tracy Beaker/Tracy Beaker Returns and Tracy Beaker Survival Files, a guide of how to survive in the world. She also played Molly Venables in the BBC sitcom After You’ve Gone.[1] Harmer confirmed on Twitter that she will not appear in the spin off series, The Dumping Ground.[citation needed]

    Harmer also has her own TV show called Dani’s House,[2] which is to conclude on 19 July 2012. A spin-off series has been confirmed for Dani’s House, which will be called ‘Dani’s Castle’. Harmer has also occasionally presented continuity clips on the CBBC Channel. She was also a presenter on Friday Download in the first series, where she guest presented the ‘Style Download’ segment.

    Harmer recorded her debut album Superheroes but it was never released and it was later confirmed she had parted way with her record company.

    Fern Britton (born 17 July 1957) is an English television presenter, known as the former main co-presenter on the ITV magazine programme This Morning alongside Phillip Schofield. She left the show on 17 July 2009, her 52nd birthday.

    Jerry Faye Hall (born July 2, 1956) is an American model and actress, also known for her long-term relationship with Mick Jagger and her four children with him.

    Kimberley Jane Walsh (born 20 November 1981) is an English singer-songwriter, dancer,[2] model, television presenter and actress. She is best known for being a member of girl group Girls Aloud, formed through ITV’s reality television programme Popstars: The Rivals.[3] The group has achieved twenty consecutive top ten singles (including four number ones) in the UK, five studio albums have all been certified platinum by the British Phonographic Industry (BPI), two of which went to number one in the UK, and accumulating a total of five BRIT Award nominations.Also acts in Horrid Henry The Movie as Prissy Polly.

    Walsh fronts the 2009 Autumn/Winter collection for the fashion chain New Look. In July 2010, Walsh became a presenter on music talk-show, Suck My Pop. Walsh’s net worth was estimated at £6 million in April 2012.[4]

    The tenth SCD premieres on BBC1 on Saturday night at 6.30PM. Sir Bruce Forsyth and Tess Daly return as the hosts of this years contest, with Bruno Tonioli, Craig Revel Horwood, Len Goodman being joined by new addition Darcey Bussell.
    All photos © BBC Ray Burmiston

  • Strictly Come Dancing Stars Announced

    The BBC is gearing up for what is promised to be the best series of Strictly Come Dancing yet and there is some impressive talent lined up.

    Girls Aloud singer Kimberly Walsh has become the latest celeb to be officially confirmed as a contestant on this year’s Strictly Come Dancing.

    She’s taken to the micro-social network Twitter to Tweet her excitement on joining the show and about her training.

    Other celebrities confirmed are Sid Owen (former Eastenders) Denise van Outen, Nicky Byrne (Westlife), Jerry Hall was spotted in a not convincing or effective disguise arriving for training last week.

    The Daily Mail reported that Olympians Victoria Pendleton and Louis Smith are joining the dancing team.

    The show is being presenting again by TV legend Bruce Forsyth with Tess Daly and the judges are confirmed as: Darcey Bussell, Len Goodman, Craig Revel and Bruno Tonioli