Strictly Come Dancing Page 3

After months of speculation, ‘Strictly Come Dancing’ has at least revealed who is to replace Len Goodman as the panel’s head judge – and they’ve picked from the world of dance rather than from the world of celebrity.

Shirley Ballas, a former champion ballroom dancer who is nicknamed ‘The Queen of Latin’, is not exactly a household name, but it is she who is to step in when ‘Strictly Come Dancing’ returns later this year. A respected figure in the dance industry as a coach and as a judge, Ballas retired from dancing competitively in 1996.

Continue reading: 'Strictly Come Dancing' Reveals Len Goodman's Successor As Head Judge

The job offers are coming in for the defeated ‘Strictly Come Dancing’ finalist Danny Mac, as it has been revealed that the actor will be starring in a new musical theatre adaptation of Sleepless In Seattle alongside his fiancée Carley Stenson.

28 year old Danny is best known for his role as Mark ‘Dodger’ Savage in Channel 4 soap ‘Hollyoaks’, but he’ll be taking up the role of Sam in ‘Sleepless the Musical’ when it opens at the Theatre Royal Plymouth on April 1st 2017, alongside his partner Carley as she plays Annie.

The production will then move to week-long stints at Salford and Dublin prior to a run in the West End in late May.

Continue reading: 'Strictly' Finalist Danny Mac To Star In 'Sleepless In Seattle' Musical

Len Goodman has said he doesn't believe his ‘turn up, shut up’ comment to Will Young was the reason the singer quit ‘Strictly Come Dancing’.

Young pulled out of the BBC competition in the week following Goodman’s comment, which came after the singer had answered back to the judge when he criticised his Bollywood routine for not including enough salsa.

Len Goodman says Will Young’s ‘Strictly’ exit was not because of their clash

Continue reading: Len Goodman Says Will Young Didn't Quit 'Strictly' Over "Turn Up Shut Up" Remark

After a memorable three months of awkward dad-dancing that has seen him become something of an improbably cult hero, former Labour politician Ed Balls has been eliminated from ‘Strictly Come Dancing’.

The ex-shadow chancellor had progressed deep into the competition, regularly saved by the public vote in the face of increasingly low marks awarded by the judges. However, Balls’ luck eventually ran out, and he was sent home after losing a dance-off against Judge Rinder on Sunday night (September 27th).

Ed Balls with his 'Strictly' pro partner Katya Jones

Continue reading: Ed Balls Eliminated From 'Strictly Come Dancing' After Unlikely Run

In the weird world of 2016, it seems anything is possible and it looks like that could include Ed Balls as the winner of Strictly Come Dancing. The former Labour shadow chancellor has been storming through the weeks of the BBC One reality show and his former rival, Greg Rutherford, has come out in defence of the controversial dancer.

Ed & Katya seen at the Pride Of Britain Awards

Olympic athlete Greg was the celebrity that bit the dust last weekend (Sat, November 19) but it seems he bears no ill will against Balls, 49 - who has previously wowed audiences at home with a salsa to Psy's Gangham Style.

Continue reading: Greg Rutherford Defends Ed Balls After Strictly Success

‘Strictly Come Dancing’ pro Gorka Marquez was the victim of a street attack on Saturday night, which has left him with two missing teeth.

The 26-year-old was ambushed by a gang of youths in Blackpool as he made his way to a nightclub, hours after he took part in Saturday’s live show.

According to The Sun, he had been walking to the club with fellow ‘Strictly’ pros Aljaz Skorjanec and Neil Jones in the early hours of the morning, when the group targeted them in an unprovoked attack.

Continue reading: 'Strictly Come Dancing' Pro Gorka Marquez Loses Two Teeth In Street Attack

Laura Whitmore has hit back at claims she sent abusive text messages to her ‘Strictly Come Dancing’ partner Giovanni Pernice.

A source had claimed to MailOnine that the TV presenter had been feuding with Pernice during their time competing on the BBC show, and that she had ‘bullied’ him with abusive text messages.

But responding on Twitter, Whitmore called the allegations ‘lies’.

Continue reading: Laura Whitmore Brands Claims She Sent Giovanni Pernice Abusive Texts "Lies"

Daisy Lowe has opened up on her split from boyfriend Bradley ‘Frankie’ Wade, blaming the pressures of competing on ‘Strictly Come Dancing’.

The model had vowed not to be the latest victim of what’s known as the ‘Strictly curse’, but said hours of rehearsals left her with ‘nothing left to give’ the relationship.

