Strictly stars on sexy costumes, the Strictly curse and feeling ‘overwhelmed’

Emma SaundersCulture reporterPA MediaDyer notes that is “one of many greatest present’s I’ve performed since Love Island” in 2018It’s that point once more. The nights are drawing in, the tans are fading and all of us want a little bit of sparkle in our lives as we head into autumn.By no means concern, Strictly Come Dancing is again with its twenty third sequence, with 15 new contestants able to mud off their dancing sneakers.Following final yr’s controversies regarding the behaviour of some skilled dancers, plus a just lately launched investigation into alleged drug use by two of the present’s stars and an unnamed star being arrested on suspicion of rape, BBC bosses will probably be eager for followers and media to return to speaking in regards to the present itself.With that in thoughts, the press gathered for an annual occasion which provides journalists an opportunity to talk to all of the contestants forward of the present launch (effectively, nearly all, extra on that later).Here is all of the behind-the-scenes gossip we came upon from the likes of Dani Dyer, Vicky Pattison and Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink.This yr’s Strictly contestants are glammed up and able to goOn being ‘Strictified’One of many massive points of interest for many celeb contestants on the present is the possibility to glam as much as the max each Saturday night time.Former Love Island star Dani Dyer says she’s sport for any dance costume.”I can not wait to be a bit horny, I have been a mum… my oldest is 4… am I horny?,” she giggles.”On Love Island I by no means wore the thong bikinis and now I am like ‘Why did not I try this?”Dani in a carnival thong quantity for the samba? You heard it right here first.La Voix says: “The principle cause we’re doing that is it is like a free bootcamp!”La Voix, who competed within the 2024 sequence of RuPaul’s Drag Race UK, arrives on the press occasion in full make-up with trademark coiffured hair-do. How on earth are you able to “Strictify” a drag performer?”I could be the one one which clothes down on a stay present! I would like the complete Strictly expertise. They are going to take it to the following stage. They’ve already – I have been fortunate sufficient to have seen my first gown.”The glamour is fantastic, I really feel like I am residing my dream. I do not need to do the dancing, simply the dressing up bit!”Preserving management of the nervesVicky Pattison first discovered fame on actuality present Geordie ShoreFormer Geordie Shore star and podcast host Vicky Pattison has at all times been very open about her struggles with anxiousness, just lately revealing on her podcast Get A Grip that she had gone again to remedy to cope with Strictly nerves.”Everybody’s dealing with me with child gloves for the time being, I hold getting a great deal of cuddles off everybody.”I am scared, a bit of bit overwhelmed. I believe it is as a result of I’ve wished to do that present for thus lengthy, I am a giant fan. I am determined to profit from it… however I am apprehensive I will get in my very own head.”However assist from the likes of former contestants Pete Wicks and her podcast co-host Angela Scanlon helps. “With Pete, our careers, there’s lots of parallels, we each come from actuality TV and there is this frequent false impression that we’re not very gifted or able to something. I would like to alter that narrative. Pete simply stated be your self.”I simply must get a deal with on myself and put my massive lady pants on. I will kick myself if I am in my very own head the entire time and I do not take pleasure in it. I believe I am placing lots of stress on myself.”Social media star George Clarke says the nerves have not hit him – but.”I do not actually get nervous till it is nearly to occur, which is good, till it is nearly to occur! Good build-up after which a breakdown within the dressing room!”Mannequin, actress and influencer Ellie Goldstein says she’s “excited and nervous however nerves are good. I am so aggressive, I need to win!”And Dani’s well-known dad Danny Dyer will probably be cheering her on. “Dad is so excited for me, he loves the present. He got here to assist when Rose Ayling Ellis (his on-screen daughter in EastEnders) was doing it and it was emotional then. He loves a dance himself. I ought to get him up!”The Strictly cursePA MediaJimmy Floyd Hasselbaink performed for groups equivalent to Chelsea and Leeds and the Netherlands nationwide group and has managed golf equipment together with QPR and Northampton TownNone of the contestants