Dance Proms 2014 - Royal Albert Hall

Tickets are now on sale for Dance Proms 2014 at the Royal Albert Hall.

Taking place on Sunday, November 2nd at 6.30pm, this international celebration of dance, dancers and dance teachers will feature selected performances chosen by an esteemed panel of professionals.

Now in its fourth year, the Proms showcases original choreographed pieces from dance troupes and teachers from all over the world. It's a unique and exciting collaboration between three of the world's premier dance examination boards and the prestigious Royal Albert Hall, and began as an on-line virtual dance festival. Find out more about the creation of their legacy here.

Patrons for 2014 include such luminaries as Arlene Philips, Wayne Sleep, Angela Rippon and Matt Flint, with Strictly Come Dancing judges Darcey Bussell and Len Goodman, professional Anton du Beke and former contestants Lisa Riley and Chris Hollins, the Series 7 champion.

To book tickets, visit the Royal Albert Hall website.

Live: Strictly Come Dancing On Ice

Tickets for the sparkly seventh Strictly Come Dancing Tour 2014 have gone on sale.

Choreographed once again by Craig Revel-Horwood and featuring him, Len and Bruno on the judging panel, some our favourite competitors will complete for the chance to lift the arena glitter ball.

This season's cast is yet to be confirmed but this is immaterial - if you have not been to the live Strictly show before ... what have you been doing with your life?! Click here for the official BBC Live site, to book tickets and to sign up for the newsletter. And GO!

Whilst there is still mixed info coming out about the possibility of another series on TV, former Olympic champ and Dancing on Ice head judge, Robin Cousins, has decided to keep doing what he does best in the meantime, taking a new show on the road.

Robin is bringing world class skaters together for a spectacular show, touring at the beginning of 2014. With a soundtrack of original music and reworked classics, the show, called simply ICE, promises a unique, dynamic and atmospheric world where the performers will fly, glide, soar and flip. See the official website for more details and to book.

Are we just a teensy bit spoilt, or what?

Strictly Come Dancing: Night of the Living Sportstars

Yes, tonight was the night our three sporting superstars finally came to life. Ok, Louis was almost there but I needed more expression and the tango to Rihanna's Disturbia brought out the best in him. Great routine, plenty of movement, nifty footwork and character, I loved it. Great storytelling and a top score of 35 (three 9s) saw Flouvia at the top of the board.

Close behind, another excellent tango but this one from Brendleton, to Billy Idol's White Wedding, easily Victoria's best. Great performance and technicality - she spotted properly and only one tiny little moment. As Bruno put it: "Haunting beauty with a hint of madness". Very strong, Brendan must be thrilled! 31 put them equal second on the leader board, with our third, previously struggling cricketer, Michael. A brilliant quickstep, lots of movement, light footwork, bright and lively - Bravo! He's definitely a ballroom boy - Michalie's top score and let's hope they and Brendleton can build on these massive confidence boosting routines.

Non sporty peeps, Robisa, were also my favourites of the night, with a smashing charleston - who cares about the swivel? I enjoyed every second - her timing and musicality is so good and they're so much fun.

Cha Cha wise, Vani's Scooby Dooby Doo song seemed rather slow, although the routine was actually fast - and a cameo from Anton. Bruno said Vincent looked like Denise Welch, which thankfully didn't distract from the overall performance. Loved the attitude and theatrical performance from Jamise to Superfreak "Kinky and slinky" - Bruno. Alas, Sola, considering they had one of the best Halloween themed songs ever, failed to really ignite - Sid seems so worried. He needs to let go and recapture that joy he began with.

Kisha and Richin with a couple of decent, traditional Paso Dobles - Richard with good characterization, just needing a bit more drive to match the Omen/Old Spice music (O Fortuna from Carmina Burana in real life) and Kimberley impressive with strong shaping, attack and intent and a great story to Hungry Like The Wolf.

