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Joe Sugg and Kim Winston chat to all the couples of 2021! They also hear from current champ Bill Bailey about how he feels being champ for 91 more days!

2018 Strictly finalist Joe Sugg teams up with producer Kim Winston to bring the fans an Access All Areas backstage pass to the show.

Kim has an encyclopaedic knowledge of Strictly, having worked on the show since 2009, and Joe knows first-hand what all the couples are going through, making them the perfect duo to give the listeners an exclusive insight of what really goes on backstage. In this episode they chat to all the couples of 2021! They also hear from current champ Bill Bailey about how he feels being champ for 91 more days!

The Strictly Come Dancing Official Podcast is made by 成人论坛 Studios and produced by Kim Winston and edited by Jonathan O鈥橲ullivan. Listen now on 成人论坛 Sounds.

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33 minutes

Episode Transcript

Strictly Ep 1 - TRANSCRIPT

成人论坛 Sounds. Music, Radio, Podcasts.

Welcome to the Strictly Come Dancing podcast with your hosts, Joe Sugg and Kim Winston.

[00:00:11] Joe: Welcome to the class of 2021. What a brilliant show. I love the couples.

[00:00:17] Kim: Love them. Like, Joe we're back. The series is back. We're doing the podcast together again. The dream team is reunited. Do you not love watching all the VT鈥檚 where they kind of meet up because in previous years, like when you were with Diane, you had no idea who you were going to be paired with.

[00:00:35] Joe: No

[00:00:35] Kim: Where as there's something quite special about that meeting on VT and seeing both of your genuine reactions because the pros have got no idea. The celebs have got no idea. So you actually see it instantly and some really quite random places as well.

[00:00:48] Joe: Really random places. I do this thing now every year where I try and whenever I, when I find out who the celebs are, because I know the pros now, so, well, I feel like for over the last three years I basically strip a wall in my house, I pin up all the celebs, all the pros, and I get that red string you know like in films.

Where they connect like one to the other, I'm doing all that!

鈥淚 think Diane is going to be with him, but no, maybe not because la da da da...鈥

[00:01:12] Kim: But, do you know what, see, when we met down stairs for the first time this year, you actually, you were going through every single one and you pretty much got every single one right.

[00:01:21] Joe: So this year, genuinely like, normally I do a prediction beforehand and I make it public, my prediction, but this year I didn't do it because my prediction is pretty bang on. But I think that's purely because I could tell you all the pro's heights, just off the top of my head.

[00:01:35] Kim: That is the kind of information you're going to get from this podcast.

If you want to know a professional's height, you go to Joe Sugg, you are part of the furniture.

[00:01:42] Joe: Maybe go to Kim first just to get it fact checked.

[00:01:45] Kim: I've got a little surprise. Do you remember when you got announced to the nation that you were doing strictly?

[00:01:50] Joe: I remember it like it was yesterday.

[00:01:52] Kim: Okay. What radio show were you on?

[00:01:55] Joe: It was Radio 1.

[00:01:57] Kim: Should we have a little listen to Mr. Joe Sugg pre strictly Come dancing?.

[00:02:01] Joe: You've been in the archives!

[00:02:03] Scott Mills 鈥 Radio 1: Do you have like a target in mind or is it just week by week?

Joe: Uh, literally just week by week.

Scott: Yeah, but you say that now, but then you get, you'll get into the whole bubble of it and you'll be like, all I want to do is get to Blackpool!

[00:02:17] Joe: my nan used to dance dance there, She's in her ninties now.

Yeah. So if I could get there, that'd be really nice. Do you know who you want as your dancer?. Um, no, not really. I'm open

[00:02:27] Scott: The next thing that happens. I don't think this has happened yet, right? Is it? This is like first day at school vibe where you all have to meet up in this big hall.

[00:02:35] Joe: Yeah. I cried on my first day of school.

[00:02:38] Scott: You all get to meet each other and you get to meet all the dancers and you get to meet all the other celebs. That's not happened yet. Has it?

[00:02:43] Joe: No

[00:02:43] Scott: it's the weirdest day ever. Cause you, do you know when that feeling, when you did go like first day of school, it feels exactly the same as, I don't know anyone.

[00:02:52] Joe: And my mum wouldn't be there either. Hold my hand.

[00:02:55] Scott: She鈥檒l drop you off though, right?

[00:02:56] Joe: I saw her yesterday and she gave this giant bag full of vegetables, from her garden, and foot packs to like massage your feet. And like nuts and stuff into, there you go. That's your little care package. Where do you go on?

[00:03:07] Kim: How cute is that?!

[00:03:09] Joe: You can actually sense the terror

[00:03:11] Kim: You sound petrified.

[00:03:12] Joe: It was thing is, I was hearing that strictly music played on a loop whilst during the interview. That's when it sunk in. And I was like, okay, right. This is actually happening now. And like even getting there, cause I was code-named feta. I was a cheese, feta.

