Strictly so long for Ola and James Jordan as they bid farewell to their ballroom friends at cast Christmas party

Enjoy the tour! Strictly so long for Ola and James Jordan as they bid farewell to their ballroom friends at cast Christmas party

By Georgina Littlejohn

Last updated at 3:39 PM on 20th December 2011


They were unceremoniously dropped from next year's Strictly Come Dancing UK tour after being told they 'wouldn't be needed'.

But even though Ola and James Jordan are still very party of the ballroom dancing show family, last night gave them the opportunity to wish their friends a Merry Christmas - and the best of luck on the tour.

The couple were one of many guests at the 'Post-Strictly/Pre-Midnight Tango Party' thrown by dancers Vincent Simone and Flavia Cacace at the One for One nightclub in Mayfair, central London.

Loved - but no wanted: Strictly Come Dancing professionals Ola and James Jordan arrive at a party held by fellow dancers Vincent Simone and Flavia Cacace where they wished them good luck on the upcoming show tour

Celebrity dancers from past and the most recent show were there as they toasted Christmas with a few drinks - and no doubt a boogie or two.

But the party also gave Ola and James the chance to say goodbye to their friends before they all head off on the Strictly tour next month.

Ola, 29, and James, 33, who have been married for eight years, were told last week that they would not be joining the tour, which kicks off in Birmingham on January 20.

The hosts: Dance partners Flavia Cacace and Vincent Simone held the party for their Strictly friends at a nightclub in Mayfair

James took to his Twitter page last Tuesday to tell fans he had received an email from tour bosses telling him and his Polish wife that they had been dropped.

He wrote: 'Myself and Ola will definitely NOT be doing the Strictly Tour! Just received an E-MAIL to say we are not needed!!'

According to sources, the reason they were not included in the 2012 tour is down to James and his behaviour behind the scenes.

I'm so proud of her: Queen's Brian May arrived with his wife Anita Dobson, who was partnered with Robin Windsor on this year's show

Say cheese! Brian took his camera out to snap some photos of his own

They said his bust-ups with show judge and tour director Craig Revel Horwood were the real reason the husband and wife team were left out.

One said: 'James's behaviour this year has been getting worse and worse. He has been throwing strops on live television and his behaviour has really annoyed show chiefs.

'This decision certainly came as a surprise to the Jordans - but bosses have thought James in particular needed a reality check for a long time.'

Glamorous: One of this year's contestants Nancy Dell'Olio and former celebrity dancer Louisa Lytton also attended

She's back! Former judge Arlene Phillips was also at the bash looking very seasonal in her animal print trim coat and chic black dress

A spokesperson for the Strictly Come Dancing Live Tour said: 'Unfortunately, with 14 celebrities and 14 professional dancers in the Strictly Come Dancing television show it is simply not possible to take everyone on tour.

'The celebrity line up for the Strictly Come Dancing Live Tour is not confirmed until quite late, largely due to the busy schedules of the celebrities and their existing commitments.

'Once the celebrity line up is confirmed, the tour is able to confirm the professional dancers accompanying them on the tour.

In the party mood: Dancer Robin Windsor and former celebrity contestant from last year, actor Jimi Mistry

Good friends: Vincent and Robin greet each other with a hug and a smile for the cameras

'Since the first tour in 2008 there have been changes to the line up of professional dancers and, on this occasion, Ola and James are not in the professional line up.'

Also attending last night's party were a mixture of professional dancers and celebrities from the last and past series.

Nancy Dell'Olio was there looking her usual glamorous self as well as former contestant and EastEnders star Louisa Lytton.

Anita Dobson, who was paired with Robin Windsor this year, who also showed up, arrived with her rock star husband Brian May, and former judge Arlene Phillips was also on the guest list.

Sexy: Ola in a her slinky catsuit dancing with celebrity partner, retired tennis player and TV presenter Andrew Castle

Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/tvshowbiz/article-2076493/Strictly-Come-Dancing-tour-2012-So-long-Ola-James-Jordan.html#ixzz1h5eI3hqK

The best Strictly ever, no contest: CLAUDIA CONNELL gives her view from the sofa

By Claudia Connell

Last updated at 12:11 AM on 19th December 2011


Fourteen weeks ago, Strictly promised the best series ever. Nobody took much notice at the time because, let’s be honest, they say that every year.

This time, though, it was actually true and Strictly Come Dancing 2011 was, hands down, the best in the show’s nine-year history.

So you can forgive the BBC for throwing what must have been the entire year’s light entertainment budget at Saturday’s grand final in Blackpool.

Winners: Harry Judd and dance partner Aliona Vilani contributed to the best Strictly yet

The spectacular opening sequence had a gladiators theme with the three finalists entering the arena in chariots.

