Latest news with #TheReturnoftheLegends
Wales Online
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- Wales Online
Pro wants to see an all-stars series of Strictly Come Dancing
Pro wants to see an all-stars series of Strictly Come Dancing The 54-year-old dancer competed on the BBC Saturday night favourite between 2004 and 2010 and thinks that the show could do a series where couples from years gone by return to the dance floor. The seasoned dancer is known for his stint on BBC's Saturday night hit from 2004 to 2010. (Image: BBC) Ian Waite has called for a Strictly Come Dancing all-stars series. The 54-year-old dancer competed on the BBC Saturday night favourite between 2004 and 2010 and thinks that the show could do a series where couples from years gone by return to the dance floor. Speaking exclusively to BANG Showbiz, Ian said: "It's definitely something that they could look into because there's so much nostalgia. "Everybody loves the old pros from Strictly and the nostalgia that goes around it with certain couples, let's say Darren (Bennett) and Jill Halfpenny and me and Zoe Ball, Vincent (Simone) with Rachel Stevens. "There's a lot of couples that could possibly come back and yeah, an all-stars would be a great thing to do I think." Strictly has been rocked by scandals in recent years – including the complaints made by Sherlock actress Amanda Abbington about her professional partner Giovanni Pernice's conduct when she took part in the show in 2023 – but Ian is hopeful that the safeguarding measures introduced by bosses will prevent the same thing from happening again. He said: "This is an isolated case I think. In general the pros are really professional and really hard-working. In my experience, we've all worked really hard, we've all done competitions, we're all at the top of our game and that's why we're on Strictly. "Hopefully the safeguarding is in place now so that that won't happen again and I think that's the best for everybody really because it protects not only the celebrities but it protects the pros - because who's to say we won't be abused." Ian is taking part in The Return of the Legends tour with his fellow former Strictly stars Brendan Cole, James Jordan, Pasha Kovalev and Vincent Simone and has been surprised by the close bond the group have formed despite their competitive natures. Article continues below He said: "That's what's been so great, we've got this really great bromance backstage. "I wasn't really sure whether we'd all be able to bond because we've all done our own shows and been very successful performing in our shows. We weren't sure whether we'd be able to get on but actually it's like a proper bromance backstage and we all love each other. We all appreciate each other. " The Return of the Legends tours nationwide from 5th September until 17th October:
Edinburgh Live
5 days ago
- Entertainment
- Edinburgh Live
Former Strictly pro calls for major shake-up ahead of new series
Our community members are treated to special offers, promotions and adverts from us and our partners. You can check out at any time. More info A former Strictly Come Dancing professional has revealed his enthusiasm for witnessing an all-stars edition of the programme. Ian Waite, who graced the BBC's Saturday night sensation from 2004 to 2010, has floated the idea that a special series featuring fan-favourite pairs who have already appeared on the show could be a major draw for the audience. During an exclusive conversation with BANG Showbiz, Ian opened up about the potential for such a series. He said: "It's definitely something that they could look into because there's so much nostalgia." Ian, who during his tenure on Strictly Come Dancing was paired with well-known figures like Zoe Ball, Denise Lewis and singer Mica Paris, fondly reflected on his previous collaborations. (Image: BBC) He nostalgically recalled his time on the show, commenting: "Everybody loves the old pros from Strictly and the nostalgia that goes around it with certain couples, let's say Darren (Bennett) and Jill Halfpenny and me and Zoe Ball, Vincent (Simone) with Rachel Stevens," reports Wales Online. Convinced that the return of celebrated partnerships would captivate viewers, Ian remarked: "There's a lot of couples that could possibly come back and yeah, an all-stars would be a great thing to do I think." Despite the recent issues that have cast a shadow over the show, including the complaints made by Amanda Abbington about her professional partner Giovanni Pernice in the 2023 season, Ian remains hopeful for the future of Strictly Come Dancing. Giovanni has since left the pro line-up, alongside Graziano Di Prima after a BBC investigation into the show. (Image: Getty) Ian believes that the introduction of new safeguarding measures will help prevent similar incidents. Reflecting on his time on the show, he remarked: "This is an isolated case I think. In general the pros are really professional and really hard-working. In my experience, we've all worked really hard, we've all done competitions, we're all at the top of our game and that's why we're on Strictly. "Hopefully the safeguarding is in place now so that that won't happen again and I think that's the best for everybody really because it protects not only the celebrities but it protects the pros - because who's to say we won't be abused." Ian is currently taking part in The Return of the Legends tour with fellow former Strictly stars Brendan Cole, James Jordan, Pasha Kovalev, and Vincent Simone. (Image: BBC) He has been taken aback by the strong sense of brotherhood they've formed, despite their naturally competitive natures. He shared: "That's what's been so great, we've got this really great bromance backstage. "I wasn't really sure whether we'd all be able to bond because we've all done our own shows and been very successful performing in our shows. "We weren't sure whether we'd be able to get on but actually it's like a proper bromance backstage and we all love each other. We all appreciate each other." The Return of the Legends tour is set to grace the stages of Llandudno's Venue Cymru and Cardiff's New Theatre later this year. Strictly Come Dancing returns to BBC One and iPlayer later this year.