And the car taking me from my house to radio, it was all so like, it was like Fort Knox because they didn't want to reveal who it was undercover. And I was like, what have I got myself into, like, this is, this is next level!

[00:03:41] Kim: You just thought you were coming on to do a cha-cha!

And next thing you know鈥

[00:03:44] Joe: Yeah. And I love how I was like, 鈥渁h, you know, I'm open to who my partner is. Don't know who, it will be. And you know, if I get to Blackpool, that'd be great. Cause my Nan dances there.鈥 I planted the seed early, you know, I've manifested it!

Kim: And is that true about your mum doing a package for you?

Joe: It is yeah! She gave me this big package full of like, yeah, like I said, veg from our garden, these little, like these little nuts, like protein, nuts being like, this will keep you going. You'll be fine.

[00:04:06] Kim: You should have done that for this years鈥 lot, you should have handed round little care packages!

[00:04:09] Joe: I know. Well, I've already noticed Greg's been handing out the jam鈥

[00:04:12] Kim: How cute is that? So what's he done?

[00:04:14] Joe: Every room I've been into to say hello and introduce myself to the new celebs. There's jam everywhere.

I'm like 鈥榳here's this jam coming from?鈥, 鈥榃hy's everyone been given jam?!鈥 听Greg's been making jam by the looks of it.

[00:04:27] Kim: Okay. So Joe, why are we here? I know why you鈥檙e here. You competed in the show in 2018, you danced amazing dances. You reached the final without ever getting in a dance off. Yes. That is why you are here, Joe Sugg.

[00:04:41] Joe: And then Kim, you are basically the strictly encyclopaedia.

You've been here working on the show. 12 years. Basically when it started, when it got good. Anyway, basically when it started getting good, it's all down to Kim, you know everything, you know everyone's scores from every year.

[00:04:58] Kim: I love a fact, Like, I really love my facts. Like one of my friends was talking about 鈥榃alking On Sunshine鈥 the other day and was like 鈥業 really love that song鈥︹

I went, 鈥渙h, because of Abby and Aljaz's Quickstep at Blackpool?鈥 And she was like, 鈥淲hat? Who?!鈥 So hopefully I'll kind of be able to give you that knowledge behind the scene, what goes on and combined. This is the exclusive access, all areas, podcast. They let us chat to who we want.

[00:05:20] Joe: Yeah. And just to put into perspective how access all areas we have on this podcast, we are currently sat recording this right now in Dave Arch's dressing room.

[00:05:30] Kim: I know, I actually feel like a bit star struck the we're in his dressing room. We even turned his fridge off just so we can hear that, background noise. Don't tell him.

[00:05:39] Joe: But the thing is, we turned it off and didn't even check what was in there. What if there's like something important? Like, um, contact lenses.

[00:05:44] Kim: Do me a favour, go and have a wee look.

[00:05:45] Joe: Sorry. Dave in advance.

[00:05:47] Kim: What's in it?

[00:05:48] Joe: Oh, nothing but beers full of ... no, I鈥檓 joking. There's actually nothing in it.

[00:05:53] Kim: Why was it even on?

[00:05:54] Joe: I guess it is launch show. You know, he hasn't had time to stock his fridge just yet, but Dave, next time we come up and use your dressing room to record it. I want to see that fridge full.

[00:06:05] Kim: Look Joe, I know it's early. .

Joe: Yep.

Kim: 听I think we should start chatting to the couples. That's what they want to hear.

Joe: Yeah!

[00:06:09] Alan: Author and actor, Robert Webb.

Joe: Now I've danced with Diane before back in 2018. So if I had to give you some piece of advice, If you're hungry鈥 eat. Okay. She's like a machine. She will just go and go and go鈥

[00:06:21] Diane: Actually, one funny thing that you did say to me, I think we had met each other for probably about 10 minutes. And your first proper question to me was 鈥渨hat happens at lunchtime?鈥

[00:06:34] Robert: How does lunch work? Nobody seems to have mentioned lunch

[00:06:37] Diane: And yesterday you did have a packed lunch.

[00:06:41] Robert: I did. Cause I didn't really know what the lung situation was going to be. So I brought a sandwich,

[00:06:46] Joe: Diane, we'll be leaving little notes in there being like back to work She'll somehow find a way

[00:06:52] Robert: She only communicates听 through sarcastic notes. That's when I know that I'm in trouble

[00:06:55] Alan: From Dragon's Den鈥 Entrepreneur, Sara Davis.

[00:06:57] Kim: We came in and all we've been chatting about is Deborah Meaden and I've got a really good fact. Cause that's what you get from this podcast. The year that Deborah Meaden was in Strictly, Aljaz lifted the glitterball with Abby. Has, she been giving you any advice?

[00:07:16] Sara: Well, so obviously I've found out about being on the show when we were in the middle of filming and it was killing me to want to tell her.

