Strictly judge Darcey Bussell to 'get tougher' on contestants
Tuesday 11 September 2012
From the blogs
Tackling homophobia, the last taboo in football
The shirts of Germany's top flight players will this weekend be adorned with a unanimous slogan: "Ge...
“Dance music is something which is lived”: Groove Armada go back to their roots
Andy Cato and Tom Findlay are Groove Armada, a musical duo who have delivered a consistently impress...
The British citizenship test goes to Edinburgh
After the fun we had asking people in London how they would do in a completely unscientific sampling...
Championship Preview: Cardiff manager Mackay faces Leeds test
With the international break having passed, players and fans will be looking forward to the return o...
Related articles
New Strictly Come Dancing judge Darcey Bussell has denied being too nice when she appeared as a guest judge on the show and warned that she is about to get tougher.
The former ballet star, 43, who had a role in the BBC1 show in 2009, replaces Alesha Dixon on the panel of the new series.
"It was odd when I came in last time because I was only brought in at the end, by which time the contestants were all very good. It would have been wrong to have been too critical at that point," she told the Radio Times magazine.
"Now that I am in from the start it will be very different. When you have been brought up in a world where everything you do is scrutinised and judged you have to develop a thick skin, which is what I am going to encourage the contestants to do. They have to learn to take in our comments and thrive on them.
"What I am looking forward to is spotting people with potential and being tough on them in order to bring it out of them. If they don't improve and get better week on week, then they're out as far as I'm concerned."
Bussell, who was told by a teacher to give up ballet because she was not good enough when she started out at the Royal Ballet School aged just 13, told the magazine that she will draw on the nerves she experienced before her performance at the closing ceremony of the Olympic Games.
"I had a year to get in shape, but I hadn't 'danced' for nearly four years. My body changed so much when I stopped dancing - I became soft! And finding the courage to get into an all-in-one leotard was a big deal," she said.
"There were a lot of things I had to get over. With three months to go I was on the verge of calling Kim (Gavin, the ceremony's director) and telling him to find someone else. I totally lost it, but looking back I am so glad I didn't chicken out!
"It is something great for me to draw on for Strictly because I can really empathise with the contestants - getting into the tiny costumes, waking up unable to move with every muscle in my body aching, being absolutely terrified before going on stage - those are all things I have now experienced."
The new series of Strictly Come Dancing starts on Saturday with Olympic stars Victoria Pendleton and Louis Smith among the contestants.
Click here to see the Strictly contestants in pictures
PA
-
Mr Rent-a-Quote fools mainstream media
-
Mitt Romney misfires in his attempt to discredit Barack Obama's 'weak' foreign policy
-
Iranian group raises price on rushdie's head
-
Jamie's food revolution runs into $1.2bn suit
-
Revealed: inside story of US envoy's assassination
-
Royals launch legal action after topless Kate Middleton photographs in French Closer magazine
-
Former Army officer named as first challenger to Cameron's rule
-
News in Pictures
-
More anti-Japan protests over East China Sea islands
-
Rugby star, his father and brother die in slurry tank trying to save dog
- 1 Mr Rent-a-Quote fools mainstream media
- 2 Mystery of Marc Bolan's death solved
- 3 The forgotten massacre
- 4 Jamie's food revolution runs into $1.2bn suit
- 5 Athletics: Oscar Pistorius salutes 'amazing' London at golden farewell
- 6 Not all socialists want to dance on Margaret Thatcher's grave. I want her to go on and on
- 7 Revealed: inside story of US envoy's assassination
- 8 Paul McDonald: Heard the one about the oldest joke in the world? It's a cracker!
- 9 Thanks Mum, you were so right about that tattoo
- 10 More anti-Japan protests over East China Sea islands
Experience the Heineken Hub
Get free wi-fi and exclusive i content while you enjoy a tasty pint of Heineken at participating pubs.
Win tickets with Triumph
Get the inside scoop from our experts on London Fashion Week and win tickets to Vodafone London Fashion Weekend.
The biggest winner is the future
As the official network infrastructure supporter for The Games, Cisco is already helping London to achieve a rewarding legacy
Want to make cash from your spare room?
Let out your house, flat or spare room with Airbnb and make some money.
Win tickets to the FIT Awards
Fields In Trust is committed to protecting places for play across the UK - help inspire the next generation.
Now showing at the O2
Check out the cool stuff happening under our tent: the hottest gigs, comedy, sport, films, clubs, bars, restaurants and much more.
Enter the latest Independent competitions
Win anything from gadgets to five-star holidays on our competitions and offers page.
Business videos from commercial thought leaders
Watch the best in the business world give their insights into the world of business.
Comments