I have reported on
#Strictly
since it started. The remit of the show has always been to teach celebs ballroom/latin dancing. There has never been a “rule” about past dance experience. No idea where this idea about
#Strictly
being about novices learning to dance has come from.
It’s just dawned on me that to be a
#Strictly
pro requires more than just choreographing a few dances: you also have to be a coach; a friend; a psychologist & an all round amazing human. We need to cherish these people - they are quite extraordinary
Just want to give a huge shout out to
@karen_hauer
on this yrs
@bbcstrictly
: longest serving female pro , she is having her best series in years and is performing miracles with
@IAmChrisRamsey
plus her styling is EVERYTHING ! She is so totally fierce :
#strictly
1/ Today is an unbearably sad day for me: my last day at GNS - the job that I have done for nearly 27 yrs of my 30 yr BBC career. That’s half my life! It HAS been my life . It’s not easy to say goodbye to the best job in the BBC - which is why I’ve stayed so long.
Tonight’s
#Strictly
has been like therapy : cathartic; joyful ; uplifting ; life affirming . There’s no other show like it. It basically celebrates NICE people showing their best side. THIS is why the show is still going strong after 18 yrs & it’s JUST what we need in 2021
I’m feeling incredibly fearful at the moment of getting Covid . Despite being doubly vaccinated; still taking all the precautions I can sensibly take . I feel virus infection is rampaging unchecked at the fastest rate since this all began. I simply don’t feel SAFE - anyone agree?
@SoVeryBritish
The only way I’d go to Glastonbury was if there was a hotel in site with a comfy bed; a shower; air con ; good breakfast - in that order - 5 mins walk away from the main stage . As that ain’t never gonna happen - the sofa’s the best place to watch !
The last few months and weeks have seen a never ending haemorrhaging of talent at the BBC . Yes people are leaving voluntarily but for those (fewer) of us left behind, it’s bewildering & incredibly sad …
Just saddened by the sheer number of talented experienced simply brilliant colleagues leaving the BBC at the moment :
#bbccuts
& the worst thing is we can’t say bye properly either as leaving dos are out of the question : double whammy of sadness
I work for the BBC and am rightly proud of our teams reporting the
#Ukraine
crisis. But I am also proud of our so called rivals at
#skynews
#itvnews
because they demonstrate we have the best journalists in the world reporting without fear or favour 👏👏👏
Also, having some past dance experience has always proved to be almost a disadvantage- as you have to unlearn what you know & master the very specific techniques of ballroom/latin. Which is why Shirley was so harsh on Layton this week
#Strictly
Dare I say it ? Think Gethin is actually really good doing the main show on
#ItTakesTwo
rather than being wasted in the throwaway Elstree based interviews on a Friday . He really knows his onions
BBC local radio presenters to get a top award for their Liz Truss interviews. Well deserved 👏. Sad they are at risk of losing their jobs as a result of cuts to local radio .
Helen’s fave dance their cabaret couples choice: STILL one of the highlights of this series and STILL the biggest f*** you to an ex live on British tv ever . Go girl !
#strictly
Today is my 30 yr BBCversary : 30 yrs ago today I walked through the doors at Grafton House as a
#bbclocalradio
trainee . My future remains uncertain but clinging on ( just about!) by my fingernails. Great place to work & a privilege to work for the BBC - I never forget that.
5/ Local radio is in my blood. The teams on BBC local radio are the hardest working; most creative & committed bunch of people anywhere. I am proud to have been a small part of that. As 1 person I spoke to recently said to me: local radio is not just a job -it’s a way of life.
I am drowning in a sea of uncertainty like I’ve never experienced in my life ever- personally professionally politically . It is horrible . Not sure how much more I can take to be honest ...
I am today feeling surprised , amazed & overwhelmed - not to mention a tad embarrassed - by the messages of support I have received on here in response to my tweet last night. From the bottom of my heart thank you. Twitter CAN Be a kind place 🙏💕
Can’t believe we turned up our noses at
@Joe_Sugg
when he was 1st unveiled for
@bbcstrictly
he has been a revelation & such a credit to the much maligned “youth” of this nation. Cool; committed & unique style of dancing have made him a joy to watch
#strictly
Dear
@bbcstrictly
producers : please give
@jojo_radebe
a celeb partner next year. Such a beautiful dancer . Let him show us what he can do !!! Thank you
#strictly
My ….what we’ve learnt about Bobby Brazier is he IS a very special young man - and
#Strictly
has allowed us to watch him grow and mature. His future is incredibly bright ❤️
#Strictly
#ItTakesTwo
I have some very sad news for all my
#BBCLocalradio
colleagues. I am sorry to say the my wonderful former colleague at GNS - and the Royal Correspondent for local Radio Sandra Westbrooke has died . Fantastic voice; expert knowledge & the loveliest person RIP Sandra.
