Saturday 1 June 2013, 14:24
It only seems like yesterday that we dusted off the glitter of last year's triumphant Grand Final, and now with the a new series in the not too distant future, we have news to announce at Strictly HQ.
This year we'll be waving goodbye to Flavia, Vincent, Erin and Aliona. After many successful series entertaining the nation with their spectacular Ballroom and Latin routines, our much loved pro-dancers will be hanging up their Strictly shoes. It won't be the last that you will see of them though, Flavia and Vincent promise to return to deck the halls with glitterballs, for the Christmas special.
So we are very pleased to reveal four new incredible professional dancers who will take to the floor in the autumn...
Emma Slater
British Born Emma has won was ranked in the top 20 Latin American dancers in the world, in 2006/2007. Later in 2007 Emma featured in the movie Mamma Mia, singing on the Grammy nominated soundtrack. After Mamma Mia she joined the cast of Dirty Dancing in the Aldwych Theatre in London’s West End. She went on to star in West End shows Cheek to Cheek and Latin Fever before embarking on a World Tour of Burn the Floor that included Broadway and Australia. Emma has been...
Read more about Strictly pro-dancers: 2013 line-up revealed
Monday 24 December 2012, 14:07
Deck the halls with glitterballs as we do Christmas Strictly-style; our Christmas Day special is a festive extravaganza featuring JLS star JB, actress Shelia Hancock, comedian Bobby Ball, Blue Peter presenter Helen Skelton, footballer Fabrice Muamba and comedienne Katy Brand.
As an extra special treat we are bringing back an all-star cast group performance with Kelly Brook, Rachel Stevens, Tom Chambers, Chris Hollins, Chelsee Healey, Colin Jackson, Russell Grant, Ann Widdecombe, and the first Strictly champion Natasha Kaplinski.
Merry Christmas!
JB and Ola
Helen and Artem
Katy and Anton
Aliona and Fabrice
Shelia and Ian
Bobby and Katya
Saturday 22 December 2012, 22:02
He may have missed out on a gold medal in the Olympics, but gymnast Louis Smith has seized the coverted Glitterball Trophy, becoming the 10th celebrity to win Strictly Come Dancing, alongside partner Flavia Cacace.
After showcasing his considerable gymnastic skills in a thrilling showdance routine Louis triumphed in a Grand Final that was almost too close to call. Find out what the winning couple had to say as online reporter Nikki Dean chats to them in an exclusive interview.
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Follow Louis' progress throughout the series here.
Saturday 22 December 2012, 17:45
The stage is set, the Glitterball trophy has been polished and four nervous celebrities await their fate (see how they are coping in our exclusive backstage gallery). In one of the most hotly contested Grand Final's in Strictly history one of our celebrities will be taking the coveted Strictly trophy home. Is it too close to call? Let us know who your winner of the series has been and stay Strictlyside as we bring you exclusive backstage pictures and reactions from our couples...
Dani and Vincent are the first couple voted out of the competition.
"I'm so happy we have got 40. We've...
Saturday 22 December 2012, 14:34
It’s finally the day of the Grand Final! After three months of sweat, blood and sequins, our 14 couples have become four but only one couple will be taking the Glitterball trophy home with them tonight. Who will it be? Has pop princess Kimberley Walsh scored highly with you? Or will Dani Harmer dance her way to victory? Will Denise climb back up the Judges leaderboard? Or will the only man in the group, Louis Smith finally take home the gold? It’s all to play for tonight and we here at Strictly HQ are as excited as ever!
Stay right here as we'll be updating this blog with exclusive, first...
Friday 21 December 2012, 14:03
It's the final training for our final four for our Grand Final. Our couples are fighting for the chance to lift that glitter ball trophy with training for not one, not two but three dances on Saturday.
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So this is how it works this Saturday, in our main show at 6.30pm each couple will perform their show dance and the judges favourite routine. At 8.50pm in our Results show, the couple with the least amount of votes will leave. The remaining three will dance once more time, performing their favourite dance before the...
Wednesday 19 December 2012, 14:27
Despite many different theories to the origins of the Foxtrot, many believe it came from Vaudeville Actor Henry Fox in the summer of 1914.
While appearing in New York shows with Yansci Dolly of the famous Dolly Sisters in the act of Hammerstein's, Henry involved trotting steps to ragtime music that members of the audience would then go away and imitate, reffering to the dance as "Fox's Trot."
Here's Karen and Ian to explain a little more about the Foxtrot (and see if you can include the grizzly bear in your Christmas Party dance):
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As the Latin dance styles began to hit the scene in the 1930s the...
Tuesday 18 December 2012, 20:03
We caught up with Dave, singer Andrea and 'man-in-the-hat' Trevor and asked YOUR questions. Find out what the trickiest songs are to perform, who they would like to dance with on the show and the secret of Dave's enternal youth...
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Monday 17 December 2012, 12:05
The Viennese Waltz as we know it today is actually the original form of the Waltz!
It's the oldest of all ballroom dances emerging in the second half of the 18th Century influenced by German and Austrian dance styles.
Here's Ian and Karen doing what they do best... teaching us about dance (and chack out Karen's wig height!).
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As you heard, the Viennese Waltz was quite the scandalous dance style when it first emerged. Not only were ankles visible from the ladies but both men and women were in hold! Gasp!
However it later gained acceptance and even popularity amongst the upper class.
This dance style...
Monday 17 December 2012, 10:37
We've made it! It's the final week at It Takes Two as we get ready for the Strictly Come Dancing 2012 finale. Who will be crowned the king and queen of the ballroom? By Sunday morning we'll all know the answer to that very question.
Until then we still have the small matter of a few It Takes Two shows to be delivered straight to your telebox and oh how we've got quite the week planned for you!
If you have any questions or comments for our fantastic four you can leave them below. Make sure you include your name and where you come from and we might just include it in the show.
Here's the line up for this week:
Monday
Lisa and Robin
Denise and James
Tuesday
Louis and Flavia
Wednesday
Dani and Vincent
Thursday
Kimberley and Pasha
Friday
The Friday Panel of course - and this week it's a mighty special one! Stay tuned for more information
Remember we're on BBC Two every evening from 6.30pm.
See you then!
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