Which I, obviously wasn't allowed. So every time she mentioned it, I was being, 鈥渙h, so tell me about that thing Deborah, what do you mean your feet used to hurt a lot and you used to do this? And how did you find that?鈥 She obviously thought 鈥 Oh! She's very interested!鈥 So, and then I got a text off of her when it was announced saying 鈥楴ow I get it!鈥

[00:07:37] Kim: Now you get it! Welcome to strictly!

[00:07:40] Alan: Chef and social media star, Tilly Ramsey.

[00:07:42] Kim: What are your parents saying about you joining the show?

[00:07:45] Tilly: They're very excited. I think mum's pretty nervous for me. Dad's like over the moon.

[00:07:49] Kim: Can they dance? Like, do you ever like see them going and just dancing around the kitchen or absolutely no way.

[00:07:55] Tilly: There are absolutely no dancing jeans in our family whatsoever.

[00:07:59] Kim: And on that, not good luck.

[00:08:01] Alan: Soap, star Katie McGlynn

[00:08:02] Joe: what do you think of Gorka?

[00:08:08] Katie: Well, there's a lot to take in, but Gorka's lovely, he's really calm..

[00:08:14] Joe: Good. Have you got a team name yet?

[00:08:15] Katie: Oh, no. What are we going to be

[00:08:17] Gorka: KG?.

[00:08:18] Katie: Yeah, I like that..

[00:08:20] Joe: I think you've thought about this before. Cause you're very quick to鈥

[00:08:23] Gorka: I thought for five hours driving down from Manchester, which name are we going to have, KG sounds good. Team KG.

[00:08:30] Katie: Yeah, that sounds cool. Or I was thinking Corker?

[00:08:35] Joe: I think that's quite good.

[00:08:36] Gorka: Yeah. Corker. Yeah, it's cool. It means like good also.

[00:08:39] Joe: Corker! Corker of a dance. So I think, forget KJ. Let's go with Cor.... I dunno how I'm involved in this now, but let's go with Corker!

[00:08:46] Alan: broadcaster, Dan Walker.

[00:08:49] Kim: I hear a little rumour that you started off the 2021 WhatsApp group chat. That's a big responsibility!

[00:08:53] Dan: I know, do you know what? This is what I'm worried about. We were talking about this last night. What happens when people start leaving the chat?

[00:09:00] Kim: I'll tell you what happens, they exit themselves.

[00:09:03] Dan: Oh really? Yeah. Cause I'm the administrator.

[00:09:05] Kim: Oh no, you can't. That's two cruel.

[00:09:07] Dan: I was thinking of the awkwardness. What's the awkwardness like. What happens if I go out dead early? Right? And then do I just dissemble the chat or do I, do I have to make someone else in the administrator?

[00:09:16] Kim: You have to hand the Baton to someone, hopefully it won't happen. What did you call the group?

[00:09:21] Dan: I went very, very original and I went for 鈥楽trictly class of 2021鈥.

[00:09:26] Kim: Nice!

[00:09:28] Joe: I always feel like a little bit of like a fan in these situations, because a lot of these celebrities I've watched on TV doing their thing. And then there's me, sort of waiting outside the dressing room, and I鈥檓 like 鈥榗an we have a little word for the podcast?!鈥

[00:09:40] Kim: But what I love doing is like sneaking into dressing rooms. Like I know Dave doesn't have much in here, but like seeing what they turn their dressing room into. Cause over the weeks it kind of gets a bit more elaborate. Cause they've got their own space. So like in previous years you had your own dressing room and Diane was always with like all the pro girls, but this year, cause of bubbles and social distancing, um, the couples are actually together.

Do you remember last year? Who was it that turned the room into like a spa?

[00:10:04] Joe: It was Clara Amfo.

[00:10:06] Kim: You went in and it was just like 鈥榓h!鈥 it was so zen. There was like candles, aromatherapy. It was amazing.

[00:10:12] Joe: Which was a brilliant thing to do that comes like your little safe space before. Going out and dancing in front of millions of people.

[00:10:19] Kim: So I'm looking forward to kind of seeing more of what everyone does with their dressing room.

[00:10:23] Joe: And also you get the occasional celeb that when you interview them, they're like 鈥渙h, I remember watching your dance from this week.鈥 Like, 鈥渉elp me. How do I do this step?鈥 听听

[00:10:31] Kim: Do you remember Harvey last year, genuinely like looked up to you, didn't he? Every single week!

[00:10:36] Joe: Yeah. I like to think that, you know, I was the brains behind his Strictly journey, but he's just one very talented boy. 听

[00:11:14] Alan: You're listening to the official strictly come dancing podcast.

[00:11:18] Joe: Can we discuss Judi and Graziano?

[00:11:21] Kim: I'm utterly obsessed with them already. They are going to be so hilarious. I mean, even like backstage, just in the dressing room, this is what they were like鈥

[00:11:30] Alan: comedian Judy Love

[00:11:31] Joe: You're with the gent Graziano. How was your reaction when you first met him?