Kicky was given a Bruno "rooster with a booster" comment to their nice traditional tango, with a few original touches, while Arfer got the seemingly obligatory Queen song (which did for Katya and Dan in the Hollywood show last year)  this one, Killer Queen for their American Smooth and it did need a bit more attack but was very well danced. Colina and a Stevie Wonder special 'Superstition' which was always going to be a popular song choice for me, but not a salsa, sadly. Too funky and not Latin enough so I found this a little disjointed in places. Which frustrates me because I so want them to do well. Very groovy, lots of lifts - but I'm sensing they're not getting much basic training time in.

Loving the mass Gangnam Style at the beginning, they managed to make it seem completely impromptu!

Scoreboard: Flouvia 35 = 12; Brendleton 31 = 11; Michalie 31 = 11; Kisha 31 = 11; Jamise 28 = 10; Vani 27 = 9; Robisa 26 = 8; Kicky 26 = 8; Colina 24 = 7; Richin 22 = 6; Arfer 21 = 5; Sola 17 = 4

No point worrying tonight - somebody popular with both judges and public is going to go from now on in! See all the dances again on the official BBC website while you await the results :)

Results are in!


But first up, a fab gothic Toxic routine from the Pro dancers, and get Claudia – how nice to not see her in her oversized bin liner and in a wonderful lacy leggings-come-dress! I want one.

Safe: Flouvia; Brendleton; Kisha; Robisa; Michalie – whoop, all my faves this week safely through!
Dance off: Sola

Len’s Lens: Craig, Darcey and Bruno doing Thriller; Len singing along to Robisa; Lisa’s pure joy in the dance; Darcey’s reaction to Louis. Again! Richard’s Paso face; Bruno’s reaction to Michalie – to the audience – what’s happening?! Bruce and Tess, going for it, Gangnam Style!

Safe: Richin; Vani; Jamise; Kicky; Arfer. The relief of Fern, although “In a way ... I have got a big pile of ironing” (Clauds offered!)

It’s Colina versus Sola!
Both nervy and make mistakes, Colina particularly, but it’s Sid and Ola who lose out - although their overall performance was better than first time around -  when Craig, Darcey and Bruno all vote to save Colina. Len pointed out Colin’s mistakes and would have saved Sola.

Sayonara Sola, see you on the ITT sofa on Monday.

Snippets: Strictly Russell the Wizard; Brucie at the NTA's;

Flamboyant Strictly Come Dancing star, Russell Grant will be replacing Michael Crawford in The Wizard of Oz, after his run in the reality dance show brought him back to the attention of West End agents.

The Andrew Lloyd Webber production, choreographed by Arlene Phillips, will see Russell will take over the role of Professor Marvel/The Wizard from Phantom of the Opera star Michael.

Sophie Evans is now playing the lead role of Dorothy. She was runner up to winner Danielle Hope, in the search for Dorothy show, Over the Rainbow, who began the show's run at the London Palladium.

The National Television Awards is on ITV tonight at 7.30pm, with The Sun reporting that Sir Brucie is flying in specially from Puerto Rico to perform 'Let There Be Love' - with Ant and Dec!

Dancing on Ice Twist!

The promised twist alluded to by Philip has been announced - a series of head to head performances will take place on Sunday, with the judges choosing which of each pairing will be safe from elimination!

The producers have matched the contestants with their nearest competitors from Movie Week's leaderboard - which means Jorgatt versus Mattina! I don't envy the judges on that one!

At the bottom end, it's Cookey versus Semmy, which, if they play to Chemmy's strengths this week, should see her through without much trouble. Elsewhere though, it's closer than close, with Romark versus Vindy, Dannifer against Sebianne and Andi taking on Mattene. Toughie.

In other news, Alesha is her normal down to earth self on the red carpet and Ola talks about life as she knows it.

Sad news for the Strictly family

The close knit family that is Strictly Come Dancing is in mourning, with the loss of their founding producer, Richard Hopkins, who succumbed to cancer at just 47 years old this weekend.

