91Èȱ¬

Len Goodman
Head Judge

As a professional judge both on and off screen, Len Goodman is an established figure in the world of dance. Despite being a late beginner, Len's dancing career soon flourished and he wasted no time setting up a dance school in Dartford, Kent, which he still runs today. Before making the jump to professional judge, Len competed as a dancer, specialising in exhibition, a type of ballroom dancing which is all about the lifts. He quickly became British champion, winning the title a total of four times. Len now splits his time between London and LA, filming both Strictly Come Dancing and its American equivalent, Dancing With The Stars. As an experienced judge, Len knows what he's looking for and doesn't want to see any nerves from the celebrities.

Q&A

Another Strictly! Excited?
I am really looking forward to it and I am raring to go. The time flies by and I can’t wait for the new series to start. Hopefully it's going to be the best ever.

What do you think about the format changes?
It’s a good thing. The new producers have got fresh ideas to jazz the show up a bit and I am really looking forward to it. I think it is right they aren't having as many celebrities on this year, too.

Which celebrities are you looking forward to watching?
Felicity Kendal should be good as well as Patsy Kensit.

Expectations for the show get higher each year. Is it harder for the celebrities taking part?
Definitely as the standards do get higher. There is always someone who comes along who is totally unexpected. Look at last year with Ricky Whittle and Chris Hollins. Both were fantastic and you would never have dreamed this beforehand. The intrigue of who is going to do well and who is not going to do well is one of the reasons why I love doing Strictly so much.

As judges, do you over step the mark?
I don't think we do. We never get personal about the people. I actually feel sorry for the celebrities as they invest so much time and energy in the show. But we are there to give a critique of the dancing. I can't be over nasty. I think Craig is sometimes a bit cruel with some of his remarks and I will tell him so, but it is all part of the fun and there is never any animosity afterwards between us both.

What kind of judge are you going to be this year?
I want to be fair, entertain a bit and enlighten, educate and encourage. What advice would you give this year's celebrities? Enjoy themselves, relax, try not to worry and savour the moment.

You work on the US version, Dancing With The Stars, are you dreading the commute this year?
I don't dread it because nobody forces me. I enjoy doing them both so much and hopefully I won't have to give either of them up!

Is the rivalry and romance we see on Strictly every year a reflection of what really happens on the dance floor?
When you are pushed together for a long period of time, lots of the professionals end up marrying their partner, as I did. You have very little life outside of it and so with regards to celebrities such as Ali and Brian getting together last year, yes it is nice. Lots of people form relationships in the workplace, so why not?

You have often said you are the luckiest man alive landing a job on Strictly. Do you still feel like that?
Yes, I am a very lucky person indeed. It's like someone being keen on football and ending up turning professional. I love it.

And, finally, are Bruno and Craig more vain when it comes to slapping on the hair gel than you?!
I will tell you a little secret. They bring their own make up in! They will only use certain foundations and eye liner or whatever it is they put on their faces. They are both from the theatre and they are more used to slapping on the make-up than I am.

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Craig Revel Horwood

Craig Revel Horwood doesn’t pull any punches when it comes to giving his opinion. He is a notoriously hard judge to please, but you wouldn't expect any less from a top theatre choreographer.

Craig's career has taken him worldwide, and he has even won a prestigious Olivier award for his work on the West End musical Spend, Spend, Spend.

He is also an experienced performer, and has featured in such shows as Cats, Miss Saigon and Crazy For You.

The ever busy Craig is constantly on the go choreographing and directing new stage projects, as well as judging a New Zealand version of Strictly Come Dancing.

Q&A

Are you looking forward to the new series?
Very much so. I love watching all the professional dancers and I am really pleased that this year they will be able to blow people away and wow the audience with their dance routines. They will have a week to rehearse, rather than a couple of hours at the end, so that is going to be great.

What do you think about Claudia hosting the Sunday night results programme?
I love Claudia and I think it is very apt that she has been asked to present it. She filled in last year and she did really well. She was very funny and witty and it is definitely time she came on the 91Èȱ¬ One show.

What kind of judge are you going to be this year?
An honest one! It is important to tell the celebrities what is wrong with their dancing and how they can improve.

What do you think of your 'Mr Nasty' tag?
I don't think I am being nasty. I have to protect the dance side and I am not going to tell someone they are wonderful when clearly they are not. People have accused you of being too critical… I don't think I am and I actually think Len Goodman is very traditional. We don't see eye to eye on the programme sometimes, but it would be a dull world if we had the same opinion. We are always very professional afterwards.

Which celebrity are you most looking forward to watching?
Ann Widdecombe. Politicians do tend to have the gift of the gab and I think people will get to see the soft and glamorous side to her when she comes on Strictly too. She will certainly give us all a run for our money in the talkbacks!

Talking of which, do you enjoy the banter between yourself and the dancers?
Yes, it's all part of the fun and you have to remember it is an entertainment show. I like it when people say what they think. I am up for the challenge, as much as they are.

Have you ever been tempted to storm off the stage in a strop?!
No. Everyone is entitled to their opinion and it is all water off a duck's back to me!

What advice would you give this year's contestants?
Listen to your professional dancer, take everything in your stride, take to the floor with grace and style and don't get upset if you are criticised.

Which of the judges is the vainest?
Bruno is more desperate than me to look young and fabulous. But I have been guilty of over fake tanning definitely!

And finally are you secretly jealous of Len and Bruno working as judges on the US version?
No. When would I get time to do that?! I am a choreographer and that is my career. Strictly is a bit of fun on a Saturday night.I would never give it up as I love doing the show too much. I am really looking forward to the new series.