I’m not sure the film Gladiator would have taken £300million at the box office if Russell Crowe had settled his scores with a samba rather than a sword. And Anton Du Beke didn’t make a terribly convincing Roman swordsman – more Minimus than Maximus – but it was camp drama all the same, and set the tone brilliantly.

Proceedings kicked off with the celebrities dancing the judge’s favourites from the series. Harry Judd was up first with his quickstep which earned him the perfect score of 40 and much leering over by Bruno Tonioli, who flirted shamelessly with the young pop star – despite his girlfriend sitting in the front row.

Much has been made this series of Tess Daly’s questionable fashion sense.

Top marks: Chelsee Healey was a worthy runner-up in this year's dance-fest

Every week she lures me into a false sense of security when, at the beginning of the show, shot from the waist up her outfit looks rather fetching and stylish. Only when the camera pans down to reveal the number in full length is the horrible truth realised.

And so it was on Saturday night. I ohhed and ahhed at her strapless silver sequin frock – then grimaced in horror as what looked like nicotine-stained net curtains attached to the hem came into view.

For the second instalment she changed into a black-and-white lace number which looked stunning – until the camera pulled back to reveal a bottom half that could have been designed by Edward Scissorhands.

Jason Donovan followed Harry, with the judges selecting his I Will Survive tango as their favourite dance of the series. Always the contestant who’s taken the show the most seriously, Jason looked worryingly wide-eyed, manic and in danger of spontaneously combusting. Thank heavens he seemed to calm down after the first dance.

Sadly, nerves appeared to have got the better of him and, unlike Harry, he probably danced the routine better the first time around. Even I noticed that his bottom was sticking out like a baboon so it was no surprise he lost marks.

Chelsee Healey’s first dance was her amazing Shrek-themed Jive which was as frenzied, fun and bouncy as ever – I only hope it wasn’t too traumatising for 3D viewers. Next came the show dances which, just like the swingathon, often fail to live up to the hype. Harry’s rock ’n’ roll routine featured more lifts than Tom Cruise’s shoes with poor Aliona spending more time in the air than on the ground.

The consensus in my living room – as well as on internet forums – is that Chelsee’s show dance was daring but very messy looking.

With so many adventurous lifts thrown in, it was just as well she’s incapable of falling flat on her face.

Attention: Nancy Dell'Olio arrived for the after-show party in a dramatic red PVC dress and said guests, 'acted as if she were the real winner'

In the end it was Jason who delivered the best show dance of the evening.

It was predictable, but still rather a shame, that he was the first to be voted off, leaving just Chelsee and Harry in the running for glitterball glory.

For a moment it felt like watching some modern-day version of Pygmalion – Harry with his cut-glass public schoolboy accent alongside little Chelsee with an accent so broad that a few subtitles wouldn’t have gone amiss.

Chelsee gave us a beautifully sensuous rumba before repeating her air-hostess quickstep routine but didn’t manage to clock up a 40 for either of them despite ‘giving it all what I’ve got to give’.

Harry gave us a seriously smooth American smooth followed by the Argentine tango, about which Craig Revel Horwood had previously said: ‘It was filth and I loved it.’

Steamy and seductive as ever, it earned Harry a mark of 40 and possibly a couple of phone numbers from a drooling Bruno and Craig.

Earlier in the evening former contenders performed. Nancy Dell’Olio, true to form, flashed her knickers and clomped around like a lame carthorse one more time.

Robbie gave us a couple of crotch thrusts while Edwina and Russell, who looked like they’d been entering the same pie-eating contests in recent weeks, huffed and puffed their way through the routine.

When Harry was named the winner it wasn’t much of a surprise as he outperformed Chelsee in all four dances. She may have lost the trophy but, over the past three months, she won millions of hearts and I can’t imagine she’ll be too disappointed.

So, it’s all over for another year. As the sequins are put away and the lid goes back on the fake tan, 11million of us will be left idly twiddling our thumbs every Saturday night between now and next September.

Questionable: Tess Daly, pictured right with winners Harry and Aliona centre, and co-host Bruce Forsyth left, was the subject of much discussion with regards to her fashion choices

Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/tvshowbiz/article-2075905/Strictly-Come-Dancing-2011-best-contest-CLAUDIA-CONNELL-gives-view-sofa.html#ixzz1gwmdi6GP

Chelsee Healey scores a perfect 10 in a backless dress at Strictly Come Dancing after-party

Chelsee Healey scores a perfect 10 in a backless dress while Nancy Dell'Olio and Alesha Dixon get it wrong at Strictly Come Dancing after-party

By Daily Mail Reporter

Last updated at 2:05 PM on 18th December 2011

She may have come second in Britain's best-loved dancing competition.

But Chelsee Healey was the clear winner in the wardrobe department after channelling some serious old Hollywood glamour for the Strictly Come Dancing after-party in Blackpool.

