My First Ever Blog…
Welcome to my very first Strictly blog. Where do I start? Well, I’ve caved in and am getting a spray tan tomorrow. How’s that for starters? I’ve wrestled with the orange demon for weeks now but I’ve come to the conclusion that it will get me eventually and seeing as the ‘tango’ is my first dance on Friday , it seems appropriate.
Tango Time
I’ve now been training for about three weeks and let me tell you, I don’t think I’ve ever worked so hard on anything in my life. But the great thing about it is, that day by day, I’m starting to see slight improvements and it gives me inspiration and hope. The key is to try and be a sponge and absorb the pearls of wisdom that Flavia (one of the best dancers in the world) throws at me. She is a great teacher and has endless amounts of patience (which is quite handy). Training with her is great fun, we have a right laugh together.
Doing Strictly has quite literally taken over my life. Once you get on this juggernaut, the only thing to do is cling on as best you can, for as long as possible and enjoy the ride. My aim is to take it week by week and therefore in the short term, enjoy each individual dance, for there may not be another.
It is now Wednesday and I’ve just done my first ‘It Takes Two’ with my fellow ‘juggernaut’ passengers. The show has a friendly, family-like vibe. Everyone seems to be genuinely buzzing about this year’s series and all seem to love being part of Strictly. I was grateful for some kind comments from Camilla and Matthew – it really put a spring in my step.
Ready to Rhumba
Claudia was lovely and happened to mention my alter egos that I have created for each individual dance; Pablo the bull-fighting, Spanish aristocrat will be dancing the tango and Danny, the young lothario (whose heart finally gets stolen) will dance the rhumba. Let’s hope they don’t let me down!
The technical rehearsal is tomorrow and we’re getting a ballet class from world famous ballerina Darcey Bussell, then dress rehearsal on Friday daytime and then it’s showtime. I’m very excited (incredibly nervous) and hope all my training pays off. I will blog again after Saturday’s show – fingers crossed I’ll still be in the show for next week. Bye for now. Craig
Stumble it!
Themocracy
Hey Craggle, Blackpool awaits but can it handle it?!!!! Just do your thing and keep at it! xx
Craig…those judges are definitely too harsh ! We love all the hard work you’re putting in and think you deserve to go to Blackpool and then some !!
Well done Craig, you didn’t deserve to be in the dance off but as we all know the person at the bottom of the leader board always gets through as people feel sorry for them.
Keep up the good work, see you next week.
Craig we’re so pleased in my house that you got through, you so didn’t deserve to be in the dance off! Keep your chin up and work on that posture!
Hi Craig
Ýou have a long way to go but keep the faith. I and many others believe in you. If you were brillant the first week we would all be bored by you by week 10. You are a terrific actor just start acting like a brillant dancer. Lose all ego not that I am saying you have a big ego. I am not but I think to do what you need to you need to let go of everything!!
Well done for getting through to week two (it is one of Flavia’s stumbling blocks – 3 times out of 4 series she has been in the bottom 2/dance off in week one). LIke Annie says there are several who are in early dance offs who go on a real journey – so lets hope for a long one. You have a great partner in Flavia (she is one amazing teacher – and some of us have had the privilege of being taught by her so we should know). You and Flavia seem to have a good connection in the training footage so all you need to do is bring this to the dance floor (and remember to breathe – and not look round like you are waiting for a sniper! and oh yes relax.. like that is easy!).
One more thing and this is advice (not criticism). You need to get a connection with Flavia when you are dancing. You both seem to be quite shy and you need to let her into your “personal space” and get her to allow you into hers.
And no more dance offs pls… (not good for blood pressure, food intake, nerves and phone/bank balance!)
Keep at it. Good luck to both of you.
Well done Craig, you did brilliantly this weekend and you should certainly not have been in the danceoff. Just try to relax next week (yeah like that’s easy to do!). You’ve got the most amazing partner in Flavia and you’ve got loads of us voting like mad for you! Loads of people who are in week one dance offs go on to stay for ages so you could have a great “journey!” Have fun!
