BBC/Keiron McCarronAJ Odudu and Kai Widdrington dancing a Tango earlier in the series
Those romance rumours surrounding Strictly Come Dancing favourites AJ Odudu and Kai Widdrington definitely aren’t going anywhere – with the TV presenter giving a cryptic response when asked about the speculation once again.
AJ told PA Media: “I find it exciting that everyone’s interested in us enough to take note of all of these things.
“The way I see it is, everyone can see how well we’re getting on and how hard we’re working in order to try our best each and every week to put in a solid performance.”
After being asked outright whether there was any truth to the rumours, she responded: “Well, one thing that is definitely for sure is, we are doing a lot of dancing.”
Ray Burmiston/BBCKai Widdrington and AJ Odudu
With the single stars repeatedly being asked about reports they’re more than just dance partners in interviews, even Claudia Winkleman got in on the fun during last week’s Halloween special, urging them to kiss live on air.
“It’s all just a bit of fun, isn’t it?” AJ told PA of the continued rumours. “I mean, at the end of the day, me and Kai are just focused on the Strictly experience as a whole, and we’re just focused on dancing and putting our best performance forward each and every week.
“So none of that stuff bogs us down at all. We don’t have time to be pressed to be totally honest with you. And Claudia is so lovely, and is so kind to us each and every week, so it’s all fun and games.”
Saturday night’s live show saw AJ and Kai topping the leaderboard for the second time, with a near-perfect score of 39 points.
BBC/Guy LevyAJ and Kai’s Charleston stole the show on Saturday night
The 61-year-old head judge said viewers had helped her discover “concerning” symptoms in her body.
After seeking medical advice, Shirley said that doctors had discovered her hormone levels are “not right” and she needs some scans.
“All in all a little concerning for my doctor,” she said, adding that she had made a hospital appointment.
She wrote on Instagram that her doctor was “making an appointment to check certain odd things happening in my body”.
“To each and every one of you who started me on this road thank you so much,” she began. “I’ll keep you all updated. Remember health is wealth so I’ll be on top of these issues for the time being. With gratitude to you all.”
In an accompanying video message, the former ballroom champion – who had surgery to have breast implants removed in 2019 – said tests had shown her testosterone levels to be “ultra-high”, her oestrogen levels “extremely low”, and that she needs scans on her adrenal glands and ovaries.
Fellow judge Motsi Mabuse was among those to send messages of support, writing, “take care of yourself”, while Tess Daly said she was “sending love”.
Olympian Adam Peaty, who is competing in the current series, added: “Sending all my love and positive energy.”
Eric McCandless via Getty ImagesJoJo Siwa and Jenna Johnson perform a jazz routine on Dancing with the Stars
On nearly every level, a dance performance featuring the evil clown from Stephen King’s It and one of his child victims set to the tune of a Broadway score shouldn’t work.
And yet, here’s JoJo Siwa in full Pennywise drag delivering an absolutely deranged and downright genius performance to the tune of Cole Porter’s Anything Goes on the US version of Strictly Come Dancing on Monday night.
Fully understanding the assignment of Horror Night for Dancing With The Stars’ series’ Halloween episode, the Dance Moms alum performed a jazz routine alongside pro Jenna Johnson – dressed in a children’s rain costume with a big red balloon, naturally – to a creepy remix of the song by District 78 featuring Patrice Covington.
Despite her relentlessly positive demeanour off the dance floor, JoJo managed to capture exactly what makes Stephen King’s creation so menacing. Keeping low to the ground and bouncing on one leg at a time, she tapped into her inner Pennywise, all while showcasing her well-established killer dance skills.
The performance ended with JoJo grabbing Jenna by the throat, ripping off her fake hand and then chomping on it, as the song came to a close with a blood-curdling scream.
The judges uniformly lavished praise upon the star, who for the second week in a row earned a perfect score.
“It. Is. Terrifying. And absolutely brilliant. You turned a nightmare into a work of art,“ remarked Bruno Tonioli. “The quality of your dances — the thing you did in there, combining jazz, ballet, contemporary, acrobatics. I’m telling you, you are a terrific talent.”
