Sequins, spray tan, spandex ... Behind the velvet curtain on Strictly

Sunday, October 30, 2011

Sequins, spray tan, spandex ... Behind the velvet curtain on Strictly







By Maureen Paton



Last updated at 8:06 PM on 29th October 2011


Dust off your soft shoes and join YOU behind the scenes at the nation’s favourite primetime dance show, as we catch up with the Strictly Come Dancing contestants backstage




Anton Du Beke with fellow professional dancer Kristina Rihanoff and his celebrity dance partner Nancy Dell'Olio

Anton Du Beke with fellow professional dancer Kristina Rihanoff and his celebrity dance partner Nancy Dell’Olio. ‘I invariably get the celebrities who are never going to be favourites to win,’ says Anton. ‘Kate Garraway, Ann Widdecombe and Nancy Dell’Olio — the strong characters’


Outside the BBC studios in West London, queuing for the best seats has become a British tradition, like Wimbledon

Outside the BBC studios in West London, queuing for the best seats has become a British tradition, like Wimbledon



Actress Chelsee Healey checks her mobiles

Nancy in her curlers


From left: actress Chelsee Healey checks her mobiles; Nancy in her curlers


Actress Anita Dobson and former boxer Audley Harrison try out the judges¿ chairs

Actress Anita Dobson and former boxer Audley Harrison try out the judges’ chairs


Judges Bruno Tonioli, Len Goodman and Craig Revel Horwood show their cuddly side during a break in the BBC courtyard

Judges Bruno Tonioli, Len Goodman and Craig Revel Horwood show their cuddly side during a break in the BBC courtyard



former footballer Robbie Savage and Chelsee compare spray tans

is that excitement or terror on Anita¿s face?


From left: former footballer Robbie Savage and Chelsee compare spray tans; is that excitement or terror on Anita’s face?


The score monitor backstage, where the contestants¿ results are totted up

The score monitor backstage, where the contestants’ results are totted up



'Bruce always looks for the laugh; I'm the timekeeper, with the producers shouting in my earpiece,' says Tess

Lulu in rehearsal


Tess Daly on Sir Bruce Forsyth (left): ‘Bruce always looks for the laugh; I’m the timekeeper, with the producers shouting in my earpiece’; Lulu in rehearsal


Presenter Alex Jones interviews actor and fellow contestant Jason Donovan for The One Show

Presenter Alex Jones interviews actor and fellow contestant Jason Donovan for The One Show. ‘After the camp dancing in Priscilla Queen of the Desert, it’s nice to throw some quieter shapes,’ says Jason



Flavia Cacace coaches astrologer Russell Grant

Flavia Cacace coaches astrologer Russell Grant. ‘Our signs match — she’s Pisces, I’m Aquarius, so it’s destiny that we are dancing together,’ says Russell


Former MP Edwina Currie rests the ankle that she broke in January

Former MP Edwina Currie rests the ankle that she broke in January



McFly drummer Harry Judd tries to commit his steps to memory

Lulu is crimped by hairdresser Kevin Moss


From left: McFly drummer Harry Judd tries to commit his steps to memory; Lulu is crimped by hairdresser Kevin Moss


Robbie and Ola Jordan rehearse

Robbie and Ola Jordan rehearse



Tess Daly in make-up

Ola is primped and preened


From left: Tess Daly in make-up; Ola is primped and preened



actress Holly Valance checks her appearance before the show;

Chelsee gets her make-up refreshed


From left: actress Holly Valance checks her appearance before the show; Chelsee gets her make-up refreshed



Nancy says she usually does her own make-up

Flavia, who is dancing with Russell, has been a runner-up in the past


From left: ‘The make-up people try their best to make all of us beautiful. But I’m quite difficult — because I usually do my own make-up, I know what I want,’ says Nancy; Flavia, who is dancing with Russell, has been a runner-up in the past



YOU goes behind the scenes

YOU goes behind the scenes


Costumes need to be organised



Harry is given a last-minute tutorial from partner Aliona Vilani

impressionist Rory Bremner¿s professional partner Erin Boag


From left: Harry is given a last-minute tutorial from partner Aliona Vilani; impressionist Rory Bremner’s professional partner Erin Boag



Daybreak's Dan Lobb, the second contestant to be voted off, gets buttoned up

a gorgeous-looking Lulu is ready for action


From left: Daybreak’s Dan Lobb, the second contestant to be voted off, gets buttoned up; a gorgeous-looking Lulu is ready for action


Dan does a Brucie chin as he waltzes with Rory

Dan does a Brucie chin as he waltzes with Rory. ‘I call the waltz the Nick Clegg — you look like you are leading, but you’re not,’ quips Rory



Holly's partner, current champion Artem Chigvintsev, in rehearsal

Rory and Erin go through their moves


From left: Holly’s partner, current champion Artem Chigvintsev, in rehearsal; Rory and Erin go through their moves



Holly waits nervously outside Studio 1, where the show is recorded

Robbie works pink to the max


From left: Holly waits nervously outside Studio 1, where the show is recorded; Robbie works pink to the max



Professional dancer James Jordan pumps those guns before performing with Alex

the super-supple Aliona warms up


From left: Professional dancer James Jordan pumps those guns before performing with Alex; the super-supple Aliona warms up





Vincent Simone with Edwina, the first to be voted off

Anita and Erin share a joke


From left: Vincent Simone with Edwina, the first to be voted off; Anita and Erin share a joke



Jason and partner Kristina smile for the cameras

Brendan and Chelsee wait to go on


From left: Jason and partner Kristina smile for the cameras; Brendan and Chelsee wait to go on


YOU brings you more behind the scenes pictures at Strictly Come Dancing
Behind the scenes of Strictly Come Dancing
Behind the scenes of Strictly Come Dancing

Behind the scenes of Strictly Come Dancing
Behind the scenes of Strictly Come Dancing

Behind the scenes of Strictly Come Dancing
Behind the scenes of Strictly Come Dancing


Behind the scenes of Strictly Come Dancing
Behind the scenes of Strictly Come Dancing