Big news : Amanda Abbington WITHDRAWING from
#Strictly
: official statement says she’s “unable” to continue . This is sad news. She was a beautiful dancer and a contender . I hope she’s okay
I’ve been single for a large part of my life & have lived on my own for decades. But it’s the thought I am FORCED legally to be on my own at home - not allowed to see anyone else that totally terrifies me. Normally independent I now fear for me & others like me
#lockdown
So I’m working Xmas day and unable to have a Xmas dinner or drink as a result - so have had my Xmas lunch a day early and already half way through a bottle of champagne ! Cheers 🥂🥂
Every year the same debate over celebs with “previous dance experience”. 😖Ballroom and Latin are very specific, very TECHNICAL dancing skills . Even if you’ve performed on stage it has nothing to do with nailing the foxtrot or samba.
#Strictly
The new restrictions are tough on everyone . But spare a thought for people who live by themselves : not only forced to work from home - but nobody to talk to at home anyway . It is another lockdown by another name and it sucks
#mentalhealth
Not been able to celebrate my bday for 2 yrs because of Covid restrictions - so am happy to be able to this yr: Happy bday me! PS it does mean I’m still the age I was 2 yrs ago right?! Ok
Social media is a bit of a bubble - especially the algorithms on this place nowadays - but it’s been truly astonishing to see how
#SteveWright
death has touched so many people. This proves just how POWERFUL radio still is - especially in the hands of someone who was its master 💔
It’s nearly that time of the year - at least am starting to plan for it: had my first meeting with the
@bbcstrictlyPR
team today about this year’s series . Boy oh boy is it going to be different ! Watch this space
#strictly
Krishnan is continuing to surprise me every week. Is he the best dancer? Absolutely not! But how can you not love HIS joy ?! Totally adorable. I don’t want him to go yet - this is what
#Strictly
is all about !
Let me let you into a
#Strictly
secret: not only is
@AljazSkorjanec
v handsome - he is one of the nicest people on the show : always so supportive & positive with his partners: any celeb is lucky to get him as a partner
All I can say is that you can take the girl out of
#bbclocalradio
but you can’t get
#bbclocalradio
out of the girl . Heartbroken for all my fantastic hard working and brilliant colleagues.
Oh
@HamzaYassin3
Hamza Hamza! Tails! Dreadlocks! New York New York! Heel click at the start! Flow! Grace! Panache ! THAT’S how you do an American Smooth! WOW! Didn’t really need extra dancers- Hamza & Jowita filled the floor plenty: STUNNING
#Strictly
AJ & Kai quickstep: talk about putting on the ritz - that was OFF THE SCALE best quickstep of the series!! But was anyone else holding their breath in case of a wardrobe malfunction With those pom-poms ? Eek
#Strictly
ten from Craig for sure
Benedict Cumberbatch won first ever
@bafta
believe it or not for
#PatrickMelrose
. Said he was going dancing to celebrate even though he’s a terrible dancer!
#baftatv
The way
#britishairways
has treated its staff should send shivers down everyone’s spines: it marks a chilling change in industrial relations and the way firms treat their employees from a previously benign employer . Disgraceful . My heart goes it to all affected
One of the ( only) perks of this freezing weather: was able to defrost the fridge/freezer overnight by placing all my frozen food in the boot of my car. It was still totally frozen in the morning when I switched fridge back on - frost free! Yes- my life is really THAT exciting 😂
I’m really sorry but
#AgeBeforeBeauty
is the worst drama I’ve seen on
@bbcone
for a long long time . Terrible characters ; wooden acting ; ludicrous plot. Spare us any more please
Kieran really helped Hannah Meryl & Aaron out didn’t he? Some parting shot ! What incredible TV this has been! But I fear nothing can ever capture the surprise & thrills of this 1st series ever again . 👏👏👏
#TheTraitors
career defining for
@ClaudiaWinkle
Just been chatting to
@jamescracknell
about Saturday. He is realistic about his chances but let me tell you his jive is enormous fun (saw the rehearsal) !