[00:11:37] Judi: I mean, honestly, have you seen him? My reaction was sheer delight, cause he's not just a fantastic dancer, he's easy on the eyes!.

[00:11:47] Joe: He's a beautiful听 specimen. Do you think Judi is going to be a natural in the ballroom or the latin?

[00:11:55] Graziano: I think she can do both really, because she got sense of rhythm. Let me tell you, she she's there. She's going to be ready.

[00:12:06] Joe: And how you feel about all the hair and makeup. Cause as I'm speaking to you now, you're having all your hair and makeup done.

Judi: I'm feeling good! My eyes look good. Look at my face babes. How'd you think I feel? doesn't my makeup look great!

[00:12:16] Alan: Anton DuBeke

[00:12:19] Kim: You've just done your photo shoot. You requested swing music. Of course you did!

[00:12:24] Anton: Of course I did!

[00:12:26] Kim: Look, If we peer across our shoulder, Craig's doing his photoshoot right now! He was watching you. He was learning from you!

[00:12:33] Anton: I think he's got a couple of my moves there.

[00:12:35] Kim: What kind of judge are you going to be?

[00:12:37] Anton: I'm going to be the polar opposite of Craig. I think we can guarantee that I'm going to be kind. I'll tell you what I'm going to be. I'm going to be understanding of what they鈥檙e going through and I know exactly how they feel and that's what I'm going to bring to.

It really is just the experience of having done it. And also my bottom line is going to be 鈥渄on't go wrong鈥. Don't go wrong. That's my only thing, don't go wrong.

[00:12:59] Kim: My auntie Sheila, so excited

[00:13:00] Anton: Oh, I love auntie Sheila said her, my love

[00:13:02] Kim: I will!

[00:13:03] Alan: Actor and comedian Nina Wadia.

[00:13:06] Joe: Neil has got a bit of a reputation as being a bit of a prankster. Even earlier on today, I saw him walking past knocking on everyone's doors. So then they came out their door thinking that it was us that was knocking on doors. He's known for his pranks around here. Does that make a little bit worried to have him as your partner this year?

[00:13:19] Nina: No, because I'm a bigger prankster than he is.

[00:13:22] Joe: Oh,

[00:13:22] Nina: Wait until tonight's dance!

[00:13:25] Alan: Three time Olympic champion, Adam Peaty.

Kim: Katya, he's had quite a summer. Are you going to go easy on him? You must be exhausted.

[00:13:33] Katya: I've seen his medals and that's, that's given me another boost of like,

[00:13:38] Adam: She saw it and her eyes just went...

[00:13:40] Katya: Yes!

[00:13:40] Kim: Do you just casually like, bring them with you everywhere you go?

[00:13:43] Adam: This is an accident, I wouldn't normally bring them...

[00:13:47] Kim: Are they right here? Oh my god, can you bring them out? I know it's a podcast but wait until you see my reaction. Are they heavy? Ah, wait a second. This is unbelievable.

Can I touch it?! Oh my god, it's so heavy. How'd you get three of them on you?!

[00:14:03] Adam: It does hurt your neck, but it's good. Practice for the ballroom, innit!

[00:14:05] Kim: Forget the glitter ball, this is what you want. No, I'm joking. Definitely go for the glitterball. Oh, this is amazing. I'm going to get a picture of this afterwards. Sorry. Anyway, back to to Strictly. Are you excited?!

[00:14:15] Adam: Very excited!

[00:14:16] Alan: Former rugby player and pundit Yugo Monye and Oti Mubuse

[00:14:21] Kim: Each year, do you kind of look at your celeb and teach in a different style?

[00:14:24] Oti: No joke. So I was downstairs and someone said to me, 鈥榟ow are you?鈥 And I'm like, 鈥業'm adjusting!鈥 because Bill would really just sit somewhere, put his earphones on, watch movie, and not say a word . Ugo comes in and doesn't stop talking! So I'm like, 鈥榦h my God!鈥

[00:14:43] Ugo: I've never known someone to zone out. So eloquently actually like mentally she's asleep, but she still stands with so much poise,

Oti: I ask him about like rugby, is there. An Anthem. And the story was so long. I dozed out. And then I came back when he was like, 鈥樷houlder to shoulder' I was like, 鈥榳hat about shoulders?鈥 He was like 'I just sang you the whole song!'

[00:15:05] Joe: Now it's always a bit weird, epically the year after the year that I was on 2018, that new cast that come in. It鈥檚 a weird feeling of, sort of, especially cause I was back here doing the podcast, seeing it all go on. And you're not kind of as involved as he was the year before鈥

[00:15:19] Kim: I guess, and seeing Diane with a new partner and you're like鈥

Joe: 鈥t wasn't even just seeing Diane dance with a new partner, it was seeing everyone, I was so protective of everyone that had a new partner.