Carrie Ann Inaba said: “What I loved about this performance is you pushed yourself further,” while Len Goodman added:“If ever a dance captured the flavour of a book, that was it.”
JoJo, who’s made history on the series as the first contestant to be paired with a same-sex partner, is now the clear front-runner to win the Mirrorball Trophy.
Her performance also stirred up plenty of reactions on social media, with fans watching along and celebrating the delightfully unhinged dance.
JoJo Siwa is currently dancing to ‘Anything Goes’ while dressed as Pennywise from ‘It’ … THIS IS CAMP!! #DWTS
Jojo Siwa is finally giving the gay and clown communities the mainstream representation they deserve, which is very exciting for me, because I am both gay and a clown. https://t.co/s6xIhyKBSt
Jojo Siwa is taking advantage of the #DWTS platform to change her public image and broaden her appeal better than anyone has in a long time. She is a Performer with a capital P. https://t.co/sMgiXf8ZqF
Johannes admitted that he’s been avoiding social media since he and John began competing as Strictly’s first ever male pairing, but took a moment to thank those who’d shared their “love and support” in the last few weeks.
“I’ve been avoiding Twitter because it can be brutal, BUT there’s been more love and support than ignorance and stupidity, hence I want to say thank you to everyone who gets it,” he wrote on Tuesday night.
“We will continue showing up and thank you for your lovely messages/comments.”
The dancer signed off the message: “Love Jo.”
I’ve been avoiding Twitter because it can be brutal, BUT there’s been more love and support than ignorance and stupidity, hence I want to say thank you to everyone who gets it…We will continue showing up and thank you for your lovely messages/comments. Love Jo. X
The pair received a near-perfect score of 39 for their Pirates Of The Caribbean-inspired Paso Doble routine, which marked the first time this particular dance had been performed by a same-sex couple on Strictly.
BBC/Guy LevyJohn and Johannes paid tribute to Pirates Of The Caribbean on Saturday night
On dancing with a man on TV, Johannes previously told Steph McGovern: “I’ve been championing this all my life… the fact the moment is here now… It’s been lovely.
“I saw Nicola [Adams] and Katya [Jones] do it last year and was like ‘yay’, so when it came round I knew I would love to be a part of it. So when John said, ‘I want to do this’… and proudly so, I was like, ‘this is my guy. It has to be him, it has to be me and him’.”
On Sunday evening, the BBC confirmed that Tom and his professional partner Amy Dowden had tested positive for coronavirus and would need to self-isolate.
Because of this, they will not be appearing in the second of this year’s live shows, but will be allowed to return to Strictly the following week.
Following the news, Amy shared a post on her Instagram page, assuring her followers that she was not experiencing Covid symptoms.
Guy Levy/BBCAmy Dowden and Tom Fletcher on the Strictly dance floor
“Unfortunately Tom and I have tested positive for Covid-19. I’m not suffering any symptoms but am now isolating at home,” she wrote.
“I have no doubt that over the next 10 days my mind will be going crazy with choreography ideas ready to get back on the Strictly dance floor for the live show in week three!
“Thank you for all of the support and good luck to all of the couples this week. I will be cheering you all on!”
Clearly keeping his spirits up, Tom – who had been on tour with his band McFly until he tested positive for Covid – then commented: “Rest up partner. We’ve got to pull something special out of the bag for week 3.”
A BBC spokesperson said: “Tom Fletcher and Amy Dowden have tested positive for Covid-19. The pair are now self-isolating separately following the latest government guidelines.
“While they will both miss Saturday’s live show, Strictly Come Dancing protocols mean that all being well, they will return the following week.”
Tom and Amy were the first of this year’s Strictly couples to perform on Saturday night, earning 21 points from the judges for their Cha Cha Cha routine.
Strictly Come Dancing returns on Saturday night at 6.45pm on BBC One.