Richard was responsible for reviving the show, which had ceased being produced as Come Dancing in 1998, with the new format featuring celebrities going live in 2004. He leaves a wife and three daughters.

On a happier note, Jason Donovan is back in the recording studio, while Robin Cousins will step into the dainty shoes of the Teen Angel in the touring stage production of Grease.

Snippets: Ladies Who Lunge

Kirsty Swain, the partially deaf dancer who took part in Series 2 of So you Think You Can Dance, is one of the first people in the UK to use a newly designed water and shock proof hearing aid.

The Siemens Aquaris is the first instrument Kirsty has found that doesn't slip or move when she's dancing, meaning she can hear the music properly now, instead of relying on sound vibration or copying fellow dancers.

NO WAY! You have got to love those quotes ... Nancy, Nancy, who does your PR? They're brilliant! And little Chelsee, love her loads but really, no. Channelling positive thoughts to the BBC: *KarenHardy*KarenHardy*KarenHardy*KarenHardy* Seriously, an actual proper dance judge; a former professional winner on the show; the Queen of ITT Choreography; World Champion dancer; already in situ - why would they even begin to look elsewhere?

And depending on which paper you read, Christine Bleakley was a hit .. or a miss ... with Dancing on Ice fans! I just don't get the bitchiness towards presenters just doing a job, I really don't! Tess, and even Claudia, get stick too. Christine did as well as any other professional presenter would have done: she's warm, she didn't muck up - what is the problem with some people? There seems to be a section of our society that take to disliking people they don't even know with such venom, I find it so strange. There are those I don't admire, who I wouldn't switch the telly on to watch, but I don't feel the need to criticise every little thing about them in newspaper comment boxes or forums. Rant over. Off to get a life ...

Strictly Come Dancing Goes Virtual Reality!

Strictly Come Dancing has signed a deal with the virtual reality website, Stardoll, aimed at its teenage girl market.

The site allows users to design their own 'medolls' which they can dress in the finest of sequinned and bejewelled frocks as they participate in their very own version of the show and engage with a like minded community.

Simon Hutson of BBC Worldwide said: "Attracting new audiences as well as building strong relationships with some of the show's most passionate young fans in new and engaging ways marks a very exciting move for the Strictly brand.

"This digital world allows fans to experience the glamour of the ballroom before, during and after the show's transmission, and ensures they have their own way of interacting with the show in an environment they already socialise in."

Do you remember those paper doll books you used to get, where you cut out the paper doll figure and the paper clothes, hooking them on with little paper tabs - I guess this is the version for the 21st century! Until I found they're still going strong, if you know where to look!

picture via I Love Mel

Snippets: So You Think You Can Dance; National Television Awards

Nigel Lythgoe has confirmed on Twitter that the new US series will not have a separate results show like before - let's hope this doesn't signal the beginning of the end of the series in the US. I still can't believe they axed it here, there's definitely an audience for it, even if not on prime time Beeb 1 on a Saturday.

The National Television Awards shortlist has been released and it's the usual suspects against each other for  Best Talent Show: Strictly Come Dancing; X-Factor; Dancing on Ice; Britain's Got Talent. It's a no-brainer this year isn't it - got to be Strictly?

Snippets: SCD, SYTYCD, DOI, Cee Lo Green

Firstly, especially for anyone in the North Kent area - Pasha Kovalev and Katya Virshilas will be appearing at the Central Theatre, Chatham, on April 1st. No, I kid you not. I've got my tickets - funnily enough I checked out their itinerary before and there was no mention - I found it by accident from my job as local news hound! In Dancing on Ice, Heidi Range's partner, Sylvain Longchambon, has sadly been injured and will miss the first few weeks. Heidi will skate with a replacement - no news on who that might be yet. The incomparably fabulous choreography team of NappyTabs are now aptly expecting a little nappy wearer, Tweeting the news over Christmas that Tabitha is pregnant! Congratulations to them both - and now I've changed the template on this blog, expect to see more Showtime vids which I'm sure will be featuring plenty of their work. And judge from the American version of The Voice, Cee Lo Green, is apparently going to have a British based reality show, about his critically acclaimed band, Goodie Mob, recording their reunion album in London where they will "soak up the local customs" - will we see them as Pearly Kings, scoffing pie and mash? Might be worth a butchers ...

