Jason Donovan is so desperate to win Strictly Come Dancing this weekend, that he won’t allow his partner Kristina Rihanoff to take a day off, it has been claimed.

Tess Daly told The Sun that the Australian star is among the most competitive she has ever seen and is so keen to perform well when he competes against Jason Donovan and Chelee Healy in Blackpool, that he is ever rehearsing on a Sunday, the dancers’ usual day of rest.

She said: “He has been in it to win it since week one.

“He’s so committed he even begs partner Kristina Rihanoff to train on Sundays, usually the dancers’ only day off.

“He absolutely loves the whole Strictly experience and admits it has been life-changing for him.

“He has lost so much weight and has never felt fitter. He told me training is like a fitness boot camp and that he loves every second of it.”

However bookies think that Jason’s air of desperation is putting voters off and despite being an early favourite to win the competition, he is now seen as the outsider, with Harry Judd tipped to take the glitterball trophy in a few days time.

Meanwhile, Harry has been getting support from his McFly bandmate Dougie Poynter. The bassist only arrived back in the UK a matter of days ago, after winning ITV’s I’m A Celebrity in Australia. On his return, he headed straight down to Judd’s dance rehearsals to show off his crown and big him up before Saturday’s final.

View the original post Strictly Come Dancing 2011: Competitive Jason Donovan won’t give Kristina Rihanoff a day off! on Unreality TV

Strictly Come Dancing is coming live for the first time from Wembley Arena this weekend, after enjoying a year of bumper ratings.

Professional dancer Kristina Rihanoff told TV buzz that she is so proud of all the stars who are making the series such a success, telling TV Buzz:

“It’s going to be very special.”

She added:

“All the dancers are very excited about Wembley and we’re all incredibly proud that we beat X Factor.”

“We work so hard – the professional dancers don’t even have Sundays off because that’s the day that we rehearse our next group dance.”

So there is no celebratory bubbly after the shows?

“No. There is too much work to be done for celebrations.”

Not even Nancy Dell’Olio? Known for her love of champers?

“I didn’t see Nancy around any champagne.”

But Kristina does make time for her family and so does the crew! She revealed:

“Tess [Daly] and everyone working on the show with children brings them down to see our dress rehearsals.”

And Kristina admitted that she really does have a soft spot for the man himself, Bruce Forsyth, laughing:

“It’s great to have him there. When you stand next to him after a dance, it’s always a magical moment.”

View the original post Strictly Come Dancing 2011: Kristina Rihanoff is ‘proud’ that they beat The X Factor! on Unreality TV

Strictly Come Dancing professional Kristina Rihanoff has revealed that she turned down the chance to work with Madonna, because she wanted to dedicate all her time to working with Australian star Jason Donovan.

The blonde bombshell told The Sun that she was asked to help advise the Queen of pop in choosing some new backing dancers for a new project, but decided not to take the opportunity, as she doesn’t want to harm her and Jason’s chances of winning this year’s Strictly series.

Rihanoff and the Neighbours star certainly lit up the stage when they performed on last week’s episode of the BBC dance show, as they pulled off a passable paso doble, while dressed in traditional Spanish costumes.

Jason looked pretty darned hot as a matador and after their routine, even Len Goodman admitted that he had been distracted by his pert bottom in the tight trousers.

However, Alesha Dixon advised the pair that now they have the performance level and energy pegged, they need to work on Donovan’s technique and make him more precise for next week’s show.

Watch the video of their routine below.

View the original post Strictly Come Dancing 2011: Kristina Rihanoff turned down Madonna job to train with Jason Donovan on Unreality TV

Jason Donovan opened tonight’s Strictly Come Dancing show, looking rather dashing in his red and black matador outfit.

Tonight, he and his professional partner Kristina Rihanoff took on the Paso Doble, though we did find it a little hard to concentrate, with his pert little butt moving around the floor so fast!

The Australian star was masterful with the blonde Russian beauty and though we HATED the band’s version of ‘I Want It All’ by Queen and Kristina looked a little like Kat Slater in her leopard print dress, altogether the routine went well we thought.