Well done – but please, no more dance offs – its bad for my blood pressure!!
Well done Craig,that is probably the worst shows over with and you managed to get through performing the most difficult dances in the same weekend with very complicated choreography “Wicked Flavia” was spot on.
In your training footage you and Flavia seem to have a great connection and that is what you will bring to the dance floor, like everything it just takes time but just breathe deep and enjoy!
Unsure as to the dance you are performing on Sat but hoping for a fun quirky QS after all the seriousness of the Tango and Rhumba. Good luck to you and Flavia for the coming weekend and i for one will be voting like mad (again).
Well Done Craig on SCD.
We are all rooting for you!! Now you have survived your first vote off, you can just go from strength to strength. I think you will do a ‘Goughy’ and just get better and better from now on.
Soon you can be just like M.U.F.C. – top of the league
)
Hello Craig, good luck with Strictly, can I just say something to you – a few years back not sure how many maybe about 4, I was sitting on the bus when it stopped outside Highgate station in London, and you got on, you sat on the seat next to me, I was thinking who is that bloke I know him from somewhere, you pulled out a script and started reading from it. Anyhow I looked you up online and just wanted to which you all the best, cheers.
Well done Craig! You and Flavia did a great job and you have huge potential. I loved the drama of the Tango. I loved the intensity and determination you brought to your dances (two of the most difficult ones, I may add). You have such a wonderfully witty and warm personality and that will shine through on the dance floor once the nerves subside. Technique doesn’t come overnight, but it does develop. You are my ‘dark horse’ of the competition. Good luck.
well done craig on getting through week one, i was voting like mad thats for certain! flavia is a-maz-ing ; she managed to get matt di angelo from 0 to 10 so i dont see why she wouldnt be able to do the same for you, good luck! x
Well done on getting through week 1 Craig. Take confidence from that and really shine next week. I know you can do it !! Relax and trust in Flavia – she’s amazing !! Craig RH saying you can grow is quite a compliment !!! Can’t wait to see you dance next week Good Luck xxxx
Well done Craig and Flavia, for getting through to next week. Scarey stuff for a time when you were in the dance off but thankfully we get to see you both again next Saturday. You’ve got the best pro dancer in Flavia there, so make the most of your opportunity to learn from her and enjoy the whole experience!! Good Luck…xx
Saludos desde Argentinaaa!!!!!
Craig, somos muchos los fanaticos que te sequimos por Caoronation Street y tambien por tu fabulosa actuacion en Queer As Folk. Asi que avisa un dia cuando este de visita por Sudamerica, en especial Argentina.
Saludos mios y de todos tus fans argentinos!
xxx
I know where i was the night Craig Kelly danced the tango…..I drove so fast from the station I thought Me and Steve Glasgow were gonna end up in Casualty ( the hospital not the tv show).
Craig you were stricly scrumtrulescent. Your confidence. Your ability to zone out the what probably is unzoneoutable strictly atmosphere around you and be with Flavia in that dance. The audience reaction to your dance was so fantastic! I texted everyone I know on the planet and I could feel us all with you each step of the way as we will be for the rest of your journey! I was so so proud of you! Felt like getting craig revel hall’s smug little shiny face and giving it a rub with some brillo! The scores did not match the dance in my opinion. However I know you are going to relish the rumba in the jungle of mediocrity tonight.
Craig (a.k.a “the dancing queen”) – I’ve seen some top dancing in my time but yours really took the biscuit. Moves like that are rarer than rocking horse crap. Good luck tonight – you’re gonna knock ‘em dead!
Craig , 3 words about last night….WOW, WOW, WEWOW!
great Tango. fantastic attack and what aboot those feet?….Go all guns ablazing for tonight!
We’re all behind ya…..x
I thought you & Flavia were great doing the tango tonight. Good luck for the Rhumba tomorrow night. x
Well done Craig, great effort! Glad Len recognised how much you put into it. We really enjoyed it! Keep it up, good luck tomorrow night.