[00:15:28] Joe: I was like, 鈥榟ang on a minute. What? No you're supposed to be with Graham鈥 or Ashley鈥. 听You know what I mean?

[00:15:32] Kim: Seeing them kind of go through every new stage together, like in hair and makeup in costume and kind of seeing that fear in your eyes. Cause you know, the amazing, just fun journey that they're going to go through as well.

[00:15:44] Joe: That's very true. And on that, I had a little catch up with bill last year's winner of Strictly.

[00:15:50] Alan: Bill Bailey!

[00:15:51] Joe: How you doing, Bill?

[00:15:52] Bill: Hey, really well, thanks!

[00:15:52] Joe: You're looking very cool with the sunnies on!

[00:15:54] Bill: Well you've got to make an effort!

[00:15:57] Joe: Last time we spoke to you on the podcast, you were lifting the glitter ball trophy.

[00:16:00] Bill: Yes.

[00:16:01] Joe: Now you're back. How does it feel to be back?

[00:16:04] Bill: It's almost like never been away and it hasn't really been that long to be honest. I mean, it's only a few months and they've sort of flown by, so, uh, yeah, it's lovely to be back yeah.

[00:16:12] Joe: And we're currently outside between catering and where all our current celebs are about to go in and do their first ever dress rehearsal. How do you think they're feeling? What advice would you give them for this year?

[00:16:25] Bill: I think, yes. I think that right now I remember feeling this was like, I was at the bottom of a very steep learning curve and it seemed almost insurmountable and it was, everything happens at once.

Yeah. I mean, you know, you remember, I mean, everything's being thrown at you. You've got to do this. You've got to wear this suddenly. Suddenly you're wearing you know, spangly costumes, you've got to learn choreography. You're part of a group dance. There's music happening lights. It's all overwhelming. And I think that that's kind of what my, my memories of the first weeks were.

Well, it was a bit of a blur really. And then when you start training, that's when the whole thing really starts for real, but today's going to be a big day for him.

[00:17:04] Joe: And how has it been seeing Oti again? Obviously she was your partner. She's got a new partner this year. Ugo

[00:17:11] Bill: Yeah, I just start a chat with him.

[00:17:12] Joe: Yeah. What was your chat about? What would you talk about?

[00:17:14] Bill: Oh, it just said, you know, looking forward to it and getting stuck into it. And, and I said, you know, it's just enjoy it, you know, because it's, you know, when you, when you're starting out and it's unfamiliar, particularly if you're not a dancer, we've never danced before.

A lot of this is very unfamiliar and everything about it. The shoes. You know, trying on a shirt and pants sewn together. It's like, you know that, oh yeah, I remember that. All of that. And yeah, it's unfamiliar and it's feels strange, but actually that's part of it. You know, it's a part of the whole process.

This is the fun bit really the dancing. And the kind of, this is the excitement. That's the thing that I miss actually is the build-up to the show at the end of the week, you know. A lot of the early mornings and the sore feet and the aching bones. Yeah. I mean, maybe missed that. Not so much, but yeah, but the, this bit, this is what it's all about.

[00:18:03] Joe: It goes quick, doesn't it? these sort of a Friday dress runs the Saturday. there's so much crammed into that day that you haven't really got time to sort of sit down and have a bit of a break and sort of collect your thoughts much. It's just go, go, go.

[00:18:15] Bill: It is. It very much is. And in fact, actually it's a curious thing that I sort of, I'm looking forward to enjoying this series and kind of vicariously through them because I know what everyone's going through and I know what's required and what they'll be feeling.

And yet. I can now sort of enjoy it as a show when you're part of it. It's just so much to take in. It almost goes by in a bit of a blur, it was only after about four or five weeks. I really started to kind of relax into it. So, um, so I'm, I'm really looking forward to seeing it

[00:18:45] Joe: And you're actually performing tonight again.

[00:18:47] Bill: That鈥檚 right. That's right.

[00:18:48] Joe: Which dance are you doing?

[00:18:49] Bill: We're dancing Rapper's Delight.

[00:18:51] Joe: That's the one. Yes, yes, yes. So, you'll be back in the suit, the one, you lifted the trophy in.

[00:18:55] Bill: That's right! Because it was our last dance. Yeah.

[00:18:57] Joe: Did all the choreography sort of come back pretty easy or was it鈥

[00:19:00] Bill: it's amazing. It's just there it's etched into my mind, you know, that it's in the bones and I don't think it will ever leave.

And I don't think that some of the other dances will ever leave as well, because we were playing through some of the other dances and Oti said, oh, just for fun. Here's the, um, here's the music from the Quickstep. See how much of that you remember? Oh, I'll give it a go straight in the whole thing. Every single step is still etched into the, to the brain, into the body.