Daisy Lowe is single again thanks to the ‘Strictly curse’

Continue reading: Daisy Lowe Opens Up On 'Strictly Curse' That Led To Split From Boyfriend

'Strictly Come Dancing' professional Anton Du Beke has announced he’s expecting twins with girlfriend Hannah Summers, after years of trying to conceive.

The 50-year-old star of the BBC One dancing competition has been dating Summers, the head of a telecommunications firm, for six years.

Anton Du Beke is expecting twins with long time girlfriend Hannah Summers

Continue reading: 'Strictly Come Dancing's' Anton Du Beke Expecting Twins

Former England rugby international and ‘Strictly Come Dancing’ star Ben Cohen has been left “devastated” after a private two-minute sex tape was leaked online.

The footage, which was apparently when the 38 year old was single, was stolen and published without his knowledge this week. Still images have been shared via social media and Cohen, who has since settled down with current girlfriend Kristina Rihanoff – whom he met on ‘Strictly’ in 2013 – and has had a baby daughter with her, is said to be mortified.

Ben Cohen with current girlfriend Kristina Rihanoff in March

Continue reading: Former 'Strictly' Star Ben Cohen Left "Devastated" After Sex Tape Leak

‘Strictly Come Dancing’ bosses are reportedly in panic mode, as six professional dancers have been struck down by a ‘mystery bug’.

Brendan Cole has already confirmed he’ll be missing this weekend’s shows as he recovers from a lung infection and will be replaced by Gorka Marquez.

But now Katya Jones, Janette Manrara, Neil Jones, Aljaz Skorjanec and Anton du Beke are also said to be experiencing 'flu-like symptoms'.

Continue reading: 'Strictly Come Dancing' In Turmoil After Six Pro Dancers Hit By Mystery Bug

Ballroom dance instructor Gary Edwards is the latest name to be linked with the vacant judging chair on ‘Strictly Come Dancing’ when head judge Len Goodman steps down after the end of the current series.

A BBC source has reportedly revealed that Goodman and fellow judge Bruno Tonioli are both good friends with 50 year old Edwards, a holder of over 30 international ballroom dance titles and who once instructed Michael Jackson. Tonioli has apparently raised Edwards’ name to the ‘Strictly’ producers as an idea for whom to choose to replace Goodman for the 2017 series.

Len Goodman is stepping down from 'Strictly' at the end of the current series

Continue reading: Ballroom Instructor Gary Edwards The New Rumoured Replacement For Len Goodman On 'Strictly'

‘Strictly Come Dancing’ pro Brendan Cole will be replaced with Gorka Marquez for this week’s rehearsals as he recovers from a serious chest infection.

Cole is partnered with singer Anastacia in this year's competition and hopes to be fit for this weekend’s live shows.

Gorka Marquez is filling in for Brendan Cole for this week’s ‘Strictly’ training

Continue reading: Brendan Cole Replaced For 'Strictly Come Dancing' Rehearsals As He Recovers From Chest Infection

BBC competition ‘Strictly Come Dancing’ has found itself at the center of a ‘race row’ after a third non-white contestant left the show on Sunday.

BBC Breakfast’s Naga Munchetty was eliminated by public vote last night, after finding herself in the bottom two with singer Anastacia. She is now the third non-white contestant to be voted off, after Tameka Empson and Melvin Odoom.

Continue reading: 'Strictly Come Dancing' Race Row Intensifies After Naga Munchetty's Exit

Will Young has sensationally quit BBC’s hit show Strictly Come Dancing and the producers have revealed he will not be replaced - despite fans calling for the reinstatement of last week’s loser Tameka Empson.

Will Young will not be appearing in Strictly Come Dancing any more

The 37-year-old singer announced he had quit the show because of "personal reasons" but has not elaborated on what those reasons are.

Continue reading: Will Young Has Sensationally Quit Strictly Come Dancing

The surprising elimination of actress Tameka Empson from ‘Strictly Come Dancing’ over the weekend has triggered accusations from some quarters that the BBC show is racist, after two black contestants were voted off the show in consecutive weeks.

39 year old ‘EastEnders’ star Empson left ‘Strictly’ after losing the dance-off against TV presenter Laura Whitmore on Sunday night (October 9th). In doing so, she became the second of three black contestants on the show to be eliminated out of a pool of 15 starters, in only the second week where the public was given a vote.

Continue reading: 'Strictly Come Dancing' Attracts Racism Accusations After Tameka Empson's Elimination

Having been forced to miss her dance-off performance through injury, singer Anastacia has been given the all-clear to perform on ‘Strictly Come Dancing’ this weekend.

