Strictly come dancing star kevin clifton breaks silence

Despite never having won Strictly Come Dancing, Anton Du Beke is now a TV celebrity in his own right presenting a cookery show on BBC2 and BBC1's Saturday teatime gameshow, Hole in the Wall. But it has not always been so easy for Du Beke, whose real name is Anthony Beke. Prior to finding fame as a dancer, he worked as an interior designer, furniture salesman, baker, financial advisor and painter and decorator. His first job was in a factory making aircraft parts. "It's been difficult. I've had tough times," he has said. "You're never sure whether you're doing the right thing – you've not got any money, no proper job. I'd invested everything in being a dancer and I was doing shite... Eventually you get better, eventually it gets easier, but it's been tricky." Since finding fame, life has not been simple either: he caused controversy before the current series of of the Saturday night show had even begun when it was reported he had jokingly asked his dance partner, Laila Rouass … [Read more...] about Profile: Strictly Come Dancing’s Anton Du Beke

Stacey Dooley and Lorraine Kelly have been 'ru-vealed' as guests on RuPaul's Drag Race UK's legendary Snatch Game. The Strictly Come Dancing winner, 32, and chatshow host, 59, will complete the BBC Three show's star-studded line-up.  The Snatch Game sees contestants transform into a chosen celebrity as they partake in a game based on American game show, Match Game, they are tested for the impersonation and improvisation skills. Condragulations: Stacey Dooley (pictured) and Lorraine Kelly have been 'ru-vealed' as guests on RuPaul's Drag Race UK's legendary Snatch Game Stacey and Lorraine will be on the panel during the legendary challenge as they partake in the game and will offer their critiques during the judging feedback at the end of the episode. RELATED ARTICLES Previous 1 Next Meet the brand new Strictly pro! Latin specialist Nancy Xu... Love Island's Curtis Pritchard CONFIRMED as dance coach on... Cheryl CONFIRMS she will be a … [Read more...] about Stacey Dooley and Lorraine Kelly are CONFIRMED for RuPaul’s Drag Race UK’s legendary Snatch Game as they complete the star-studded line-up

His performance last week on Strictly Come Dancing with dance partner Amy Dowden scored a phenomenal 40 points from judges.  But Karim Zeroual has revealed that his path into the world of showbiz was made harder by his family's inability to afford drama school.  The CBBC presenter, 26, instead had to get in on merit alone, with his mother struggling to afford the train fare to get him there.  Difficult: Karim Zeroual's path into the world of showbiz was made harder by his family's inability to afford drama school (pictured: Karim with his Strictly dance partner Amy Dowden) Karim, who grew up in a one-bedroom flat with his mother and sister, also revealed he 'wasn't even that good' a performer and it took him 'two or three times' to get the drama school scholarship.  'I couldn't afford drama school. But I was lucky to have a strong mum, strong sister, who supported what I did,' he told the Mirror.  RELATED ARTICLES Previous 1 Next Strictly's Karim … [Read more...] about ‘I couldn’t afford drama school’: Strictly’s Karim Zeroual reveals his humble roots and claims he ‘wasn’t that good’ at performing despite earning a scholarship

Stirling Central Scotland Most visitors go to Scotland for the scenery, the culture, eventful history and the cold-Caribbean-like coast. As a base for exploring the Highlands, with shops and society yet no city throngs, Stirling is a bonny option. The dramatic castle towering above the town nudges into every view, ensuring no visitor forgets to visit, but book ahead for special Christmas lunches in the intimate Green Room, and carols on 15 Dec, and the play A Christmas Carol (20-22 Dec). Stirling Winter Festival has a long list of events, from a Family Ceilidh on 14 Dec to children’s show Snow Play on 20 Dec. It would be rude not to go for a hike, so choose your Ben – Ben A’an and Ben Lomond are goodies (but make sure you are properly prepared for the likely conditions). Less taxing is the climb to the Wallace Monument for views over the city. After dark, you could target Andy Scott’s illuminated equine sculptures, the Kelpies, south of Stirling at Falkirk, for … [Read more...] about Winter weekenders: 15 picturesque UK towns for a pre-Christmas break

Come to South Shields for happy seaside outings, invited the old railway posters. Sandy chip ­butties and a plastic beaker of warm, diluted orange squash in this gem of a resort were the long summer ­holidays of my salad days. We didn’t need to travel far – only a few miles on a bus – which was just as well when there was mam, dad and six kids, carrying bags galore stuffed with towels, rugs, flasks of tea and buttered bread, a windbreak, tent and football. I might not have fully appreciated it then, but we were fortunate to live in a friendly town on the glorious golden coast of North East England. And they’re still coming in their ­thousands from near and far to enjoy their happy seaside outings in sunny South Shields. Just like the charabanc up the A19 from Middlesbrough, 50 miles to the south on Teesside. Back on the beaches with a bucket and spade, I bumped into a couple of coachloads of Smoggies from Newport Primary. Kids, parents and … [Read more...] about Why aye do like to be beside the seaside: A love letter to South Shields, by Mirrorman Kevin Maguire