Wales Online
5 days ago
- Entertainment
- Wales Online
Ex-Strictly Come Dancing pro makes huge demand
Ex-Strictly Come Dancing pro makes huge demand Former Strictly dancer Ian Waite believes fans of the show would love an all-stars season of the show The seasoned dancer is known for his stint on BBC's Saturday night hit from 2004 to 2010. (Image: BBC) A former Strictly Come Dancing star has expressed interest in seeing an all-stars season of the show. Ian Waite, the seasoned dancer who is best known for his stint on BBC's Saturday night hit from 2004 to 2010, has suggested that Strictly Come Dancing could entice viewers with a special series featuring returning couples. In an exclusive chat with BANG Showbiz, Ian shared his thoughts. He explained: "It's definitely something that they could look into because there's so much nostalgia." You can read what former Strictly dancer, Vincent Simone thinks about the show here. The dancer was partnered with numerous celebrities including Zoe Ball, Denise Lewis and singer Mica Paris whilst on his six years of Strictly Come Dancing. For the latest TV and showbiz gossip sign up to our newsletter . He reminisced about past partnerships, saying: "Everybody loves the old pros from Strictly and the nostalgia that goes around it with certain couples, let's say Darren (Bennett) and Jill Halfpenny and me and Zoe Ball, Vincent (Simone) with Rachel Stevens." Ian believes that bringing back iconic duos would be a hit. "There's a lot of couples that could possibly come back and yeah, an all-stars would be a great thing to do I think." Despite recent controversies surrounding the show, such as the grievances expressed by Sherlock star Amanda Abbington regarding her professional partner Giovanni Pernice during the 2023 season, Ian remains optimistic about the future. He trusts that new safeguarding measures will mitigate similar issues. Reflecting on his own experiences, he commented, "This is an isolated case I think. In general the pros are really professional and really hard-working. In my experience, we've all worked really hard, we've all done competitions, we're all at the top of our game and that's why we're on Strictly. "Hopefully the safeguarding is in place now so that that won't happen again and I think that's the best for everybody really because it protects not only the celebrities but it protects the pros - because who's to say we won't be abused." Ian is participating in The Return of the Legends tour alongside his former Strictly colleagues Brendan Cole, James Jordan, Pasha Kovalev and Vincent Simone. He has been pleasantly surprised by the strong camaraderie they've developed despite their competitive spirits. He expressed: "That's what's been so great, we've got this really great bromance backstage. "I wasn't really sure whether we'd all be able to bond because we've all done our own shows and been very successful performing in our shows. We weren't sure whether we'd be able to get on but actually it's like a proper bromance backstage and we all love each other. We all appreciate each other. ". The Return of the Legends tour will be heading to Llandudno's Venue Cymru and Cardiff's New Theatre later this year. Article continues below You can find out more about the tour and buy tickets here.