The Waterloo Road actress looked stunning in a backless, floor-length gown and seriously glamorous up-do.

Glamour: Strictly Come Dancing runner up Chelsee Healey looked stunning in a backless black dress with a splash of green sparkle

Winner: Healey put on a brave face to pose with McFly's Harry Judd, left, who beat her to the Strictly trophy by just three points despite an amazing performance with showstopping outfits, right

Although the 23-year-old's outfit was black, there was a flick of Strictly glamour in the form of a sash adorned with sparkling green sequins, that cascaded down her back.

Healey's eye-makeup was swept up to meet a cluster of sequins glued to her cheekbones while chandelier earrings added extra sparkle to the actress's outfit.

McFly's Harry Judd won the contest by just three points but as usual Healey, who partnered with Pasha Kovalev, was her modest self.

Strictly BFFs: Healey tweeted a picture of her and Strictly judge Alesha Dixon from inside the after-party venue

What will I do now? Healey tweeted her thanks to everyone on the show but lamented its end saying: 'What am I going to do now their (sic) is no strictly'

'I'm really proud of meself,' she said before adding: 'To know people actually like me is really nice.'

Today the runner up took to her Twitter account to thank her fans and confess to not knowing what to do without Strictly.

She wrote: 'Had the best time what am I going to do now their (sic) is no strictly :( sad times xx can't thank ever1 on the show enough costume m.up hair.'

Low score: Ousted Strictly star Nancy Dell'Olio poured herself into yet another rubber dress, this time in red, for the after-party

Hello my daarrrlings: Dell'Olio blows kisses to photographers before manoeuvring herself into the Blackpool venue

While Healey set an example of how to get it right on the red carpet, fellow competitor Nancy Dell'Olio and Strictly judge Alesha Dixon didn't fare quite so well.

Dell'Olio, 50, poured her enviable figure into yet another rubber dress, this time in pillar-box red, while Dixon, 33, also chose a tight number in turquoise.

Italian-American Dell-Olio had earlier been spotted with fellow ousted competitor Holly Valance at Farnborough Airport waiting to board a private jet to the Strictly final this weekend.

Bad judgement: Strictly judge Alesha Dixon followed Dell'olio's lead by wearing a tight, turquoise dress that sagged unflatteringly around her chest. She teamed it with baby pink heels

Purrrfect: Singer Jessie J leaves the Blackpool Tower Ballroom wearing a cat hat after singing at the Strictly final, left, while right, professional dancers Vincent Simone and Flavia Cacace, pose after the show

Dell'Olio seems to favour tight, rubber dresses having worn a similar black one to the Erotica 2011 festival last month and then again at the Kamiliya single launch party, held at Pulbrock & Gould in London earlier this month.

The red number she chose for theStrictly party was corseted at the front and showed off her ample cleavage, while her tiny frame was propped up on towering black Louboutins.

Dell'Olio also wore a disc necklace featuring a pair of puckered lips while her right hand was weighed down by a statement ring that was in danger of taking someone's eye out.

Partners: Last year's winner Kara Tointon looked chic in a teddy-bear fur jacket and skin-tight leggins as she was led by dancing partner and boyfriend Artem Chigvintsev, who this year was partnered with Holly Valance

Ready for a party: Singer Lulu, who blamed 'too tall' dancing partner Brendan Cole for her Strictly exit, arrives for the party, left, while right, Anita Dobson, who went out in week nine, wraps up against the Blackpool chill

They're back: Alex Jones, looks very festive in a red A-line jacket with silver buttons, left, while boxer Audley Harrison, right, kept warm in a long, black fur coat

12M WATCH STRICTLY FINALE

More than 12million viewers watched the Strictly Come Dancing finale last night, figures showed today.
The main programme drew an average 12.2million while the later results show - in which Harry Judd secured victory - was seen by 11.8million.
The figures were down slightly on the previous record-breaking year, when around 13million tuned in to both shows.
However the main show drew a bigger proportion of the TV audience - 48 per cent - than the 2010 equivalent (46 per cent), and they helped BBC1 to draw three times the peak time audience of ITV1, which screened a Harry Potter movie and a Westlife special.

Later the feisty property lawyer was spotted getting close to professional dancer Brendan Cole, while she drank a flute of champagne.

Meanwhile, Dixon also wore a tight, short dress for the after-party.

The sheeny number showed off her perfect pins but had a rather unflattering sag around her chest, like an old vest top.

She teemed the turquoise dress with baby pink platform shoes and dark nail polish.

Dixon was joined by men of the hour Strictly winner Judd and newly-crowned jungle king Dougie Poynter.

Before his winning dance, Judd had said: 'I've been smiling all week. My Strictly experience has been one of the most important experiences of my life - I never thought I'd say that.