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Alesha Dixon

Returning to the judges' panel for a second year is much loved pop-star and former Strictly champion, Alesha Dixon.

Alesha began her career in the music business with pop band Mis-Teeq, securing a MOBO award and BRIT nomination with the group before embarking on a solo career.

Alesha became a firm favourite with viewers on series five of Strictly, winning the show with her partner, Matthew Cutler. As a former champion, Alesha knows what it takes to win the competition and will surely keep the boys on their toes!

Q&A

You are returning for a second series as a judge. How are you feeling?
Excited. I am really looking forward to the new set, pro dancers and sitting in the judges' chairs with the boys. I have the best seat in the house. I am also looking forward to seeing how the contestants get on and who will shine.

What kind of judge are you going to be?
I want to be myself and as honest as I can. I respect the show and what it is all about and I want to see the same from the contestants. It's important to be helpful and give people advice so they can work on things.

You were criticised last year for the role you played as a judge. One year on, what have you learned?
It was hard last year because there was a lot of negativity before I had even started. But I am a fighter and I was determined not to let any of the negative opinions get to me. I hope people can move on now as the focus should definitely not be on me – but the contestants. They are, after all, the ones doing Strictly.

Are you also feeling more confident this year?
I am just very relaxed. I was quite relaxed last year, but to everyone else it probably appeared quite stressful. The truth is I really enjoyed myself last year and I am raring to go this year.

What advice would you give to the contestants?
Embrace the moment, listen to the judges and just enjoy it. Try not to let the nerves get to you. Going on Strictly is such an amazing opportunity.

Do you enjoy working with the other judges?
Yes all of them are so lovely and Bruno is such a laugh. He is so full of energy. I feel it is such an honour to be asked to judge the show and it's a joy to be part of it.

Who are you looking forward to watching?
Goldie. He is going to surprise loads of people. He is a lot of fun and he will bring great entertainment to the show. I am also looking forward to watching Ann Widdecombe because she is so strongly opinionated.

Your dream contestant?
Lily Allen. She is a nice girl and she is a fan of the show, so she would be great to watch.

Which is more nerve wracking – being a judge on Strictly or performing as a pop star on stage?
Performing on stage, without a doubt. Performing to a crowded audience is always nerve wracking.

Will you be dressing up and which male judge is the most flamboyant?
I can’t wait to put on some sparkly dresses! Craig is the most flamboyant in his style. He will come in and wear really wacky things which I love.

As a judge, do you over step the mark?
No we are completely in our rights to say what we think. I think when Brucie and Brendan had a pop at Craig last year, he was perfectly in his rights to say what he said. I enjoyed watching Brendan's reaction though. Strictly is an entertainment programme and people should not take it too seriously. When the show's over it's all forgotten and we have a laugh and a drink in the bar. We all get on so well, just like a big family.

Will you be doing anything else whilst Strictly is on?
Yes, I have got my single out now and my album is out in November, so I am very busy. I love it though and I feel so lucky to be doing what I am doing right now.

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Bruno Tonioli

Talented choreographer Bruno Tonioli is, without a doubt, Strictly's most flamboyant judge.

Bruno lives and breathes dance and has worked with some of the biggest names in the industry, such as Elton John, Michael Jackson, Freddy Mercury and Tina Turner just to name a few!

Along with fellow Strictly judge Len Goodman, Bruno also appeared on the Eurovision Dance Contest as a judge to critique the dancing and currently makes frequent visits across the Atlantic to film Strictly's American equivalent, Dancing With The Stars.

Q&A

What are you looking forward to most about this year's Strictly?
I think this year is going to be an exciting one. We have got a new set, new dancers and the line up is fantastic. This year's changes will spice up the proceedings. One thing about Strictly is it is unpredictable. You never know how it is going to play out and that is really exciting. I always approach Strictly as if I have never done it before and that works for me as I just react to what I see.

You always come out with lots of funny one-liners. Will you be planning to do the same this year?!
I don't plan it. They just get me going. On stage I become like a devil! I am always fair and I am definitely honest. I never have any plans in my mind beforehand as to what I am going to say.

What are you looking for this year?
I want everything sexed up more and I think it will be. Expectations do get higher, but that is like the Olympics. You watch them and you want a better Olympics the next time with more records broken. Strictly is the same thing.

Do you think you over step the mark as judges?
Sometimes things come out and I realise what I have said. I try not to be offensive, but if I have something to say, I say it. We are not scripted and you can get carried away with the moment.

Do you get on?
I adore all the judges. We are all really good friends. I get on with Len and Craig, as well as Alesha. I felt sorry for her last year over the comments made about her. It was unfair and heavy handed.

Who is the vainest judge?
Craig has more make-up than Alesha! My goodness me. I am so tired flying in from LA the day before, I am like 'fix me up'. You want to look good for the public.

Alongside Len, you are a judge on the American version. Do you notice any differences in the two shows?
The format is the same but the American one is more showbiz. But that is because the British show is traditional. I love working on both of them and if it had not been for the UK one, I would not be working in America. I don't want to give either up.

Is it better to be a young contestant?
Up until now the younger people have won, but you never know and this year could be different. It's great to have a good balance of characters.

What advice do you have for this year's celebrities?
Enjoy yourself, have a good time, put the work in and learn a new skill. Strictly is a fun show. I don't mind if they answer back either. They are under pressure and sometimes they react. The contestants should never take themselves seriously though.

And finally, do you have a dream guest celebrity?
David Beckham! He looks great and he would be brilliant but sadly he is too busy to do it. Posh and Becks – that would be the ultimate signing for sure!