Daily Mirror
5 days ago
- Entertainment
- Daily Mirror
Strictly Come Dancing star makes prediction on BBC show's lifespan after milestone
Strictly Come Dancing star Vincent Simone has made a prediction about the BBC One dance show, which has increased in popularity year on year after its launch in 2006 Vincent Simone expects Strictly Come Dancing to air for at least another decade. The 46-year-old dancer featured on the BBC's Saturday night staple - which celebrated its 20th anniversary last year - between 2006 and 2012 and believes that the programme's immense popularity will see it remain on screens for a long time to come. Vincent exclusively told BANG Showbiz: "I think it will carry on for at least another 10 years. I mean, I don't see why not." It comes after Strictly Come Dancing's Gorka Marquez pulls out of show. "We meet all the Strictly fans who come and see our own shows and they just love it too much. It's the best excuse to get together, families or friends, a bunch of ladies, and they just gossip about the show, they just get entertained from amazing dancing or, you know, fit celebrities. "There is everything in that show and every year you have the variety because you get 16 new celebrities joining the show so it's going to be fresh. You can't say, 'Oh it's always the same thing', yes, they might do the same dances but every person is so individual, especially when they have character and personality. "It's an amazing show. I can't see it ever ending but I will say at least another 10 years just by meeting the fans at the stage door afterwards, they're just obsessed with the show. They will always watch it, no matter what." Vincent felt the time was right to leave Strictly when he announced his departure in 2013 but revealed that he would be open to a return to the programme, particularly after watching his friend Ian Waite thrive on Dancing with the Stars - the Australian version of the show. The Italian star said: "When I left, I thought that was the right time. I was super busy and it go the point where it was seven years in a row, it got to the point where I just needed a change. I did get my change with West End shows and so many other things. "I think now with age, like Ian is taking part in the Australian version. He loves it, he's doing really well. When you watch him dancing with these celebrities on the Australian version you think, 'Oh my gosh'. For me, because he's my friend, but for me he still has it. He could easily be on Strictly the UK version and I like to think that I could do the same because I could bring my personality and my dancing. "So I wouldn't mind that as a challenge at some point.' Vincent will appear with ex-Strictly pros Ian Waite, James Jordan, Brendan Cole and Pasha Kovalev in The Return of the Legends tour this autumn and revealed that the shows will be bigger and better than last year's sell-out tour. He said: "We've got a semi-new show coming up and we're all looking forward to it because obviously it's been nearly a year. It will be nice to be back all together and come out bigger than last year. "We're also gonna have our solos which for me personally are the most special numbers in the show, when each individual couple gets the stage on their own and for me that's just magic. Everybody has the chance to showcase their talent and their own style of dance. I'll be doing my Argentine Tangos, Ian will be doing his beautiful ballroom dances and Pasha, the Latin king, will be doing his Samba numbers and so on."
Wales Online
5 days ago
- Entertainment
- Wales Online
Strictly legend says 'why not?' as he makes bold statement about show's future
Strictly legend says 'why not?' as he makes bold statement about show's future The flagship Saturday night show has been airing on the BBC for 21 years this year Edwina Currie and Vincent Simone (Image: PA) Former Strictly Come Dancing favourite, Vincent Simone says he expects Strictly Come Dancing to air for at least another decade. The 46-year-old dancer featured on the BBC's Saturday night show - which celebrated its 20th anniversary last year - between 2006 and 2012 and believes that the programme's immense popularity will see it remain on screens for a long time to come. Vincent exclusively told BANG Showbiz: "I think it will carry on for at least another 10 years. I mean, I don't see why not. "We meet all the Strictly fans who come and see our own shows and they just love it too much. It's the best excuse to get together, families or friends, a bunch of ladies, and they just gossip about the show, they just get entertained from amazing dancing or, you know, fit celebrities. "There is everything in that show and every year you have the variety because you get 16 new celebrities joining the show so it's going to be fresh. You can't say, 'Oh it's always the same thing', yes, they might do the same dances but every person is so individual, especially when they have character and personality. "It's an amazing show. I can't see it ever ending but I will say at least another 10 years just by meeting the fans at the stage door afterwards, they're just obsessed with the show. They will always watch it, no matter what." Vincent felt the time was right to leave Strictly when he announced his departure in 2013 but revealed that he would be open to a return to the programme, particularly after watching his friend Ian Waite thrive on Dancing with the Stars - the Australian version of the show. Vincent left the show more than a decade ago (Image: UK Press via Getty Images) The Italian star said: "When I left, I thought that was the right time. I was super busy and it go the point where it was seven years in a row, it got to the point where I just needed a change. I did get my change with West End shows and so many other things. "I think now with age, like Ian is taking part in the Australian version. He loves it, he's doing really well. When you watch him dancing with these celebrities on the Australian version you think, 'Oh my gosh'. For me, because he's my friend, but for me he still has it. He could easily be on Strictly the UK version and I like to think that I could do the same because I could bring my personality and my dancing. "So I wouldn't mind that as a challenge at some point.' Vincent will appear with ex-Strictly pros Ian Waite, James Jordan, Brendan Cole and Pasha Kovalev in The Return of the Legends tour this autumn and revealed that the shows will be bigger and better than last year's sell-out tour. He said: "We've got a semi-new show coming up and we're all looking forward to it because obviously it's been nearly a year. It will be nice to be back all together and come out bigger than last year. "We're also gonna have our solos which for me personally are the most special numbers in the show, when each individual couple gets the stage on their own and for me that's just magic. Everybody has the chance to showcase their talent and their own style of dance. I'll be doing my Argentine Tangos, Ian will be doing his beautiful ballroom dances and Pasha, the Latin king, will be doing his Samba numbers and so on." The Return of the Legends tours nationwide from 5th September until 17th October. For the latest TV and showbiz gossip sign up to our newsletter Article continues below