appeared bothered in regards to the so-called Strictly curse, which refers to a number of former contestants who have been already in relationships and ended up discovering romance with fellow individuals.In truth, La Voix jokes: “Carry it on, I am single!”Dyer factors to the very fact she’s solely simply acquired married earlier this yr (to West Ham footballer Jarrod Bowen), so has no issues.ER and Physician Who actress Alex Kingston quips: “I am on the age the place I haven’t got to fret about that!” Come on Alex, 62 is nothing lately.Former footballer and supervisor Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink says his spouse will not be bothered within the slightest.”Take him, take the previous fart, take him!”Thomas is a no-showPA MediaThomas first discovered fame on actuality present The ApprenticeDoes earlier dance expertise actually assist?Gladiator and former athlete Harry Aikines-Aryeetey took half within the final Strictly Christmas particular and says it has helped a bit.”I do know what to anticipate with the viewers… it was a little bit of a taster run.”Former Lioness and soccer pundit Karen Carney says she “danced a bit of as a child however I liked soccer so was at all times going to decide on that. [There’s] a lot of transferable abilities, quick toes… hopefully! However I’ve acquired to do it in heels!”Alex says she’s had no dance coaching however notes: “I used to go clubbing within the 90s! I used to go to a salsa membership… I’ve not been in contact with these folks since… all these women are actually popping out of the woodwork [on social media] saying ‘Go for it Alex!'”Dani provides: “This is among the greatest reveals I’ve performed since Love Island. In Love Island, you are clearly so protected with different folks. That was seven years in the past and for me, that is huge. I am simply going to fake it isn’t stay!”Jimmy does have gifted daughters who dance, together with one who performed the youthful Tina Turner within the West Finish.”However I do not need extra trainers as they might severely boss me round!”Neighbours star Steffan Dennis reveals his spouse was knowledgeable dancer and has given him just a few ideas.”She taught me ceilidh dances for our marriage ceremony. She did give me some primary stuff, shoulders down!”Former England rugby union captain, Chris Robshaw, has no dance expertise however says getting used to the highlight needs to be a bonus.”As an ex-sportsman, that is what you miss whenever you retire – you miss the stay buzz, you miss the stay event. You do not miss the precise sport, you miss the thrill, the joy, and in addition the concern.”Hip-hop or hip op?Ross King is swapping sunny Los Angeles for a London autumnEmmerdale actor Lewis Cope was drafted in on the final minute after Sport of Thrones star Kristian Nairn needed to sadly pull out resulting from medical causes.”It occurred inside 24 hours. I do not assume I actually had time to consider it!”I used to be in a hip-hop dance group for a few years, ” he explains earlier than Ross King, LA correspondent for ITV’s Good Morning Britain and Lorraine, quips: “I’ve had a hip op, not hip hop!”Scotsman Ross says he loves being again within the UK however jokes: “I like LA and I will be going again, possibly sooner reasonably than later!”Lewis is wanting ahead to studying one thing new. “As you are getting older, you do not are inclined to be taught new abilities,” he says. I ask him how previous he’s. “30.” Positively historical!’The true me’BBC/Jack Barnes/Kieron McCarronBalvinder (proper) says she would not at all times elevate her eyebrows so usually in actual life!Cleaning soap stars are notably vulnerable to being confused with their on-screen characters, with viewers used to seeing their TV personas a number of occasions per week.With traces typically blurred, EastEnders actress Balvinder Sopal, who performs notorious Suki Kaur Panesar (now Unwin), says: “This can be a likelihood to point out who we’re at coronary heart, notably with EastEnders… folks assume you might be that particular person and also you reply to each state of affairs with a lifted eyebrow and a snarl and that is not the case!”Neighbours star Stefan Dennis, who performed villain Paul Robinson for 40 years on and off, concurs.Requested what could be essentially the most stunning factor for viewers when watching him on Strictly, he says: “Most likely me not being an [expletive]. The one which they know me essentially the most for is somebody who’s not very good [Paul Robinson]. That is not why I am doing it however I am hoping they get to see the actual Stefan Dennis and never the character.”