The 48 year old American singer had been forced to make alterations to her salsa routine ahead of last weekend’s episode of ‘Strictly’, having torn a scar from her double mastectomy operation while training with professional dance partner Brendan Cole last week.

Anastacia will be able to perform this weekend on 'Strictly Come Dancing'

Continue reading: Anastacia Given The Green Light By Doctors To Compete On 'Strictly'

The BBC has dropped a significant hint as to who might be the eventual replacement on ‘Strictly Come Dancing’ for Len Goodman, who is quitting the show at the end of the current series.

46 year old Karen Hardy, a former professional dancer on ‘Strictly’ until 2009, has been selected to be a judge on the panel for the show’s live tour early in 2017. This will reportedly act as a kind of trial for the permanent role for the 15th series this time next year.

Karen Hardy pictured in 2012

Continue reading: BBC Drops Hint At Len Goodman's Replacement On 'Strictly Come Dancing'

The new series of ‘Strictly Come Dancing’ has barely started, but already one of the contestants has resigned themselves for an early exit, with Ed Balls admitting that the standard of his competitors’ dancing abilities is “too high”.

The former Labour Shadow Chancellor has joked that his “dad dancing” moves were unlikely to get him very far in the much-loved show, but he was surprised that he was the only contestant who was so obviously lacking in natural dancing ability.

Ed Balls is seemingly resigned to an early exit from 'Strictly Come Dancing'

Continue reading: Ed Balls Admits The Standard On 'Strictly Come Dancing' Is "Too High" For Him

‘Strictly Come Dancing’ contestant Daisy Lowe has revealed that her grandfather passed away suddenly on the first day of rehearsals for the BBC One show. Eddie Davis, who was nicknamed Fast Eddie, had helped raise the model and had been excited to see her take part in ‘Strictly’.

Daisy Lowe’s grandfather died on the first day of ‘Strictly’ rehearsals

Speaking to The Mirror she said: “It was all quite sudden. I was talking to him the day before. He was so excited about me doing the show.” Daisy was paired with pro Aljaz Skorjanec on last night’s launch show and says her friendship with fellow ­contestant Louise Redknapp helped her get through the tough time.

Continue reading: 'Strictly' Star Daisy Lowe Reveals Heartache Over Grandfather's Death: "I'm Dancing For Him"

Craig Revel Horwood has revealed the real reason why Len Goodman has announced he’ll be stepping down from the ‘Strictly Come Dancing’ judging panel at the end of the year – because he no longer has the energy for all the travelling he does.

72 year old Goodman combines his head judge role on BBC One’s Saturday night favourite, which returns next weekend (September 3rd), with a judging position on America’s ‘Dancing With the Stars’ – and the international travel it involves is getting too much for him.

Len Goodman is stepping down from his 'Strictly' role after this series

Continue reading: Craig Revel Horwood Knows The Real Reason Len Goodman Is Quitting 'Strictly'

A little under 12 months after they fell in love when partnered together on ‘Strictly Come Dancing’ last year, Georgia May Foote has announced that she’s split from her dancer boyfriend Giovanni Pernice.

The couple finished as runners-up on 2015’s ‘Strictly’, behind eventual winner Jay McGuinness of boyband The Wanted and his pro dance partner Aliona Vilani.

Georgia May Foote with Giovanni Pernice in 2016

Continue reading: Georgia May Foote Splits From Former 'Strictly' Dance Partner Giovanni Pernice

The full line-up for this year’s ‘Strictly Come Dancing’ has been confirmed, with four celebrity names being announced this week to complete the list of 15 competitors, including former Olympic gold medallist Greg Rutherford.

The other names to be revealed on Monday (August 22nd) included former ‘Birds of a Feather’ actress Lesley Joseph, ex-‘EastEnders’ star Tameka Empson and ITV’s Judge Robert Rinder.

29 year old Rutherford, who recently took bronze in the long jump at the Rio Olympics less than a week ago having won gold in London four years ago, will be keeping himself busy in the coming months by trying to impress the judges with the salsa, rhumba and foxtrot.

Continue reading: British Olympian Greg Rutherford Completes 'Strictly Come Dancing' Line-Up

Ex-‘Coronation Street’ star Georgia May Foote has been revealed as the latest celebrity to be taking part in ‘Strictly Come Dancing’.

The 24 year old actress, who quit her role as Katy Armstrong in the ITV soap earlier in 2015 to pursue a career in Hollywood, will be focussing on Britain for the foreseeable future as she’s been confirmed as the fourth contestant in the annual BBC dancing competition.

