Claudia Winkleman to present Strictly Sunday results show with Tess

Breaking news; Claudia Winkleman will present the Sunday night results show with Tess Daly for series 10 of Strictly Come Dancing!

It has been reported that Bruce Forsyth is too tired to present the results show, which is filmed directly after the live show goes out on Saturday.

Last year Claudia stepped in for Brucie when he had the flu (as well as good old Ronnie Corbett) and BBC producers obviously liked what they saw.

An insider said: “Claudia is the perfect choice as she already has a history with Strictly.

“It will be all about girl power with Tess at the helm as well.”

Hmm girl power, it’s not the Spice Girls, get with it BBC!

Claudia will be great fot the Sunday night results show as she already has a great rapport with all the professionals and the judges and she’s a safe pair of hands.

Good on you Claudia!

Filed under: 2010 by Alex
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Source: dailymail.co.uk

Former Coronation Street actress Tina O’Brien has become the latest star to sign up for Strictly Come Dancing.

The 26-year-old who played Sarah-Louise Platt in the soap will join the likes of Good Life actress Felicity Kendal and former minister Ann Widdecombe on the next series.

Also signed up to appear on the BBC dancing show are Gavin Henson, rugby star and ex-partner of Charlotte Church, and actress Patsy Kensit.

Manchester born O’Brien first starred in Children’s Ward and Clocking Off before she joined Corrie in 1999 and left the show in 2007.

Her most famous storyline was the teen pregnancy and birth of baby Bethany in the drama.

She has been lined up to appear in the next series of BBC1 school drama Waterloo Road.

Miss O’Brein famously had a relationship with co-star Ryan Thomas, who played Jason Grimshaw in the soap and the pair had a child together in 2008. But the pair split up after a series of rows in 2009.

The first bunch of signings for the show represent a coup for the series as they are already of a higher calibre than many of those who took part in the last series.

Critics condemned the number of barely recognisable contestants who appeared on the 2009 show, declaring the Strictly dancers were more famous than the celebrity contestants.
(more…)

Filed under: 2010 by Alex
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The Strictly Come Dancing glitterball world is awash with names of new celebs that may be taking part in series 10; but I for one am not that excited.

Don’t get me wrong, I like Patsy Kensit, Felicity Kendall, Ann Widdecombe and umm, Gavin Henson, but are they the big names we have been looking forward to? Are they the superstars that the BBC have promsied us?

Well..no, not really.

I know it’s a stretch to get Hollywood A listers, but come on BBC, try a bit harder!

Filed under: 2010 by Alex
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Source: mirror.co.uk

Bruce Forsyth is to cut back as Strictly Come Dancing’s top host.

The 82-year-old has told bosses he could not handle the “exhausting” new schedule after it was again decided to split the contest into two parts each weekend, with a Sunday results show.

Now the next BBC1 series set for September could be his last.

Brucie confessed he would struggle to maintain his energy and enthusiasm for up to four hours on a Saturday when both programmes are recorded.

And a BBC source said: “We have agreed he will just work on the main slot on the Saturday.

“It’s a compromise that keeps him on the show and everyone is happy he can ‘keep dancing’ for a while longer. But it is the beginning of the end in terms of his appearances.

“Most people think this will be his final year since he told us he couldn’t manage the whole series with the format we have in mind. It’s too much and would leave him exhausted.”

(more…)

Filed under: 2010, bruce forsyth by Alex
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Source: unrealitytv.co.uk

Cheryl Cole’s close friend, dancer Derek Hough, has confirmed that he will be appearing in this year’s Strictly Come Dancing, but he’ll be in just one show.

The Sun reports that the BBC had hoped to sign Derek up for the entirety of the new series, but Derek’s commitments with the US show, Dancing With The Stars meant that he can only make a guest appearance.

The paper also reports that Derek has regularly been “at Cheryl’s bedside” since she became ill with malaria following the pair’s holiday to Tanzania together.

A source close to Derek told the paper, “He’s excited about taking part, but it’ll be bitter sweet as Cheryl’s illness means she will miss a lot of the X Factor.

Filed under: 2010 by Alex
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Source: PA

Former MP Ann Widdecombe has waltzed off the floor of the Commons to commandeer the dance floor – as a contestant on Strictly Come Dancing.

The ex-shadow home secretary will be among the line-up of stars in September along with former Good Life star Felicity Kendall, a source has told the Press Association.

Rugby star Gavin Henson, the former fiancee of singer Charlotte Church has also been in talks about a role on the show.

The line-up of the hit ballroom show is the source of much speculation each year and has helped many contestants to push their careers in a new direction.

Miss Widdecombe, 62, has been approached to take part in the show in past years, but kept the door open by saying she would think about competing “once I’ve retired”.

An insider has now said she is lined up for the show, along with Kendall, 63, who is best known for her role as Barbara Good in the 70s sitcom and landed the title Rear Of The Year in 1981.

A BBC spokesman was unable to confirm any of the names tonight. He said: “We don’t comment on speculation.”

Bruce Forsyth said in an interview this week that he expected to return to Strictly as the show’s host.

Filed under: 2010 by Alex
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Source: mirror.co.uk

Strictly Come Dancing fans may be in for a Brucie bonus next series as his wife Wilnelia wants to take part.

Bruce, 82, has verbally agreed a deal with the BBC to present the show this year and his wife, known as Winnie, has revealed she is keen to hit the dancefloor as a contestant.

Puerto Rican former Miss World Winnie, 50, said: “Being Latin, dancing is in my blood, so I’d love it.

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“I’d have to give Bruce earplugs in case the judges say something horrible, though.”

On talks over a new presenting deal, Bruce said: “Negotiations with the BBC have begun, they are going very well and things are looking good.”

