April 2008

After having just finished Strictly Come Dancing, it wasn’t long into the New Year before we started intensive rehearsals for the all new Strictly Come Dancing Live Tour. It was fantastic to be able to work again with so many familiar faces from all five series of Strictly. Our first performance was in Glasgow and what a fantastic reception we received from the crowds; to perform in front of so many people was (to use Craig’s word) A-ma-zing!

Zoe and I had a ball dancing together again; we thought we had danced our last dance but then the tour came along. To re-live the Tango and the Samba brought back all those memories of the final and the time we had spent together during series 3. It was also great to work with Denise Lewis, my celebrity dance partner on Series 2, who was dancing with Matthew Cutler on the tour and to be able to help her with some of the moves that I had taught her for our Quickstep during that series.

To keep the show slick, we all had to be focused and bear in mind that every audience was seeing us for the first time; with that in mind, we would rehearse group routines in the afternoons. The whole tour schedule was very physically demanding and as a consequence, we were constantly having to eat to maintain our energy levels for the shows. The catering on the tour was so good that I found myself eating far more than usual. I have to say that my favourite part of it all was being able to tuck into cheese and pickle rolls (yes, I do love my food) whilst travelling between venues on the tour bus and engaging in banter with the other stars of the show.

It really did feel like one big family backstage; working with the cast and crew on the tour was so much fun from beginning to end and it made the whole experience one that I will never forget.

We had the privilege on a couple of days off during the tour to participate in the BBC’s celebration for Bruce Forsyth’s 80th birthday. I danced the opening number with Camilla and the finale dance with Denise Lewis. What a fantastic evening it was, with some special performances from the lead boys from the West End stage show Billy Elliot. The icing on the cake for me was the performance by Liza Minnelli, which had sent shivers up my spine when I watched it at rehearsals; what a true professional. I very much enjoyed the show and to taking a look back at some of Bruce’s finest moments.

One of the hobbies that I have enjoyed over the past couple of years is singing and I was very privileged to have been coached by the late legendary vocal coach, Ian Adam. Sadly, Ian passed away in 2007 and many of those whose lives and careers had been transformed as a result of his efforts got together on 24 February 2008 to celebrate Ian’s life at a memorial concert “I’d Like to Teach the World to Sing” held at Her Majesty’s Theatre in London’s West End. It was amazing to see how loved Ian was, which was reflected in the large numbers of well known actors and singers who participated in the concert, which went on for over four hours. In Act One, Camilla and I danced across the stage in between other performances but on the third occasion, instead of Camilla and to my surprise, the diminutive ballet dancer, Wayne Sleep, appeared and I performed a comedy dance routine with him, which was received with huge bellows of laughter from the audience. In Act Two, Camilla and I performed a Rumba to the song The Story of My Life, which was sung by Martin Crewes. It was a song which has previously been sung by Michael Crawford, one of Ian’s many protégés, who sadly was not able to make the concert that night. My particular highlights of the evening included working with the well renowned West End choreographer Gillian Lynne, Elaine Paige singing Memory and listening to a rare joint performance by Andrew and Julian Lloyd Webber. It was an honour to have known Ian Adam and to have taken part in a very befitting tribute to his life. All proceeds from the event went to the Singing for Breathing Ian Adam Memorial Fund at The Royal Brompton Hospital which helps patients with respiratory problems and where Ian was cared for during his illness. Some photographs from the night can be found below.

Life has since largely gone back to normal which basically means that I am still exceedingly busy! Amongst other things, I have been doing what I love best, which is performing in shows and other events up and down the country. Many of these are private events, but where possible, I will keep you updated on my News page.

Separately, I am organising a Celebrity Charity Golf Day in aid of the two charities which I personally support, WellChild and Beatbullying. The event will take place on 29 May 2008 at Castle Royle Golf and Country Club, in Berkshire. If you would like to put together a team of three to take part and play with a celebrity, please click here for more information.

Thank you for your continued support.
Lots of love,
Ian