Snippets: SCD, DWTS, SYTYCD, Glee

Lots today, the media are gearing up for the usual frenzy of who might be on Strictly Come Dancing this year - Gary Lineker and wife Danielle Bux, maybe Posh Spice Victoria Beckham - ought to go for David, since he's not playing footie now - and Amy Winehouse. They're also after Bill Clinton's daughter and/or mistress, Monica Lewinsky, Kimberley Walsh, Patsy Kensit and Lembit Opik! (This is The Sun I'm quoting, btw) Then, further down the article, they impart the news that it's only a twelve week run! So less couples overall then - back down to fourteen? If they do the double dance weekends like last year, which proved so popular, with all couples doing a ballroom and a Latin before elimination, fourteen fits the equation for a three couple final (assuming they PUT THE CONTINGENCY PLAN IN PLACE: ARE YOU LISTENING, POWERS THAT BE???) And also that at least three shows will come from Blackpool's Tower Ballroom, with more floorspace allowing more fans in to the show. And then it goes on to say how crap the line up was last year - they still don't get it, do they, that actually, we don't care, we'd watch it anyway- the so-called "big names" won't get through because they're a big name - they have to engage us and a brekkie show host did that better than anyone last year.

James Jordan agrees with me about the furore over Arlene's departure, while Ian Waite says it is time for revamp; Kristina talks fashion.

Rumours abound that Pineapple Dance's Louis Spence will take over from Cisco Gomez on the So You Think You Can Dance panel.

An interview with Harry Shum Jr, Glee's amazing streetdancer, Mike Chang.

And finally - Trav's Thought's are in on the Dancing With The Stars Semi Final, show here, results here. I have to agree with Len on Erin and Mak's Paso, a bit funky for me! Very entertaining though. Stunning choreography in Derek and Nicole's Argentine Tango, I particularly loved the final lift. I don't know why they bother with a chair for Bruno, lol! Len sums up Evan and Anna's Paso; their foxtrot is a joy, I dare you not to smile all through it.

'Dance Yourself Fit' Interview with Ian Waite

A nice in-depth article with Ian Waite in the Mirror, on the benefits of dance in respect of fitness.

Snippets: DWTS, SCD, Politics?

A couple of brilliant snippets of Brian Fortuna and Derek Hough dancing (Not with each other, I hasten to add) Apparently it's Kym Johnson with Derek, possibly Julianne Hough with Brian. If you know for sure who the female dancers are, please leave a comment!

Brendan Cole interview with STV. He's half Scottish, don'tchaknow!

And a very interesting article on how dance is sneaking it's way onto the political agenda.

Gossip wise, Christine Bleakley is being touted as Tess' replacement on Strictly Come Dancing. But since Tess is signed to present series 8, it's going to be at least 15 months away and it's paper talk at the moment, so don't get too excited just yet. In fact, I'm wondering why I bothered to mention it at all really ...

Snippets: DOI, SCD

Strictly Come Dancing's Brian Fortuna and Ali Bastian are set to star in the West End production of Burn the Floor; Hayley Tamaddon has been blogging about the Dancing on Ice live tour.

Gossip, unsubstantiated gossip. But you'd want to know!

Strictly Come Dancing bosses are apparently looking to dump Anton, Darren and Lilia, replacing them with American dancers - I fail to see how that would make the show more popular, bearing in mind that they're three of the most popular professionals amongst the message boarders, but what do I know. It won't make a jot of difference to avid viewers like my mum, who just watch the show for what it is, with who's in it making no difference at all.