Strictly Come Dancing fans were loving the fact that a certain A-list celebrity could be seen in the studio audience during Saturday night’s show.
Dame Emma Thompson was among the Strictly audience during the first live show of the series, showing her support for her husband Greg Wise, who is among the 15 stars competing in the BBC dance show this year.
After Greg and his partner Karen Hauer’s first dance of the competition, Claudia Winkleman pointed out that “your wife and daughter are in the audience”.
The cameras then cut to Emma and the couple’s 21-year-old daughter Gaia, with the Cruella star jokingly mouthing: “She’s the wife, I’m the daughter.”
It wasn’t just during Greg’s time on camera that Emma could be spotted enjoying a night out in the Strictly studio, though.
Because of her eye-catching pink jacket (and the fact she was seated directly behind Craig Revel Horwood for most of the night), the much-loved star could be seen throughout the episode, and Strictly viewers were absolutely loving it:
Emma Thompson mouthing that she’s the daughter, and the daughter is the wife is the reason we love her, right?! #Strictly
Something absolutely wonderful about the fact Oscar winner Emma Thompson is currently sitting only a matter of metres away from Zainab Masood from Eastenders. #Strictly
Although he was about to sign up for a lucrative film contract, it was chatting to Emma that convinced him to say yes to Strictly, with the star of Sense & Sensibility and The Crown coming in joint fourth place for his first routine of the series.
David M. Benett via Getty ImagesGreg Wise and Emma Thompson
The Great British Bake Off winner and his professional partner are the first pairing made up of two male dancers to ever compete in the long-running BBC series.
During Saturday night’s live show, they delivered their first routine of the new season, performing an intense Tango to Blue Monday by New Order.
The two took to the floor in matching black tuxedos, and won over the judges, who gave them an impressive 30 points of a possible 40.
BBC/Guy LevyJohannes Radebe and John Whaite on the Strictly dance floor
John and Johannes’ score put them in joint second place on the leaderboard on the night, alongside Olympian Adam Peaty and his partner Katya Jones.
The pair also received glowing reviews from those watching along on social media:
Just stunning, chills
Obviously very glad and grateful this has happened now, but think of all the dances like this we’ve missed over the years, the show didn’t implode, hellfire did not rain down, it really was that simple https://t.co/E4fnYUGx0l
don’t mean to be dramatic but seeing john and johannes on strictly! is just! i remember watching it every year as a child never thinking i’d be allowed to join in because i’d want to dance with a man and to see this!!!! over the moon tbh #Strictly
In 2004, at the age of 14, I felt oddly represented by Julian Clary being openly out on strictly. Tonight I hope that same feeling is with someone else that age or younger and is more than heightened watching John & Johannes ❤️🧡💛💚💙💜🤎🖤 #Strictly#SCDpic.twitter.com/7NnJXwbG2j
The message John and Johannes are sending out to the world, the example they are setting, is so much bigger than #Strictly What they’re doing for the queer youth watching at home, particularly queer youth of colour, is just phenomenal. I’m just beaming 🥺🥰
Loved it! Johannes is 🔥 and so lovely to see the other celebrities being so supportive of the first male same-sex pairing with a standing ovation. Representation on prime time matters still. #Strictly
John and Johannes also got the seal of approval from celebrities including Steps singer Ian “H” Watkins, who previously competed as part of Dancing On Ice’s first ever same-sex partnership.
The two landed not just the highest score of the night for their Jive routine, but the highest score for any week one performance since 2005.
At the end of Saturday night’s show, there was no public vote, with all 15 of the celebrities making it through to next week, after which viewers will help determine the two stars who end up in the first dance-off of the series.
Find out how the cast gets on when Strictly returns to our screens on Saturday night at 6.45pm.
While Dan said that a CT scan confirmed he was OK, he has been instructed to rest for a couple of days, meaning he risks falling behind his fellow Strictly competitors as they prepare for the first live show next Saturday.
Sharing photos on himself in hospital, Dan wrote on Instagram: “Bit of head-based drama today! After whacking my noggin on the big glass window yesterday I got sent to A & E today because I was feeling a little wobbly.