It's like muscle memory,

which I guess is one of the best strictly as the fact that you actually are learning a skill that you will keep with, you for the rest of your life a

hundred percent. And I think that that's, that's something which is, which is kind of unique about this show is that. Is that you learn a skill, which is, for me anyway, certainly it was something completely out of my comfort zone, but something which then you can carry with you for the rest of your life. Something where you've, you've trained to a certain level, you felt how it feels and you just, you understand it. Then you understand about dance and choreography and I'm interested in it. All of it now.

[00:20:02] Joe: Well Bill, I'm looking forward to watching you perform again tonight to have a good one.

[00:20:05] Bill: Cheers, Joe!

[00:20:07] Kim: So you remember last year we spoke to all the pros and it was like, all their journey, like before getting to strictly. So why they became a dancer, their kind of journey. Like Jeannette was a bank worker.

They all had like really different stories of how they ended up in the strictly dancefloor. This year. I thought it'd be really interesting to hear about just their strictly journeys. I think that's a great idea. And I'm going to end each interview with asking each of the professionals who was their backstage hero.

[00:20:32] Joe: That's a really good question

[00:20:33] Kim: because there's so many amazing people who kind of put the show together. So I want to find out from the professionals who their backstage hero was. Do you know who mine is?

[00:20:41] Joe: Who

[00:20:41] Kim: Jason Gilkinson.

[00:20:42] Joe: Oh, Jace.

[00:20:43] Kim: He is the creative director of Strictly. I wanted to hear all about kind of his time and strictly this year, he lived with the pros in a hotel for three weeks

[00:20:52] Joe: And he survived!

Kim chats with Jason:

[00:20:54] Kim: I've just introduced you as my backstage hero cause that's what you are, you're literally the hero behind strictly.

[00:21:02] Jason: That's too kind!

[00:21:03] Kim: How many years have you been on the show?

[00:21:04] Jason: I think this is my ninth

[00:21:05] Kim: And you still get the same buzz when you walk into the studio...

[00:21:08] Jason: I got emotional watching the opening group dance there.

And you know, it's just, when people are embarking on that journey, again, it sort of takes your breath away a little bit. I love it. I still love it.

[00:21:17] Kim: And do you not just love this? The start? Cause you've got no idea what was going to happen in the next few weeks.

[00:21:22] Jason: Next few hours!

[00:21:25] Kim: You were in a hotel with all the pros. For a few weeks. What happened in that hotel?

[00:21:32] Jason: It's crazy. It's like being in a summer camp. It's the most crazy time. It goes really quick.

[00:21:40] Kim: Do you like, do everything? Do you eat together?

[00:21:42] Jason: Everything we eat together. Everybody is working out in the morning together. Then they warm up together. We do. Group rehearsals all day, we eat together on our day off. Everyone still comes down we're playing cards, we're playing charades at night,

[00:21:55] Kim: I saw like photos of like everyone just playing football and stuff. I, in the lawn鈥

[00:21:58] Jason: not me! I'm not in that group. I'm in the charades group.

Kim: You're choreographing where they should stand.

Jason: Absolutely!

Kim: 听So you've already pre-recorded a lot of the group numbers in advance, I guess, for you. Does that make it a little bit easier? Kind of going into the series.

Jason: Not just me, it makes it easier for the celebs because they get the undivided attention now of the pro they're not like off trying to film group dances halfway through the day. And, um, we can just give them more time to spend with their, you know, little bubbles.

[00:22:28] Kim: Yeah, of course. So you just let me into sneak peak. I just watched like 30 seconds of one of your group dances. It's incredible. Where do you get your inspiration from year after year?

[00:22:38] Jason: You know, you think it's going to dry up, you think, okay, we're out of ideas and then each year more stuff comes and we've got a great team, you know, we all get together and go.

What if we did this? And what if we did that? And you know what it's like, music, music has always been released. You're always rediscovering beautiful music from years ago that you've forgotten about that. We go, oh, what about this piece of music? So there's always stuff.

[00:22:56] Kim: See if it's like a Sunday and you're just relaxing, you're chilling and you're listening to some music.

[00:23:00] Jason: Yeah.

[00:23:00] Kim: Are you always choreographing?

[00:23:02] Jason: It's really scary actually, because I can't listen to music for pleasure anymore. It's sort of, um, it's very rare that I just put my iPods in and you can just walk around listening to music. Cause I'm always trying to turn it into something.

[00:23:14] Kim: And are you always thinking of the pros that you want to do that bit of the dance or.

[00:23:18] Jason: Yeah! I think as soon as like the number I just showed you a little while ago automatically you hear certain bits of music and go, oh my God, that would be perfect on Neil, or that would be great for Kai and Karen, or that would be, you know, certain people always jump to mind and it's really good. Cause they've all got such unique talents.

And I think this year you'll see that right through the whole season.

[00:23:38] Kim: Okay. What can you tease us with for this series?

[00:23:40] Jason: Oh my goodness. Um, I thought last year, the group routines were fantastic, the pros went to the next level. And I think they all felt the pressure on them to actually push the bar even higher.