Len Goodman admitted that he too was looking at Jason’s buttocks and claimed they were nice and ‘firm. He added:

“You’ve got the performance but lacked the technique. You looked great when you were standing still.”

Alesha Dixon thought it was a ‘confident’ performance but felt it was too ‘unsure’. She wants him to work on his technique and combine it with his passion.

Bruno Tonioli said ‘you tried to make a big meal out of the paso and got indigestion!’ He added: ‘It wasn’t your best performance.’

Did you enjoy Jason’s performance tonight? Leave your comments below.

View the original post Strictly Come Dancing 2011: Jason Donovan goes matador for Paso Doble on Unreality TV

Jason Donovan has admitted that he fancies his Strictly pro-dance partner Kristina Rihanoff, but he reckons his wife is fine with it.

43 year old Jason – who’s married to Angela – told the Radio Times, “I’m secure enough in my relationship to flirt with Kristina as a professional but not take it any further.

“My wife is used to seeing me on stage with other women.”

Jason went on to reveal that he’s been doing “some research” for Friday night’s forthcoming show…

He said, “I don’t want to go in cold. I want to have fun, but I’m taking this seriously.”

And Jason added that he’s been trying to look the part by topping up his spray tan.

He said, “I have been looking through my colour chart to select which teak I’m going to go for.”

View the original post Strictly Come Dancing 2011: Jason Donovan admits he fancies Kristina Rihanoff! on Unreality TV

In the first Strictly Come Dancing results show of 2010 Goldie was voted off, becoming the first celebrity to leave the competition.

Having had the first week to impress the judges and receive their vote, this week saw the audience have the final say as to who remained. And this time there was no dance off and no chance for the judges to save a couple. Couples danced either a salsa or a foxtrot.

The judges’ scores left Ann Widdecombe and Anton Du Beke at the bottom of the leaderboard but the combination of the judges’ scores and viewer votes meant Goldie and partner Kristina Rihanoff were eliminated.

Of Goldie and Kristina’s dance, the judges said:

Bruno Tonioli:

“I liked the beginning and the end because you had that free jazzy feel that really suited you. Sometimes you were taking your footsteps as if you were slipping on a banana skin – you were either too backwards or too forwards. I couldn’t quite get it. I didn’t understand. You didn’t get your frame right. It kind of spoiled it for me. But the beginning and the end – I liked.”

Craig Revel Horwood:

“I think that was slightly exaggerated, Bruno, to be honest. What he meant to say really was that your weight was just a little too far back as you took your heel leads, that’s all. You occasionally lost some body contact. I thought the interpretation of that whole dance routine was fantastic. I thought that was very, very good. It still needs work but it’s getting there.”

Alesha Dixon:

“I think you put your own little Goldie swagger on that routine, I loved the role play, I loved the storytelling. It’s clear to us that you’re working extremely hard, and that’s noted”.

Len Goodman:

“It was more brassy than golden, but I thought it was a far superior performance than we saw from you last week and it was a real performance dance. What I like is that you’re genuinely trying to master the technique, and some of the couples don’t even bother with their footwork, so I commend you for working on that.”

After their elimination Goldie said:

“It’s alright. I’ve had a great time and been superfit, so I’ll keep that. Kristina is fantastic. It’s been a good experience for me – onwards and upwards.”

The celebrities who also competed this week and escaped elimination were: Peter Shilton, Kara Tointon, Gavin Henson, Tina O’Brien, Matt Baker, Patsy Kensit, Jimi Mistry, Felicity Kendal, Ann Widdecombe, Michelle Williams, Scott Maslen, Pamela Stephenson and Paul Daniels.

Tonight’s show also saw a guest performance from Robbie Williams backed by Katya Virshalis, Kristina Rihanoff, Aliona Vilani, Ola Jordan and Flavia Cacace.

All remaining couples will be dancing next week to either a rumba or a quickstep.

View the original post Strictly Come Dancing 2010: Goldie and Kristina Rihanoff voted off on Unreality TV

Goldie and his professional partner Kristina Rihanoff failed to impress some of the judges on last night’s Strictly Come Dancing show.

