Tonight:
4°c
Sarah Frater's rating
Strictly dancers are brilliant fun
By
Sarah Frater
28 Jan 2008
The success of Strictly Come Dancing took many by surprise, but the 12 million of us who sat glued to the finale never had any doubts. We love ballroom dancing. We love its glamour and grace and good manners. We're bored with gobby D-listers. We hate sullen models and their rubbish boyfriends. We want nice dresses and proper parties. We want people who know how to dance and how to behave. We want to go to the ball, and with Strictly Come Dancing we can.
The BBC was quick to recognise the show's money-spinning potential, and sold the format hither and yon. Now there's a live show and it's brilliant fun. Like the tellie, it has waltzing celebrities (Zoe Ball, Letitia Dean, etc), audience voting and professional hoofers. There's chandeliers, glitter balls, and ooh-ing and ahh-ing, plus a ring-ding band and tip-top singers.
Brucey and Bruno can't be with us, but Kate Thornton does a respectable turn as mistress of ceremonies and the three remaining judges are as funny and insightful as ever.
Who won? My personal celebrity winner was Letitia Dean who waltzed with voluptuous glory and jived with sass and sizzle. After dancing her socks off she pointed to her bosom and said: "It's not easy being 40 and jumping around with these two".
• 13-15 February, O2 Arena (0844 856 0202, www.theo2.co.uk).
Details are correct at the time of publication - please check with venue before booking.
Reader views (3)
I went with my niece to SCD at Wembley & we had one of the best times of our lives. We both adore the show & jumped at the chance of going to see it live, to experience the fun, the glamour, the music, the dancing, the occasion & the sheer class of it all was beyond our wildest dreams. The whole evening was superb, the TV show is fantastic & I hoped they would bring it to the masses which they have, thankfully. What a stunning show, we already have our tickets for next year & we can't wait!!! Strictly Forever
- Carol Turnham, Mill Hill, London, 14/02/2008 16:55
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I attended the show with my family on Sunday. It was brilliant entertainment for all ages. My mother who is 80 and my grandson who is only 4 enjoyed the experience. I would however say that there is no price consession for elderly or children so it was a very expensive afternoon.
- Susan Hornsey, Hertfordshire, 28/01/2008 22:00
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I loved every minute and shouted myself hoarse screaming for Christopher Parker's unforgettably (and unintentionally?) hilarious paso doble. The stars for me are Letitia Dean and Zoe Ball and Darren Gough brushes up nicely in a tux. A great night out.
- Kasey, London, 28/01/2008 16:39
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