Wow. That was close. Talk about highs and lows. I’ve now had a proper taste of what it’s like in the eye of the storm. As you can imagine I was very nervous before my tango on Friday and I tried to hide the nerves as best I could but my left wrist and left arm had other ideas. As I finished the dance I actually thought I’d done it well and at first I was disappointed in the judges’ comments and in particular the very average scores. Having watched the footage back, I feel that the comments were very fair. At the time I really had no idea that my ‘hold’ as Len put it ‘…was slightly peculiar’. However I was enormously relieved and felt I’d given it my all and that my only enemy was really my own nerves. If I could have controlled my nerves on the night I know I would have delivered a more disciplined performance.
On Saturday night I really, really wanted to give a very good show in the rumba and I was praying for at least one ‘7′. I knew that I’d probably end up in the middle of the board but at least if I had a ‘7′ it would have put a smile on my face and given me a boost.
Sore Thumb
As a consequence of knowing I was in a dangerous place, I put too much pressure on myself and once again the old nerves tapped me on the shoulder and made the performance not as enjoyable as it should have been. Ten minutes before I was due to take the stage, I was brushing the soles of my shoes with a dancer’s steel brush (used to stop you from slipping). The adrenaline was pumping so much that the brush slipped off the sole of the shoe and cut my thumb quite badly. So then up until the moment I went on air I was sucking my thumb to stop the bleeding, much to the amusement of those around me who thought I’d regressed to the state of a toddler!
So to the dreaded moment of the dance off. I had a feeling that I was going to end up there to be honest, especially after my rumba scores. So I had sort of mentally prepared and decided to go out and give it my all and actually enjoy the dance, which I did. I’m glad I got to perform the tango again as I did feel I improved on my first performance. The relief to get through was huge. My wife, mum and friends were in the audience and we all had a group hug. My wife said ‘Don’t you dare put us all through that again!’ Flavia was quite upset which made me quite upset as I really didn’t want to let her down. We are both determined to work hard and try and avoid that happening again for as long as possible. It was really sad to see Richard go, he’s a lovely bloke and he worked incredibly hard. We had a nice drink in the bar afterwards and he said he will be around to support us all.
I’d like to thank everyone for their lovely comments and messages of support, it really means a lot to me. I’ll be on It Takes Two tomorrow so look out for me there. (Incidentally Darcey Bussell was on the show tonight and said that my rumba was under-marked which, coming from her, was great to hear). I am going to train as hard as I can this week and go out there this Saturday to have fun. I’m going to savour every moment and hopefully make my friends and family proud. Also, I can’t believe I’m saying this but I’m actually looking forward to my top up spray tan on Thursday… what’s going on? Bye for now, Craig.
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
Coronation Street and soon to be Strictly Come Dancing star Craig Kelly has been brought in to voice the station imaging at Manchester’s Key 103.
The station recruited the actor ahead of the announcement that he would be swinging his hips on the BBC One show and now hopes to benefit from his raised profile.
Programme director Gary Stein commented: “We wanted our new voice to represent everything Manchester and Craig will create a real feel that Key 103 is the radio station that is made in Manchester, by Manchester, which sets us aside from the National BBC Stations. Craig will bring a rich and Mancunian feel to the imaging,” he added.
Stein noted that although Kelly’s voice sounded great he was unaware of his skills on the floor as yet. “If he dances like John Sergeant we’re all stuffed,” he quipped.
Craig Kelly will soon be posting blogs to update everyone on his progress on the dancefloor…
Craig has just announced he has signed up to the seventh series of strictly come dancing. He will be partnering flavia cacace.
The star of some of British television’s most critically acclaimed and best loved shows, Craig Kelly brings charm, wit and handsome good looks to the nation’s screens. Currently residing on Corrie, the nation’s favourite Street, heartthrob Craig has the Weatherfield ladies falling at his feet.
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Craig on Flavia on Strictly
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Interview On Strictly
For over a decade, Mancunian Craig has been winning praise for his roles in multi award-winning drama series, from Queer as Folk to Hotel Babylon. He now looks forward to the “huge adventure” that is Strictly Come Dancing, bringing a touch of macho Manchester sex appeal to the ballroom.
Craig Kelly and his brother Dean Lennox Kelly play siblings in brand new drama on ITV in late october.
On the face of it, a major road accident is nothing more than a split second of panic and confusion; an act of terrible violence that both changes and destroys lives, with a cause and effect quality that can ripple out across the entire world.
Collision tells the story of just such an accident; of ten very different people who aren’t remotely connected – as far as they know – and who may never see each other again. Yet they all share one single defining moment
Beyond the crumpled cars and beleaguered emergency services are the invisible dramas and when DI John Tolin begins his investigation he finds himself drawn into many different and dangerous worlds including government cover-ups, smuggling, torn relationships and murder.
Collision features an ensemble cast including Douglas Henshall, Phil Davis, Jan Francis, Kate Ashfield, Claire Rushbrook, Paul McGann, David Bamber, Dean Lennox Kelly, Craig Kelly, Lucy Griffiths and Sylvia Syms.
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