'Strictly has been refreshing and I've absolutely loved it. I'm very grateful.'

While bandmate Poynter said: 'It's like being a dad and watching your son play football for the first time. You think, "Oh, that's my boy!"'

Men of the moment: New king of the I'm A Celebrity jungle, McFly's Dougie Poynter, left, celebrates bandmate Judd's Strictly win

Dancing the night away: Astrologer Russell Grant, left, wore a signature waistcoat, this time in midnight blue, while, right, Jason Donovan, looked like he was heading to the gym in tracksuit bottoms and trainers

He and the other members of McFly had stormed the dancefloor moments after hosts Bruce Forsyth and Tess Daly announced the winners names.
Sir Bruce was left chasing the boy band off the floor as they interrupted the Glitterball ceremony in their rush to congratulate the 25-year-old drummer.
All the dancers, including singer Lulu, Anita Dobson, Russell Grant and Jason Donovan were out in force for the after-party after performing a group dance in the live final.
Professional dancer Artem Chigvintsev was also spotted with his girlfriend and last year's Strictly winner Kara Tointon.

Strictly friends? Dell'olio was spotted getting up close and personal with professional dancer Brendan Cole while she sank a flute of champagne at the after-show party

Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/tvshowbiz/article-2075737/Chelsee-Healey-scores-glamorous-10-backless-dress-Nancy-Dellolio-Alesha-Dixon-wrong-Strictly-Come-Dancing-party.html#ixzz1gwbgGKMy

Nancy Dell'Olio and Alex Jones are back for group routine on tonight's Strictly Come Dancing final

Once more with passion! Nancy Dell'Olio and Alex Jones are back for group routine on tonight's Strictly Come Dancing final

By Alanah Eriksen

Last updated at 11:15 AM on 17th December 2011

They all trained so hard in the hope of being crowned this year's king or queen of the dancefloor.

And despite being eliminated over the past few weeks, former Strictly Come Dancing contestants will have been delighted to be asked back to appear in the final - even if its just in a supporting role.

Fiesty property lawyer Nancy Dell'Olio and One Show presenter Alex Jones were among the celebrities pictured training hard yesterday for tonight's anticipated show.

Spin me around: Nancy Dell'Olio and partner Anton du Beke practice for a group dance at Pineapple Studios in Covent Garden, London, ahead of tomorrow's Strictly Come Dancing final

It will be take place at Blackpool's Tower Ballroom.

Nancy was captured being thrown upside down by her partner Anton du Beke in London's Pineapple Studios.


The 50-year-old showed she had retained her dancer figure, moving gracefully in a pair of black leather leggings and towering heels.

They're all back: One Show presenter Alex Jones, Lulu and Nancy bust a move ahead of the big show

Attempting the cannonball again? Rory Bremner and Robbie Savage lift up stargazer Russell Grant during the group practice

Alex went for comfort over glamour in a grey jumper and skinny jeans but still opted for heels in a pair of chic boots.

Viewers will remember when stagazer Russell Grant 'shot' out of a cannonball before being eliminated.

And by the looks of yesterday's practice, he may be pulling a similar move.

Off in her own world: Holly Valance busts a move as Robin Windsor and her partner Artem Chigvintsev pick up Russell

We're in charge: Russell and his partner Flavia Cacace lead the group

Comedian Rory Bremner and footballer Robbie Savage were seen lifting him up into the air.

Recently eliminated Australian singer Holly Valance looked as though she will be bringing the sex factor to the final, as she wiggled her hips while off in a world of her own.

She then snuggled up to her hunky partner Artem Chigvintsev.

Stepping in time: Audley Harrison with his partner Natalie Lowe, Robbie Savage with his partner Ola Jordan and Rory Bremner with his partner Erin Boag

Ready for the big night: Ola and Robbie show the others how its done

They've got chemistry: Holly and Artem show off their saucy moves amid the other dancers

Boxer Audley Harrison may not be quite the twinkle toes but he showed he takes dancing seriously, concentrating hard with partner Natalie Lowe.

There was no sign of the three finalists and their partners - Jason Donovan, Chelsee Healey and Harry Judd.

McFly drummer Harry is this year's favourite to win.

But he isn't counting on it, saying this week: 'Chelsee and Jason are incredible so I will have to keep working hard.

'It will come down to who performs best on the night.'

If Waterloo Road's Chealsee wins, she will be the youngest winner in the show's history, at 23 years-old.

Can you feel the sexual tension? Natalie and Audley pull some interesting faces during the routine

We've got to get it right: Erin and Rory appeared to be concentrating really hard

Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/tvshowbiz/article-2075298/Strictly-Come-Dancing-2011-Nancy-DellOlio-Alex-Jones-final.html#ixzz1gpMbiyXm