“A lovely nurse at Barnet Hospital called Karina checked my vitals and 6ft 9 Consultant Erik Witt gave me a CT scan to check for a bleed on the brain. Thankfully… all ok.”
He continued: “I’ve got to rest for a couple of days – so I’ll be a bit behind – but ready to dig in again next week.”
Dan also paid tribute to his as-yet-unannounced Strictly dance partner, revealing she “waited for hours in the car park to make sure I was ok”.
“Whatever happens on the telly… she has a friend for life,” he added.
Filming on this year’s pre-recorded Strictly launch show was completed last week, with the episode set to air on Saturday night.
It will see all 15 of this year’s celebrities find out who their dance partner is, while they will also perform in their first group number.
Strictly Come Dancing airs on Saturday at 7.45pm on BBC One.
Within minutes of his dancefloor debut, fans of ITV daytime show Judge Rinder got to see a whole new side of its star Robert Rinder when he appeared on Strictly Come Dancing back in 2016.
When taking to the floor with partner Oksana Platero for the first time, not only were viewers impressed with his surprisingly good moves, but he instantly had them talking when he revealed the rippling six pack he’d been hiding under his court robes all that time.
However, it turns out his first dance wasn’t originally meant to play out like that at all.
“It was a bit of a wardrobe malfunction, actually,” he says of his robe-ripping moment. “I wasn’t supposed to do that. They were supposed to sew me in, but I hadn’t spent all that time…
“I was up for a bit of fun. It was joyous,” he laughs.
BBCRobert served up a memorable moment when he tore off his court robes during his first routine
That was just one of the many fabulous memories TV’s favourite legal eagle shared with us to celebrate the return of Strictly to our screens for HuffPost UK’s new interview series Back To The Ballroom.
Each week throughout the BBC show’s 19th season, a Strictly All Star will be dishing on their dance floor experience, as we take a peek behind the show’s sequinned curtain.
First up, Judge Rinder reveals his ballroom bromance and shares why Strictly made him tell his first ever lie on TV.
Strictly changed some people’s perceptions of me
“Often people would come up tentatively in a mildly-intimidated, apprehensive way for a selfie thinking if they got it wrong thought they would end up in prison. But now they see that I’m capable of escapist, glittery joy, they see that I’m more gentle and inclusive.
“You get immersed in this overwhelming good will – people want to talk to you and always ask about dancing. And what a nice thing.”
The most surprising thing about Strictly was…
“How completely involved you become. You become so swept up in it.
“I used to work on cases that had real international consequence or cases involving issues of life and death from time to time, and if you told me 10 years ago that I would feel the same degree of intensity about not being able to get my jazz step in…
“It also has the power to feel really inauthentic. It’s the only time on television that I have ever said anything that I didn’t believe to be true. On the first day, I was so overwhelmed by it all and I was looking down the barrel lens of a glittery camera with this woman saying things that I was repeating back at her – which I would never normally do – saying that all I’ve wanted to do in my whole entire life is to get to Blackpool! Who says that?!”
Dave J Hogan via Getty ImagesJudge Robert Rinder took part in the 2016 series of Strictly Come Dancing
But Blackpool was everything I hoped it would be and then some
“It also had the best party ever, ever.
“There was this hotel that is in the middle of a rollercoaster of some description and there was Rick Astley leading a conga singing Never Gonna Give You Up, doing karaoke to his own tune whilst I was delightedly drunk. It was glorious.”
I was mindful I was having a different experience from a number of the women on the show
“What I realised was something that was an important personal moment for me, is that the women on the show – all of the speculation, all of the noise – was on them. Were they having sex with their partner? What were they wearing? Commenting on their bodies in a wholly different way. They were forced into being infinitely more mindful and circumspect about the things that they said.
“Whereas if you were a bloke, you can say, ‘Yeah I want to win etc’, and you realise – at least back then in 2016 – the way in which the media, and especially social media, has a different standard towards the genders.”
