Strictly Come Dancing 2023: Snake hips, meditation and fabulous outfits

It may not really feel prefer it, with the recent heatwave throughout a lot of the UK, however – in the event you pay attention very fastidiously – you may hear the rustle of satin and sequins that heralds the arrival of autumn.

Yes, Strictly Come Dancing is again on our screens in a matter of days, with 15 celebrities teaming up with professionals to be taught new strikes, get spray tanned, and hit the dancefloor.

The motion begins on Saturday (16 September) when viewers will uncover who’s dancing with who in the course of the launch present.

But for now, discover out all of the backstage gossip from this yr’s stars – from Adam to Zara – as they took a break from rehearsals to spill the beans.

The Emmerdale star says his youngsters (who’re 9 and 5) are excited and have been instructing him some strikes, however provides: “They know I can not actually dance”.

His actor siblings – twin Scott and brother Ryan – “simply laughed” after they discovered he was on Strictly. But, he notes: “That’s why we’re right here, to be taught to bop. Everybody desires to see the development via the sequence, and I’ll positively give them that.”

He says he is delicate, including: “If Craig [Revel Horwood] says one unhealthy phrase about me, I believe I’d cry.”

But as for who he actually desires to impress? “My spouse, I’m simply making an attempt to impress my spouse.”

Actress Amanda, who’s been in TV sequence together with Sherlock and Mr Selfridge, says participating in Strictly seems like “flying blind”.

“You immediately realise you want a component of bodily health I’ve by no means seen earlier than,” she says. “It’s brutal, nevertheless it’s good.”

On being within the public eye extra due to the present, she says: “You can handle how a lot you wish to give away. Me and my ex-partner [actor Martin Freeman] by no means had our youngsters on present till they have been at an age the place they needed to.

“I believe you may handle it your self, and see how a lot you wish to let individuals in. But this does catapult you which of them I discover actually humorous.”

The former Come Dancing host and Rip-Off Britain presenter turns 79 later this month and is the present’s oldest ever contestant – one thing she says she’s “carrying like a badge of honour”.

“We’re an ageing inhabitants and I believe if we will get the message throughout that dance is nice – even in the event you’re in your 20s and 30s, suppose forward to when you are going to be old – and the variety of individuals now who’re dancing of their 60s and 70s, 80s and their 90s is improbable.”

She provides: “If you need longevity – dance!”

The Irish TV presenter says she’s wanting ahead to dancing the Charleston – however admits there are already some dances she’s dreading. “Anything that entails that stage of bodily… I’m not nice on a trampoline – I’ve acquired an 18-month old.”

As for the Rumba? “I imply, it strikes a little bit of concern in me as a result of it is so gradual,” says Angela, who did Irish dancing as a baby. “From watching it, you aren’t getting away with a lot, I really feel. You cannot dazzle them with a foolish hat.”

As for her daughters, Angela says: “The child has no concept, clearly, however my oldest is 5 and he or she’s very excited.

“We’ve made a field and we will carry home sequins and no matter hangs off the ceiling so she’ll have just a little stash of stuff. Hopefully she’ll be into it.”

The presenter and former tennis participant says she’s doing Strictly for the “joyfulness and studying new steps”.

“I can not do it – however I believe what an incredible alternative,” she says. “It’s like being advised you is perhaps partnering up with Roger Federer, to be partnered up with these wonderful dancers, it is so particular.

“And the music, it is emotional. I believe the actual fact they’ve a reside band there… music evokes goosebumps.”

EastEnders actor and mannequin Bobby – who’s simply gained the rising star award on the National Television Awards – says crucial tip he is been given to date for Strictly is to “eat”.

Asked about being an early favorite this yr, he says: “I believe that is simply because I’m young, they haven’t any motive to suppose that.”

Bobby, the son of presenter Jeff Brazier and the late Big Brother star Jade Goody, says of the judges: “I’m excited to listen to what they should say and take it again to the studio.”

But will he reply again? “It relies upon what frame of mind I’m in,” he admits. “And how a lot sleep I’ve had.”

Stand-up comic Eddie Kadi, who presents BBC Radio 1Xtra’s Official UK Afrobeats Chart Show, says he felt “numb” when he acquired the decision to be on Strictly, including it was “the most effective second ever”.

“Honestly, it was surreal,” he says. “[Former host] Bruce Forsyth was actually my hero. I grew up watching individuals like Forsyth doing his faucet dancing, Ronnie Corbett, all these guys.”

And how concerning the reality fellow contestants have already famous Eddie’s hips? “Being Congolese, we like transferring our hips for no motive,” he says. “So when everybody’s speaking about snaky hips and stuff, you already know what, carry it on. Any alternative, I’m throwing it.”

The Coronation Street actress, who performed Faye Windass, says she was glad to have individuals she knew participating within the present, fellow cleaning soap actors Adam Thomas and Les Dennis. “It was like a pleasant face, and made me really feel just a little bit much less nervous,” she says.

