OHMYGOSSIP — Anton Du Beke thinks it is “wonderful” there is a same-sex pairing on ‘Strictly Come Dancing’ this year, but what really “impresses” him on the show are the “brilliant” Paralympian performers.
The 54-year-old professional dancer has praised the likes of former ‘Strictly’ competitors Will Bayley and Lauren Steadman, as well as one of current crop of stars, TV presenter and former Royal Marine JJ Chalmers – who suffered life-changing injuries following an IED explosion in Afghanistan – for taking part in the Latin and ballroom programme.
Speaking to ‘Dancing on Ice’ co-hosts Phillip Schofield and Holly Willoughby on ‘This Morning’ about Nicola Adams and Katya Jones being in the first-ever same-sex pairing on ‘Strictly’, Anton said: “We’ve got Nicola dancing with Katya this year, and it’s incredible. It’s wonderful.
“And with you guys [‘Dancing on Ice’] last year, the two boys dancing together – fabulous. Any time it’s a first, it’s fabulous.
“But you go to any tea dance up and down the country and you’ll see two ladies dancing together because there’s no fellas.
“Fred Astaire danced with Gene Kelly in the 50s.
“The thing I take my hat off to, and I get impressed about and think is wonderful is JJ this year, and last year Will, and Lauren.
“The Paralympians. They’re the ones that make me go, ‘Brilliant.’ That is special.”
This year’s show has seen ‘Strictly’ pros and their celebrity partners form support bubbles, amid the coronavirus pandemic, with one half of the household living alone and the other half able to remain with their household.
And Phillip admitted ‘Dancing on Ice’ bosses have been keeping an eye on ‘Strictly’ to see how they deal with pandemic rules, ahead of the ice skating show’s return early next year.  
He said: “We’re watching you quite closely to see how you do it. We’ve got ‘Dancing on Ice’ coming up at the other end of Christmas.
“It’s like, ‘Right, what are they doing? How are they doing it?’ ”
Anton – who has been on ‘Strictly’ since it first began in 2004 – said: “When we’re rehearsing it’s only us two anyway.
“On studio day it’s different. You have to take on all the measures in the guidelines and also in the BBC guidelines. They’ve got extra measures, and rightly so.
“There’s no studio audience, which is the big difference, but there is a wonderful atmosphere.
“We’ve got some family members of some of the celebrities in small bubbles and isolating, so there’s enough to make a noise.
“It’s incredible to be able to put the show on, and the same with ‘Dancing on Ice’, everyone at home wants to feel a little bit of old-fashioned normality.”

Source: VacationHunter.Online
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