Georgia May Foote outside the BBC studios after confirming she'll be taking part in 'Strictly' 2015

Continue reading: Georgia May Foote Confirmed As Fourth 'Strictly Come Dancing' Contestant

The nights are starting to draw in, the football season has started, and now another reminder that autumn is nearly upon has arrived with the news of ‘Strictly Come Dancing’s first contestant.

BBC Radio 2 DJ and presenter Jeremy Vine is the first celebrity name to be confirmed for the ever-popular dance competition. The news was announced on Vine’s Radio 2 colleague Chris Evans’s breakfast show on Monday (August 10th). The 50 year old presenter, who is stand-up comedian Tim Vine’s brother, told Evans: “How could I say no to the biggest show in TV? Yes, yes, yes and yes again to the sequins and the Samba!”

Jeremy Vine is the first contestant to be confirmed for 'Strictly' 2015

Continue reading: Jeremy Vine Confirmed As First Contestant On 'Strictly Come Dancing' 2015

Seasoned BBC favourite ‘Mrs. Brown’s Boys’ won the Christmas Day ratings war for a second year in a row.

The popular sitcom was the most-watched show on December 25th with 7.61 million viewers tuning in, beating competition from long-running soap ‘EastEnders’ (close behind with 7.55 million). The ‘Strictly Come Dancing’ Christmas special completed a clean sweep of the top three for the BBC, getting 6.98 million viewers for Bruce Forsyth’s much-anticipated return.

Brendan O'Carroll, creator of 'Mrs. Brown's Boys', sings carols at the annual Christmas Ward Walk 2014

Continue reading: 'Mrs. Brown's Boys' Tops The Christmas TV Ratings

After nearly three months of intense competition, ‘Strictly Come Dancing’ has a winner! Former ‘Xtra Factor’ host Caroline Flack was voted the best of the three remaining contestants along with her professional dance partner Pasha Kovalev.

Former pop stars Frankie Bridge (of The Saturdays) and Simon Webbe (of Blue) were the runners-up in the final vote, while former ‘The Only Way Is Essex’ star Mark Wright was voted off in fourth place in an earlier stage of the final.

Winner! Caroline Flack was crowned 'Strictly...' 2014 champion on Saturday night

Continue reading: Caroline Flack Crowned 2014 'Strictly Come Dancing' Winner

It is a battle that could have perhaps been avoided had either the BBC or ITV backed down and rescheduled, but Strictly Come Dancing and The X-Factor went head-to-head for the first time this year on Sunday, with the dancing reality show winning out. ITV will have hoped the return of Cheryl Cole and Simon Cowell would have been enough to pip its rival - airing its first season without Bruce Forsyth - though it wasn't to be.

The return of Simon Cowell was not enough for The X-Factor to beat Strictly

Strictly returned with 8.4 million viewers on Sunday - a 33.7% share of the audience between 8pm and 9.15pm. The X-Factor had to settle for second place, with 7.6 million viewers and a 27.9% share between 8pm and 9.05pm.

Continue reading: Despite Cowell's Return, 'Strictly' Topples X-Factor In Sunday Ratings

Abbey Clancy was named the winner of the BBC's Strictly Come Dancing on Saturday (21 Dec.) night, earning her and professional dancer Aljaz Skorjanec the glitter ball trophy. Clancy emerged victorious from an all-female final, beting actress Natalie Gumede, newsreader Susanna Reid and singer Sophie Ellis-Bextor to the grand prize.

Clancy and ex-Corrie star Natalie Gumede were the best performers on the night

BBC Breakfast presenter Reid had been the bookie's favourite to take home the award, but after a valiant display from Clancy in the final episode of the season, the viewers at home voted Mrs Peter Crouch to be the Dancing Queen, also preventing Reid from being the third BBC presenter to win the contest. Clancy later called Strictly "the most perfect experience I've had" and her professional partner Skorjanec, who made his debut on the series this season, said: "I can't believe this; it's just mad."

Continue reading: Abbey Clancy Crowned 'Strictly Come Dancing' 2013 Winner

With the semi-finals set to hit our screens in a couple of weeks, we look at our favourites among the 'Strictly Come Dancing' six remaining contestants.

Yesterday (December 1st 2013) saw 'Waterloo Road''s  get voted out of the competition in their tenth week after landing in the bottom two with Ashley Taylor Dawson and Ola Jordan following their lively 'Lion King' routine. They performed a samba to the popular Disney hit 'I Just Can't Wait To Be King' complete with lion inspired costumes and, alas, face paint.

Mark Benton and Iveta Lukosiute perform 'The Lion King' inspired dance

Continue reading: Who's Boogying Their Way Into The Final On 'Strictly Come Dancing'? [Pictures]