Having left Corrie in March, she’s now able to concentrate on Strictly. “Which is nice for me, so I’ll have the ability to put all my vitality into that.”

But Ellie says she’s frightened about dancing reside each week. “I’m so nervous concerning the reside factor of it,” she admits, “primarily as a result of it is so completely different from something I’ve ever performed earlier than.”

The Paralympian says it is an honour to participate – humbly commenting: “I simply journey a motorcycle, I’ve swum and gained a couple of medals. But to be invited to be one of many celebrities, meaning I should have made it.”

He says it is an important likelihood to assist others with disabilities in sport and in addition desires to “get individuals up off the couch, doing stuff they by no means thought they may do, as a result of they will see anyone doing it with one leg”.

Asked the way it compares to his day job, Jody – who’s represented Great Britain at seven Paralympics, profitable eight golds in swimming and biking – says: “Oh, Strictly is essentially the most nerve-racking of all of them. When it involves the Paralympics, I’ve spent my life coaching.

“With Strictly, I do not know easy methods to dance. Then to know there’s nonetheless many thousands and thousands of individuals watching on TV, and are going to provide me suggestions – that is the following stage of terrifying.”

The Channel 4 newsreader says he is turned down the present “a number of occasions” earlier than.

“I’ve thought – ‘I’m a severe individual and I can not deviate from that’,” he says. “Whereas issues have been so severe for the final couple of years, I believed: ‘You know what? You’ve been silly saying no to this, it is best to go and revel in this and expertise one thing.'”

Guru-Murthy, who has a genetic coronary heart situation, provides: “We solely have one life and you have to grasp the whole lot when it is there. I’ve acquired a few well being points, and I believe if I do not do it now, I may not have the ability to in three or 4 years’ time.”

The West End star is about to be the primary male celeb on Strictly to put on a gown.

He says of the outfits: “As lengthy because it’s fabulous, so long as it is me, so long as it is genuine to what I might characterize. I gown many various methods when I’m Layton, so why would not I try this on Strictly? I wish to characterize me, characterize my group, and go on the market, really feel cute and slay.”

Layton, who’s additionally appeared in TV sequence Bad Education and I Hate Suzie, says he is thrilled along with his dance companion.

“I used to be in awe after we had our little taster day,” he says. “We have been going round and I had a thought who it is perhaps after which it will change each time I switched companion.”

He’s had a profession spanning 5 a long time – taking in appearing, performing in musicals, and presenting basic quiz present Family Fortunes – and now he is prepared the problem of Strictly.

“As actors, you get completely different costumes anyway,” he says. “When I used to be in Hairspray with Michael Ball, I used to be taking part in Wilbur Turnblad who owns a joke store, and you aren’t getting louder than that. So I’m wanting ahead to being Strictly-fied.”

And the sequins too? “Absolutely”, replies Les, including: “To get out on that Strictly stage is iconic – you’re feeling that little tingle – and be sure you do not fall down the steps.”

“I’m excited to enter my 71st yr considering – do one thing exterior of your consolation zone,” he says. “I did not hesitate.”

The former EastEnders actor – seen most just lately on BBC hospital drama Casualty – says of the Strictly expertise: “It’s just a little bit overwhelming. It’s like being fired out of a cannon and also you’re unsure the place you are going to land and hoping it will be safely and someday quickly.”

He says did a diploma in musical theatre when he was 16, however admits “I wasn’t within the prime stream”. He then labored on a cruise ship for six months (“as a dancer, I hasten so as to add – not simply doing the bingo”).

Nigel, who’s additionally skilled as a meditation coach and already has fellow contestants lining up for classes, jokes it could possibly be “essentially the most peaceable present ever”.

“I did just a little bit right now, as a result of I might really feel my coronary heart going. When the Saturday exhibits come and also you’re within the stream of this good present, discovering the time to take for your self, just a little breath right here and there can do wonders.”

The Asian Network Breakfast host says she’s nonetheless going to be doing her morning present after which coaching within the afternoon and night, including: “It can be like double shifting, however I’m up for it.

“I’ll be behind the mic doing my steps – nobody can see me on the radio anyway.”

Asked for her signature dance transfer, she says: “I’m a raver, in order that’s it – one arm within the air. I really feel like if you dance at a membership or a celebration or a marriage, you simply flow, you are not serious about it.

“No one’s judging you, are they? This is so completely different.”

The documentary maker, who was on actuality present Love Island in 2018, says some particular individuals can be within the viewers to look at her.

“My mum and pop are going to be there, each, single week. Probably crying their eyes out,” she smiles.

And requested if identified Strictly fan Queen Camilla will watch, she laughs: “I hope so! That could be wonderful.”

While her profession has modified, she says she’s proud to be the primary individual from Love Island to seem. “I’m happy with myself and the way laborious I’ve labored to alter the notion round actuality TV,” she provides.