@bbcstrictly
#strictly
I’ve taken the plunge & booked A HOLIDAY ! Have so many credit vouchers from 2020 cancelled hols to use up so did it! Sicily Sept in my diary: surely SURELY I can plan that far ahead?🙏
4/Many of you here on Twitter have been persuaded by me to get up in the early hours to do 2 hours of back to back interviews with stations : THANK you for Making sure local audiences - many of whom consume no other BBC service - are informed & connected to the wider world
2/ I’ve been fortunate to have had a front row seat & to be right in the middle of so many moments of history with this job. I’ve been kissed by Mandela: flown on the last Concorde flight; danced with Brucie; flirted with Scorcese & Leo at the Oscars; reported on Royal events ...
@5_News
@Ruth5News
Oh Ruth 💕. My brother is suffering too . Not been able to work as a teacher for months .Big Covid has a lot of similarities with chronic fatigue syndrome . A lot more research needs to be done for sure . Mainly cos I love your reports & have missed seeing u On
@5_News
Aaaarggghhhhhhh ! Drop the gun !!!!!!!! How tense was that !!! Another blinding cliffhanger !! I cannot sleep ! I cannot wait for next week ! This is by far the best tv series EVER !!!!!!
#lineofduty
I actually SCREAMED at the end of that ! Not sure what my neighbours think
What a breath of fresh air Eddie has been on
#Strictly
- bringing a fresh perspective to the show - diversity matters ! Have loved his positive, happy , warm personality- Lord knows we need this at the moment. A great signing this year 👏👏
3/ ....and I’ve done this for
#BBCLocalRadio
- making local radio sound BIG & connected to world. As my job changed from reporting to producing I fought like a lioness to make sure I secured the BEST guests on the top stories of the day for Local Radio.
It’s not even the end of January and already we’ve had The Post Office drama ; Gladiators and The Traitors uniting audiences in their millions on TV. In an era when everyone says linear TV is dead - this is heartening
#TheTraitorsUK
Since watching John Craven on
#Newsround
as a kid, I dreamed of working for the BBC. Still can’t believe I achieved this at my first attempt ( still waiting to get found out). Astonishing to think I’ve been here for 31 of its 100 yr history. Happy Birthday BBC
#BBC100
As
#ItTakesTwo
comes to and I want to say I think
@FleurEast
has been fantastic on the show. Really professional; bubbly and engaging. I hope she comes back next year
#strictly
I am rightly proud of what the BBC has achieved over the past 10 days covering the Queen’s death. But in the UK we have THE BEST news broadcasters & journalists in the world so am also proud of colleagues at
@itn
@Channel4
@5_News
@SkyNews
👏👏
I’ve noticed a real change in Gio on
#Strictly
over the years : remember his early yrs - particularly with Laura Whitmore when it was all about him . But in recent yrs he has been focusing on his partners & making them shine - & being so fiercely supportive of them: I like it !
This is the point of the series I start to get annoyed - as good dancers Start getting put in danger over those who are POPULAR. No way does Layton deserve to be in the dance off tonight .
#Strictly
Oh
@WillBayleytt
I am totally gutted you are leaving the show. Obviously first & foremost I wish you a speedy recovery from injury : you need to be well to represent GB ! But on
@bbcstrictly
you have no idea how many boundaries you have broken & how much joy u have brought
on Xmas day I had my 2nd potato in 18 months & some champagne.Why is this relevant? thanks to
@DrMichaelMosley
#fast800
in 18 months I have lost 6 st/ 84lbs/38kgs. By cutting out refined carbs/potatoes/rice/pasta/alcohol/sugar; fasting 2/3 days a wk & not eating after 5pm
Having a few v showbizzy days: yesterday
@bbcstrictly
. Today have just interviewed the NEW Doctor
#jodiewhittaker
@bbcdoctorwho
. It’s coming soon. Cannot wait! PS Jodie is delightful
Finally got to see
@ABBAVoyage
Hard to describe as the technology is so good you really feel you’re watching real people. As a teenager it was uncool to like ABBA & I sang their songs in my bedroom- tonight I sang at the top of my lungs. Total joy
We have gathered together - old GNS & BBC colleagues -to say a final farewell to my lovely friend & former Royal Correspondent Sandra Westbrooke today. RIP my lovely
#BBCLocalradio
@BBCEngland
OMG have just left
@bbcstrictly
after watchingTHE best Final ever in my opinion. Amazing dancing all round & I will never stop being in awe of people who learn a new skill to such a high standard
@bbcstrictly
is simply THE best show on TV , FACT