So I was really lucky. They gave us, you know, the undivided talent and attention for all these numbers. So

[00:23:59] Kim: can I ask you... when they first come back, right, and they do a group dance鈥 Can they just like move their bodies immediately? Or does it take them about a week to actually get going鈥

[00:24:06] Jason: there were cobwebs this time because you know, and a second lockdown, which everybody was missing their bodies moving the way.

I mean, these are athletes that train normally the whole year round, they weren't able to access studios or access each other to that. So, so it was the first week, there was a few aches and pains, but you know, it comes back really quickly. They're young. They鈥檙e young, Kim!,

[00:24:29] Kim: Jace. Thank you so much. My backstage hero.

[00:24:31] Jason: Thank you so much.

Kim chat鈥檚 to Joe:

[00:24:33] Kim: Can I just tell you a really funny story about me and Jason?

[00:24:35] Joe: Yeah.

[00:24:36] Kim: So my very first year of working with Jace, years and years ago, he was living I think, in America at the time. And there was like a massive deal that like Jason was coming to choreograph the group dances. So my job was to go through the music with him, find out what props he wanted, like who was in the routine, costume, et cetera.

So I remember on the phone, he said, look, I want two fans for every single professional. And I was like, at that time, there was like, I think 14 pros. I was like, you need two fans okay, can we not have them at rehearsal and just have them on the stage.

And he was like, no, absolutely not, it was like such a big part of the dance. We really need them there. So I was thinking, oh goodness, like, how am I ever going to get this signed off like, this is absolutely huge. I thought he meant industrial fans...

[00:25:23] Joe: Oh no.

[00:25:23] Kim: So he turned up at rehearsal. I was so excited to show him鈥

And there was 28 industrial fans. He meant like feather boa fans. He wanted to do choreography with feather fans. And I was like, 鈥榯here you go!鈥. Welcome to strictly UK! Nice to meet you!

[00:25:39] Joe: But also my mind went to like fans of the pros. So people who are really like a big fan, like, oh, I love Graziano or Alja啪, like, okay, well come with me. We need you this number just to stand in the background.

Kim: I'm so glad that it wasn't just me. I remember him just looking at me and me thinking, I mean, this man is a genius what must he think of me? Anyway, still here, 12 years on!

[00:26:03] Alan: The 听official Strictly Come Dancing podcast

Alan: Actor, Greg Wise.

[00:26:08] Kim: You are the most popular man in this whole building. Do you know that?!

[00:26:11] Greg: What

[00:26:11] Kim: You are! Actual鈥 official鈥

[00:26:13] Greg: wait till they see me dance. I brought jam? No, no. I'm the creepiest man in this whole building!

[00:26:20] Kim: No! That鈥檚 what everyone loves, like, tell me鈥 about forget about dancing鈥. tell me about the jam!

[00:26:24] Greg: I鈥檝e just brought everyone some good luck jam

[00:26:26] Kim: but did you make it?

[00:26:27] Greg: We've got a damson tree in our garden.

[00:26:29] Kim: Unbelievable.

[00:26:30] Greg: Throwing the fruits out this year.

[00:26:32] Kim: So you鈥檙e kind of hoping to do this each week? 听

[00:26:36] Greg: I'm going to make everyone jewellery next week. And then I'm going to, I'm going to weave something, uh, out of my Naval hair. Uh, and then, um, I think a sculpture of everyone for week four!

[00:26:49] Alan: musician and author, Tom Fletcher

[00:26:50] Joe: do you know whose room this used to be?.

By the way we're in Tom and Amy's a dressing room

[00:26:55] Tom: Do, you know? I don't know. I don't have a clue.

[00:26:58] Joe: This used to be, so Bruce Forsyth鈥檚 dressing room

[00:27:01] Tom: no way!

[00:27:01] Joe: That's what Kim's told me. She's nodding her head. That's true.

What a room to get!

[00:27:04] Tom: So technically you've been on a Strictly ballroom floor before?

Tom: I have, yeah. In Blackpool as well. When Harry won, we just, we, uh, we invaded the ballroom and uh, Yeah, scared the life out of everyone! That was great. It was amazing. I was watching, I watched Harry every week. I think I only missed a couple when, uh, I had to, um, go and be with Doug for a bit. But, um, yeah, I w I watched front row every week.

I don't want him here every week, though.

Judging me!

[00:27:35] Alan: from EastEnders Rose Ailing Ellis.

[00:27:37] Kim: You look amazing. Have you ever been around so much sparkle in your entire life?

[00:27:42] Rose: No! Normally at home, I just haves crunched up hair, barely any makeup on. Because on EastEnders you're doing your own hair, you're own makeup... So I'm not used to other people doing my hair and makeup and it's quite relaxing!

[00:27:54] Kim: So nice

[00:27:55] Rose: And I don't have to think about it

[00:27:56] Kim: And also the outfit as well!

[00:27:58] Rose: Thank you.

[00:27:58] Kim: Just tell the costume that you want to take that home.