On the other side though, rumours are that Jason Gardiner has been dumped from Dancing on Ice in favour of Pineapple Dance Studio's Louis Spence, so "yippee". The hundreds of complaints followed Jason's "faecal" remarks to Sharron Davies, plus his inappropriate Twitter comments, seem to have finally been recognised by ITV bosses as not being funny, big or clever and that they harmed the warm fuzziness of the show. I just hope Louis won't feel the need to fill the panto villain role and will just use his experience constructively.

Snippets: Nigel and Len

The Examiner has turned their spotlight onto Len Goodman!

Nigel Lythgoe has tweeted Rule Change Number 2 for So You Think You Can Dance. Maybe he read yesterday's post, I dunno - but the partnerships will change every week! Which seemed logical, since there'll be an odd number every other week. I'm excited again already and this is for the American show; we have to wait another ten months!

Snippets: SYTYCD, DOI, SCD, DWTS,

Nigel Lythgoe is announcing changes to the format of So You Think You Can Dance this week - via Twitter! The new series in American will start soon, but presumably any tweak in the format will have a bearing on the next series over here, so I'll keep an eye on that! The first change is that only one dancer will be eliminated each week instead of a boy and a girl - so how that will work with regard to partnerships we can only wait and see. Hoping that we'll have a Top 20, it'd be good to see them mixed up every week - keep an eye on @dizzyfeet.

A nice exit interview with Mattiella, with Daniella promising to keep skating with Matt.

Ray Quinn is appearing in Grimsby in aid of the Big Red Heart Appeal, so get along there to support if you can.

*STOP PRESS* Major news story breaking - the ice dance finalists are wearing sparkly undergarments ... and sadly, Gary is the only one saying he won't give us a flash. Not fair, Mr. Lucy! Meanwhile, Kieron, bless him, is having a go back at Jason for calling him and Gary "pillocks". I might vote for the boys just to hack him off.

An Examiner spotlight article on the one and only *adopts Italian accent* Bruno Tonioli *waves arms around madly*

And finally, the April edition of Dancing in the UK is out now!

Snippets:SCD, Sport Relief, DOI,

A behind the scenes look at the Dragons in the Strictly den for Sport Relief ...it's dated the 14th and says we'll see the result tonight - but they'll surely be showing it on Friday? I hope so, or I've missed it!

Is she, isn't she: Sharon Osbourne says Kelly has been signed up for the next Strictly Come Dancing, but Kelly says she hasn't. I personally don't believe she could be, having come third in Dancing With The Stars, it would be very unfair to the other contestants.

A majorly lengthy interview with the Dancing on Ice Judges; Robin, you tigerrrrr ...

Sound advice from Alesha.

Snippets: SCD, Showtime, Street Dance

Darren and Lilia are touring in a show named 'Latin Fever', which I think was a show they were performing in London last year. Will hopefully find the full intintery soon and let you know exactly when and where.

Anton is back recovering at home after being rushed to hospital on Friday, after collapsing at home.

And a real labour of love here - 35 top dance sequences in dance films and 10 random dance sequences in non-dance films! The Gene Kelly on skates from 2:18 is amazing! I may have to start compiling my own, there are tons more to choose from!

Sugar Free, another dance troupe we saw in Britain's Got Talent last year, are joining Diversity on their tour.

Snippets: DOI, SCD

Dancing on Ice judge Robin Cousins is joining the cast of Grease, in the role of Teen Angel!

A reminder of the Strictly Professional Tour Dates, I think the London date has been added. A South East date would be much appreciated!

Alesha has been confirmed as a judge for the next series of Strictly Come Dancing.

Dancing in the UK magazine March issue is out online.

A press release from Blue Eyed Books, sampling a few choice dancing quotes, plenty of time to get your orders in for Christmas!