accessibility text only version
Banner

New issue
on sale now...

005_dancetoday_may12

 





 

 

 

Inside this month:

Havana Rumba!
Nicola Rayner hears from Toby Gough and Eric Turro Martinez about a Cuban dance show soon to open on London’s South Bank

Wah! Wah! Girls
East End meets Bollywood in Wah! Wah! Girls, a brand new musical that opens on May 24 at London’s Peacock Theatre. Carole Edrich meets the creative team

Making a stand
Alison Gallagher-Hughes takes a look back at a different kind of Blackpool Dance Festival where ballroom is big business

And much more!

Banner

"Strictly" legends:

Written by  Marianka Swain. Photograph © BBC
Monday, 14 November 2011

Dance Today's "Strictly" blogger, Marianka Swain, remembers her favourite "Strictly" partnerships...

As promised, I've been compiling a list of my all-time "Strictly" legends. Whether good, bad or downright Crazytown, these 20 pairings have, in my opinion, defined the show, and with Russell cementing his place in this illustrious company, now seems like the perfect time to unveil it. So, without further ado, here they are!

1) Jill Halfpenny and Darren Bennett One word: jive 

2) Darren Gough and Lilia Kopylova Blokes can dance. All it takes is a teacher who knows how to get the best out of their student (Aliona: take note)

3) Mark Ramprakash and Karen Hardy Hot, hot, hot. Their salsa and breakthrough Argentine tango are among my favourite dances in "Strictly" history

4) Fiona Phillips and Brendan Cole Well, someone has to be the benchmark of sheer eye-watering awfulness, right?

5) Russell Grant and Flavia Cacace Putting the show in showbusiness – without sacrificing the dancing

6) Colin Jackson and Erin Boag Oh, Colin. If only Dollgate had not befallen you

7) Widdy and Anton Du Beke Flying. Titanic. And, most memorably, perfect panto chemistry with Craig

8) Natasha Kaplinsky and Brendan Cole The original "journey", the original showmance and the original deserving champions

9) Gethin Jones and Camilla Dallerup I still think he was robbed. STILL. Injustice never dies

10) Austin Healey and Erin Boag Also robbed! Well, based on earlier performances at any rate – see topless paso

11) Alesha Dixon and Matthew Cutler Ah, those halcyon days when Alesha was a lovable contestant with a Muttley laugh...before she started grappling with big words and clunking clichés on the judging panel

12) Cherie Lunghi and James Jordan The welcome surprise of Series 6, flying the flag for mature women, especially in that exquisite rumba, and – finally! – putting James in his place

13) Kara Tointon and Artem Chigvintsev Yes, she was good from the start, but her blossoming relationship with her partner (nudge, nudge) made this a beautiful "J word" to watch

14) Christopher Parker and Hanna Karttunen The original People's Choice contestant set up the all-important dynamic of public vs judges (though unfortunately scared off Hanna for good)

15) Rachael Stevens and Vincent Simone Yes, she wasn't exactly Miss Personality, but there's no arguing with her sensational ability 

16) John Sergeant and Kristina Rihanoff Would he really have won? We'll never know. But we'll always have the paso

17) Ricky Whittle/Scott Maslen and Natalie Lowe Two outstanding male celebs, both within agonising touching distance of the glitterball. Nat's time will come...

18) Denise Lewis/Zoe Ball and Ian Waite Sadly, Ian's probably won't, though he did brilliantly with these two Amazonians

19) Pamela Stevens and James Jordan Producing one of my all-time favourite Claudia moments – howling with laughter over the "almost fall"

20) Chris Hollins and Ola Jordan Worthy winners? Debatable. But boy could they swim on dry land

Shortlisted: Emma Bunton and Darren Bennett, Ali Bastian and Brian Fortuna, Julian Clary and Erin Boag, Gavin Henson and Katya Virshilas, Tom Chambers and Camilla Dallerup, Matt diAngelo and Flavia Cacace, Kelly Brook (what might have been?) and Brendan Cole

Do you agree with my choices? Who else would you like to see immortalised? Do add your suggestions in the comments below!

Rate this
(4 votes)

6 comments

  • Comment Link Peach   Thursday, 17 November 2011 23:53 posted by Peach

    Ballroom Bill! How could you miss him from the list? The ultimate people's champion! Quickstep - jumping over a box. And that Cha Cha with the hat swapping :) And then there was "What the world needs now" - the waltz on the week when he left where him and Karen ended sitting on the steps. There was something so endearing about him and Karen.. I've been a fan of BBC Breakfast ever since! :)

  • Comment Link Stijn de Jong Thursday, 17 November 2011 17:51 posted by Stijn de Jong

    I remember Chris and Ola as the couple that peaked at exactly the right time: in the final. They were never quite the best during the entire competition but they nailed it on the night.

  • Comment Link marianka Wednesday, 16 November 2011 11:01 posted by marianka

    I feel like Tess has actually joined us on this illustrious site. In which case...see fashion tips in the blog section.

  • Comment Link Vikki Jane Wednesday, 16 November 2011 10:24 posted by Vikki Jane

    Yes, Karen did spend a lot of time weeping but that's sort of why I fell in love with her ... and then there was FOOTGATE, OH MY LORD FOOTGATE. Series 3 was a massive let down after they got voted out ... And their Rumba, where it was all rather lovely until Bill just casually grabbed her arse ... we all weeped.

    Yes, it was Garraway gate. If only we knew that she was positively the Joanna Leunis of Anton's partners over the coming years. Most upset when the Logan left, the woman cartwheeled into the splits for goodness sake or as Tess puts it "SHE'S A MOOMEH AN' SHE CAN DOE THE SPLUTS!" *breathes*

  • Comment Link marianka Monday, 14 November 2011 20:53 posted by marianka

    Ah yes, Bill - he was fab. Mind you, my abiding memory of that partnership was Karen weeping every few seconds. Poor Gabby - she was ousted during Garrawaygate, yes?

  • Comment Link Vikki Jane Monday, 14 November 2011 19:47 posted by Vikki Jane

    You so knew this was coming but ... WHAT OF BILL AND KAREN FOR THE LOVE OF SEQUINS?! The original "middle aged man on a journey" candidate.

    Although to be fair I agree with most of your choice. Glad to La Kaplinsky in there. Often forgotten these days.

    Honourable mentions I also feel should go to Quentin Willson and Hazel Newberry for safely the worst dance ever.Their Cha Cha scored 8 points.

    The original SHOCK exit for the CRIME of being too competitive, the lovely Gabby Logan and James Jordan.

    And an award for the most forgettable couple ever, perhaps? I've given it a thought and I think it's between Jaye Jacobs and Andrew Cuerden and Mark Foster and Hayley Holt. Let the tumbleweed roll.

Leave a comment

Make sure you enter the (*) required information where indicated.
Basic HTML code is allowed.

Store - books, dvds, subscriptions, study aids