Sunday Mirror (Northern Ireland)
IT’S ALL HOTTING UP ON STRICTLY We tango after my mum’s packed lunches ...AND IN THE RAMSAY KITCHEN
Tilly Ramsay on fun with Nikita
Bosses’ fear as show jinxed by illness & injury
BY
STRICTLY bosses are desperate for nothing else to go wrong after a string of illness and hitches left the show “in complete chaos”.
McFly singer Tom Fletcher, 36, caught Covid-19 and had to miss week two, while there were reports some dancers had not been vaccinated against the virus.
On Wednesday comedian Robert Webb, 49, quit on the advice of his doctor, two years after having open heart surgery.
And on Thursday rugby star Ugo Monye, 38, confirmed he was out of last night’s show because of back problems. He told fans: “I have been advised to get treatment and rest to ensure I can get myself back to full capacity, fighting fit for next week.”
Now there is a feeling behind the scenes that the series cannot afford another setback. A source told the Sunday Mirror: “The show is taking every precaution to ensure that, moving forward, the remaining contestants only leave the show when they’re voted out.
“It’s the absolute priority of the BBC that nothing else goes wrong.
“This series has been complete chaos from the start.
“There’s always talk about the Strictly curse breaking up couples, but now it feels like this year the show is just cursed in general.”
A show spokesman said: “Strictly Come Dancing production already has strict measures in place to protect the safety of all those participating in this year’s series.”
TILLY Ramsay has a secret weapon fuelling her bid for Strictly glory... her mum’s packed lunches.
With her telly chef dad Gordon giving nutritional tips, mum Tana has prepared nosh for Tilly’s 10-hour training days.
And her pro dance partner Nikita Kuzmin gets a helping too.
Tilly, 19 – who today dismisses rumours of a romance with Nikita – tells the Sunday Mirror: “Mum makes packed lunches every day, even one for Niki, so it’s nice, it’s really good.
“Yesterday, it was salmon and an Asian coleslaw salad. She makes things that are healthy and very nutritious.
“They wake me up every morning with a cup of tea, then I come down to some nice toast or porridge.” TikTok star Tilly has dated Londoner Seth Mack since 2019. She insists there is no cha cha chance of them falling prey to the Strictly curse which has wrecked a string of relationships down the years as stars fall for their dance partners. She says of Nikita: “We’re just having fun. I think people are just obsessed with the curse but don’t seem to realise we can be just good friends. And that’s all we are. People seem to forget that. I said from the start that I am here to learn to dance and that’s it.” And Nikita, 23, shrugs off all the speculation too, saying: “Whatever is being said about us, we’re focused on our own dancing and that’s what matters to us. “We are really happy just to
dance and just to have fun. It’s like two good friends met for Strictly!”
Ukranian Nikitia – who has dated dancer Nicole Wirt for five years – also has no intention of incurring the wrath of Gordon, 54.
Of getting to know the chef and Tana, 47, Nikita adds: “I got a bit scared the first time I met him.
“I was pretty anxious when we received a video call during training, but he’s so supportive, to be fair.
“Gordon and Tana even made me a nice card thanking me for having a good relationship with Tilly.
TEARS
“I think what Gordon sees is that we get on well together and we are really happy just to be here in the show.”
Last night the pair performed the paso doble.
Tilly says her dad calls several times a day to see how training is going.
Gordon is renowned for his foulmouthed antics but viewers have seen a softer side as he beams with pride on the sidelines – and was even reduced to tears when Tilly did the Charleston. Tilly says: “I know, I couldn’t believe it!
“People have seen a softer side to Dad, I don’t think anyone’s used to it, to be honest! But it was nice, nice to see. He’s got to go back to America for work, but is already telling me how many times a day he’s going to be calling to check in on me and Nikita.
“I think he’s loving how much fun I’m having, that I’m really enjoying it.”
Tilly says training is gruelling and the dancers’ work ethic was a real eye-opener.
She goes on: “You don’t know how much work gets put in behind the scenes. Until you’re actually doing it, I don’t think you really grasp the true amount that goes into it.
“I think I underestimate how strong dancers really are, and how they use literally every muscle in their body.
“I’m finding muscles I didn’t know I have – I’m like, ‘I didn’t even know that could hurt’! Even muscles in my feet are starting to ache, it’s crazy!”
Tilly is no stranger to life in front of the camera after hosting several CBBC cooking shows and being such a star on social media.
But she has struggled with nerves ahead of live performances.
She explains: “Week one I really struggled with the nerves and kind of freaked out. But we’ve got a new approach now.
“Before the dance I shout at Nikita, ‘I’m excited, I’m excited’. We try not to use the word nervous, and then by saying excited, it actually makes me smile and brings me into the joy of it.
“It gets me in the mood. I try not to think about it being live. I don’t really think about the cameras so much. I think about the judges, everyone in the studio, which helps because I’m not thinking about the millions watching at home!”
Viewers have certainly taken to Tilly and she has won a new army of fans.
She adds: “I’ve had some lovely messages. I think it’s nice to give other people the confidence to do things they may not originally wanted to do.
“I love inspiring people to do new stuff, like to cook from a young age.
“Now it’s just more inspiring people to be themselves, have fun, do what makes them happy.
“Be out of your comfort zone and push yourself.”