The rap star strutted out to Kesha’s Tik Tok and attempted to perform the cha cha cha with his sexy sidekick. However the disco themed routine was criticised by the judges for not having enough cha cha cha and Craig Revel Horwood hated Goldie’s dancing style.

Judges Comments:

Craig Revel Horwood: ‘I think there is more movement to be had in that body to be honest. For me, it was a little bit tight and awkward. Arm placement was extremely dodgy throughout, poor landing. That ghastly 80s move has to go, two-year-olds do that darling.’

Len Goodman: ‘You’re hardly a shrinking violet. You’ve got great rhythm, It was a little bit overladen with those ripply moves. But I would say the cha cha’s about having fun and that’s what you did.’

Alesha Dixon: That was very entertaining, it was fun and you made me smile. But it was more disco than cha cha. If you put the work in, I think you’ve got potential.

Bruno Tonioli: I know you’re a cool guy but that was a bit too loose. You’ve got to do more cha cha, you’ve got to be tight, you’ve got to be precise, you’ve got to be more technical.

Did you enjoy Goldie and Kristina’s performance? Leave your comments below.

View the original post Strictly Come Dancing 2010: Craig Revel Horwood hated Goldie’s cha cha cha (VIDEO) on Unreality TV

Strictly Come Dancing professional Kristina Rihanoff revealed that she has already introduced her boyfriend Joe Calzaghe to her celebrity partner Goldie.

Kristina hooked up with Joe on the show last year, just weeks after they began their dance training. She insists that there is no chance of a romance with married star Goldie this year and introduced the pair to avoid any misunderstandings.

She told iVillage: “Joe knows this is my job. We live together now and are very happy.

“Goldie was dying to meet Joe as he’s a huge boxing fan. Goldie was like, ‘Oh my God, it’s so cool to meet you’.

“His wife Mika was there, she’s so sweet and supportive.”

View the original post Strictly Come Dancing 2010: Kristina Rihanoff introduces Joe Calzaghe to Goldie on Unreality TV

Strictly Come Dancing professional Kristina Rihanoff has denied rumours that Dancing With The Stars performer Derek Hough will be joining the show.

The Russian dancer claims that Derek will be staying in LA this year due to a heavy work load and a new girlfriend….that’s Cheryl Cole blew out then!

Speaking on Sky’s Angela and Friends, Rihanoff said: “Derek is a good friend of mine.

“We did a tour of Dancing With The Stars together. I don’t think he’s going to come over.”

She added: “As far as I know, he’s in a very strong relationship in Los Angeles with a very lovely girl. And there’s so much work for him there.

“But we don’t know. I don’t know. We probably won’t find out until July.”

View the original post Kristina Rihanoff says Derek Hough won’t join Strictly Come Dancing 2010 on Unreality TV

Former Strictly Come Dancing judge Arlene Phillips has blamed professional dancer, Kristina Rihanoff for Joe Calzaghe’s departure this weekend.

Arlene thinks the pair’s performances were lacking, because their romance was so heavily publicised outside the show.

Arlene told The Sun: “The thing about Strictly romances like Matt and Flavia’s is nobody knew. That’s what made it so unbelievably powerful.

“We were seeing two people dancing together and everyone was thinking: Are they? Or aren’t they?

“Nobody knew and so what was happening on screen became extremely powerful and everybody wondered if it was real.

“But the romances this year – Kristina and Joe, Ali and Brian – are out there for all to see so it becomes meaningless on the dance floor. There is no mystery, no haunting quality.”

Arlene admitted that Kristina is a good dancer and teacher, but says sometimes other elements take over. She said:

“She’s powerful and very creative too. She takes the bigger picture of ballroom and Latin and sees within the rules what she can add or put in, she’s a very good storyteller to her dance.

“But she has a lot of other things on her agenda – and sometimes it overshadows.”

View the original post Arlene Phillips blames Kristina Rihanoff for Joe Calzaghe’s departure on Unreality TV