BBCThe class of Strictly 2016
I know Russian, so I thought I’d be able to speak Russian with my partner
“Only Oksana didn’t want to talk it because she was worried the BBC would translate all the nasty words I was saying, especially the swearing.
“On the first day, I drove from Elstree to Islington past Highgate cemetery, and said, right this is my moment, because you know who is buried there? Karl Marx. So she looked at me and said, ‘He is a singer?’ That was the end of our discussion. I had thought at least if I’m shit at [dancing], we can discuss Pushkin, Dostoyevsky and it will be heaven. But not a fucking bit of it.
“Oksana was amazing. She was very dance focussed, but she didn’t find my humour as funny as I did. When I dropped her on her head, in that very British way, I said: ‘Don’t worry dear, you only need to count to eight.’ She wasn’t in the least bit amused by it… No, she loved me!”
BBCRobert with his dance partner Oksana Platero
If I could have danced with any other pro, it would have been…
“Oti Mabuse, girl wise. She and I kept a friendship going, in fact we had dinner not long ago. She’s just unbelievably creative. The quality of her artistry and the depth and range of her personality, and also her intelligence. People will be aware that she speaks three or four languages, she has a degree in chemical engineering, she’s just an extraordinary person. And she’s gorgeous. She’s brilliant, joyous and sort of like happiness in woman form.
“Boy wise, I also would have danced with Giovanni Pernice. Not because of the look actually, but he had the type of personality I could put up with, like a slightly angry Tigger. Or Kevin [Clifton], because he is a master choreographer.”
I made friendships that have lasted
“I love Greg Rutherford and still speak to him all the time, we had this bromance. And Will Young, the three of us are still friends. We’ve really kept up.
“Louise Redknapp and I are still super close. It’s been five years and we’ve made that friendship last. In fact, I’m going to do dance fitness today with Daisy Lowe.”
Peter Byrne – PA Images via Getty ImagesRobert with Greg Rutherford ahead of the Blackpool special
The biggest life lesson Strictly taught me is…
“We talk about the noise of people being in the moment, but remember this is a gift of an experience.
“Because of all the stress around it – and it is nerve wracking and they deliberately make it so on your behalf (‘How does it feel to go out in front of 10m people?’, ‘Splendid, now piss off’) – it’s difficult to delight in it because you’re so terrified.
“I’m thinking about it now and watching it back, which I have only done a couple of times, and I don’t remember being there at all, which is a pity.”
My favourite ever Strictly routines are…
Early days, Jill Halfpenny and Darren Bennett – if you watch their Jive to I’m Still Standing, she was so good, it still stands up.
In our series, Louise and Kevin’s Argentine Tango, which obviously I watched by the sides and was like ‘wow!’. Just the quality of the choreography was extraordinary. It was musical and beautiful, and I love that.
The celebrity I most want to see do Strictly is…
“My naughty side thinks about politicians I especially want to shame, but let’s not do that…
“Oh, Chris Moyles! He’d be marvellous. Also he’d really care about winning. We’ve been out for dinner a couple of times and he really does make me laugh a lot.
“If the headline of this whole article was ‘Rob Rinder says Chris Moyles should do Strictly’, I would be thrilled.”
John Phillips via Getty ImagesChris Moyles is Robert’s dream Strictly contestant
The strangest place I’ve busted out my Strictly moves is…
“I was teaching my friend Jilly the cha cha in a car park to the outdoor swimming pool lido in Gospel Oak the other day. The learning to dance doesn’t leave you!”
My advice for this year’s contestants is…
“If you go and delight in the moment and go and have the best fucking time you possibly can, it’s 90 seconds and no-one died. If you look like you’re having a good time and you mean it with all the enthusiasm you can conceivably muster, it rubs off.
“Conversely, if you look like you don’t acknowledge and recognise the privilege it is to be there – it’s free dance lessons! – then the public won’t respond to you and you won’t enjoy it. When else do you get free dance lessons? Heaven!”
This interview has been edited for clarity and length.