[00:28:01] Rose: I want to take it home! 'Cos it's my first outfit. It would be special to me.

[00:28:05] Kim: Jovani What kind of teacher are you going to be this year?

[00:28:08] Jovani: We've already danced a bit together, and I think we have this kind of connection. That's really helpful.

Rose: I think he's a very good teacher because he's very visual so he literally demonstrates things to me. 听

[00:28:19] Alan: TV, presenter, AJ odudu

[00:28:21] AJ: I'm living my actual dream right now. I've stepped into the telly. I'm all glittered up and yeah, I've got a really fun partner.

[00:28:30] Joe: Kai, it's your first series on strictly. AJ, are there any dances that your really looking forward to learning and Kai, any dances that you鈥檙e looking forward to teaching?

[00:28:39] kai: What are you looking forward to?

[00:28:41] AJ: I love all of the high energy dances, the jives, the Charleston

[00:28:46] kai: and I love the slow ones! So it's a good mix!

[00:28:50] Joe: We'll see if it'll still be the same by the end!

[00:28:56] kai: I think she's going to be a secret ballroom girl.

AJ: Really?!

Kai: I think so. Yeah. I think you're going to be good at the Latin anyway, but I think you're going to, like, maybe fall in love with the ballroom. Well, I'll try and make you do that.

[00:29:06] Joe: Let's see if that prediction comes true.

[00:29:08] AJ: That's big talk, isn't it?!

[00:29:10] Alan: C成人论坛 presenter Rhys Stevenson.

[00:29:12] Rhys: I'm so happy. I'm so ready. And I think after doing some dances now, I feel less terrified.

[00:29:19] Kim: Nancy, this is your first year with a celebrity. What kind of teacher can we expect that you're going to be?

[00:29:24] nancy: Oh honey, I'm going to be a very, very tough teacher. I'm going to be very straight. If it's not right, do it again.

[00:29:32] Rhys: You've got that Mary Poppins thing about you. You鈥檙e stern when you need to be. But it's, it's from a place of gentleness!

[00:29:38] Alan: .Chef and presenter John waite

[00:29:40] Joe: Firstly, can I just say your dressing room smells lovely!

[00:29:43] John: Do you know what, I actually think it's the damson jam that Greg Wise left in here. I think it's making the room smell very fragrant and fruity.

[00:29:49] Joe: John, how was it? You found out you have Johannis as your partner. How are you feeling?

[00:29:55] john: I'm elated! I would have been very grateful to have danced with anybody, but to have Johannes who will give me all the confidence I need. I'm sure. It's an honor to be working with you.

[00:30:04] Joe: You're in safe hands.

[00:30:05] Johannes: Joe knows.

[00:30:06] Joe: Yeah. True. Because we danced together very briefly.

[00:30:09] Johannes: Absolutely at salsa and I'll never forget.

[00:30:13] Joe: I'll never forget because I've never been chucked in the air like that ever in my life!

[00:30:17] John: Joe, keep your hands off. My man, will ya?!

[00:30:21] Joe: Do we have a team name established?

[00:30:22] John: team jojo?

[00:30:23] Johannes: Yeah, team jojo. That's what we were thinking of it as an initial thing, are we sticking with that.

[00:30:28] Joe: Also, I've got to ask John, what are those things?

[00:30:31] John: They鈥檙e my dumbbells. They鈥檙e still taped up. I've not used them yet, but there's an Olympian out there, guys. We've got to have a bit of a pump in the bicep, haven't we?!

[00:30:38] Joe: My word. Yeah. I've never seen anything like that in my life.

[00:30:41] Kim: There. We have it. The cast. Of 2021 who, on earth knows what is going to happen for the next three months.

[00:30:49] Joe: I don't know, but I'm excited to find out and to talk about it right here on this podcast.

[00:30:53] Kim: It's exclusive, have we said that?

[00:30:54] Joe: Exclusively on 成人论坛 sounds!

[00:30:56] Kim: Cannot wait to bring you that first show. So remember, the first live show is on Saturday. Our podcast will be out on the Sunday.

[00:31:02] Joe: We've also got exclusive podcast on Thursday where we are doing a 48 hour countdown.

And I mean, we won't talk for the 48 hours leading up. The show. Cause that would鈥

[00:31:13] Kim: I actually think we probably could. I just didn't think people would want it.

[00:31:17] Joe: Yeah, that'd be鈥 oh no, there'll be some people out there that will want it. You'll be surprised! But unfortunately we鈥檒l not be talking for the whole 48 hours.

We are just going to chat through the couple of songs and dance styles. Plus we are going to chat to the new, it takes two hosts, Janette Manrara

[00:31:32] Kim: I'm so excited about that, it's amazing! Right Joe鈥

Both: In the meantime keeeep danc鈥. Listening!

Joe: oops!

Kim: You add every year, like literally every year.

Kim: Right. Just leave it. I'm not doing that again!

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