Filed under: 2010 by Alex
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Source: STV

New Strictly Come Dancing professional dancer Robin Windsor has claimed that his ideal partner of the show would be Victoria Beckham.

Windsor is joined by Latin champion and US So You Think You Can Dance graduate Artem Chigvintsev and 21-year-old High School Musical dancer and Swing Youth winner Jared Murillo as the new professionals on the BBC ballroom show.

He told Dance Today: “I’ve always wanted to do Strictly Come Dancing.

“It’s something that they’ve always had intentions of, but I wasn’t sure what they would think of me because I don’t look like your conventional ballroom dancer and that kind of restricted me from applying before.”

Asked which celebrity he would choose to be teamed up with, he said: “I’d love to have Victoria Beckham.

“I’m sure that one comes up many, many times.”

He added: “But if we could go back in any time, I would love to partner up with an old school, famous actress such as, back in her day, someone like Elizabeth Taylor, who’s got this grace and elegance and would be able to create some passion with it as well.”

Strictly Come Dancing is set to return to our screens in the autumn.

Filed under: 2010 by Alex
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Source: telegraph.co.uk

Miriam O’Reilly, the former Countryfile presenter, who is suing the BBC for alleged age and sex discrimination, warned this week that no woman was safe in television once she reached 45.

Len Goodman, the Strictly Come Dancing judge, fears that men might be no more secure.

The ex-ballroom dancer worries that he may be dropped like his former colleague, Arlene Phillips, 67.

“They have had a bit of a chop and a change, I have heard, but, if it is my turn, well, so be it,” said Goodman, 66, at a Strictly dinner held by the children’s charity Fight For Life.

“I am waiting for the contract to come through. Of course, I would love to do it.The BBC usually get in touch around this sort of time. They haven’t been in communication with me yet, so I am still waiting.”

Last week, the producers told five of the dancers that they would not get to dance with “celebrity” contestants and instead offered them parts in a new group.

“The real fans get to know the professionals almost as well as they know the celebrities, so it will be a bit of a shock to the system,” Goodman told Mandrake.

A BBC spokesman said it could not confirm whether Goodman would be a judge on the autumn series.

Filed under: series 8 by Alex
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Source: unrealitytv.co.uk

Strictly Come Dancing bosses have reportedly signed Patsy Kensit and Matthew Wright for their upcoming series.

The timing couldn’t have been better for Patsy, who will leave BBC’s Holby City later this year. She is hoping that a role on the show will help her take her mind off her recent split from husband DJ Jeremy Healy.

A source told The Mirror: “Getting Patsy on board is a great move by Beeb bosses and should please Brucie.

“She’s a colourful character to say the least with a succession of high-profile exes. Not only that, but she’s known to millions of viewers for her time on Holby City and Emmerdale.”

“She knows this is a massive gamble but it’s a perfect tonic to take her mind off the events of the last 12 months. She’s nothing if not a fighter and will love the chance to shine in such a high profile show.”

Producers are also said to have signed our favourite talk show host Matthew Wright and are said to be in talks with former GMTV presenters Ben Shepard and Penny Smith as well as TV star Richard Madeley.

It sounds like Strictly might be well on their way to the best lineup they’ve had in years. Will it help them beat The X Factor’s ratings? We doubt it but they might put up a good fight!

Filed under: series 8 by Alex
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Source: Daily Mail

Flamboyant  judge Craig Revel Horwood would call it ‘a dis-ast-aah, darling’ – the suits at the BBC are tinkering with Strictly Come Dancing again.

And as the show, once the jewel in the Corporation’s crown, limps towards its eighth series this autumn, it is in uproar yet again.

There has already been a flounceout by one professional dancer, with more threatening to walk.

There are disputes over pay, and disarray over both the judging panel and the prospective contestants.

Indeed, instead of glamour and gaiety, there is more angst and gloom than in a Pinter play.

No wonder people are suggesting this could be the sequins-and-hairspray extravaganza’s last tango.

Bruce Forsyth has not signed up, despite a meeting with the BBC in April. The 82-year-old host has been offered £660,000 to return. If he goes, it will be a disaster – yet he seems in no hurry to sign on the dotted line.

‘It’s up to Bruce as to whether he feels up to it. It is a long haul and gruelling for him,’ a source close to the negotiations said. He has a month to make up his mind.

Meanwhile there is the opposite problem with Alesha Dixon, who caused an outcry when she was introduced last year on a salary of £100,000 to replace 66-year- old Arlene Phillips.

Alesha, 31, will definitely return, but hasn’t exactly received a ringing endorsement from head judge Len Goodman. ‘Alesha is young and she’s got a singing career in front of her. I would understand (if she doesn’t come back),’ he said.

The irrepressible Bruno Tonioli is said to be so tired of it all – and so fed up with his relatively modest £60,000 salary – that he is thinking this year might just be his last.
(more…)

Filed under: series 8 by Alex
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Source: stv

Bruce Forsyth has still not signed up for the new series of Strictly Come Dancing, according to a report. The veteran host is thought to be undecided if he wants to return.

It has been claimed that he was offered a £660,000 deal at a meeting in April to host the show.

However, the 82-year-old has not made up his mind whether to accept the position and still has a month to let the producers know his intentions.

A source told the Daily Mail: “It’s up to Bruce as to whether he feels up to it. It is a long haul and gruelling for him.”

Forsyth refused to be drawn on his Strictly plans, in an interview last month he told the Sunday Express: “I am not going to confirm whether I am going back to Strictly or not – that information is strictly confidential.”

In April, his agent Jan Kennedy said that the presenter was waiting to hear about planned changes to the programme before making up his mind.

His co-host on the ballroom dancing competition Tess Daly confirmed that she is to return to the show some time ago.

Filed under: bruce forsyth, series 8 by Alex
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