Columnist Gethin Jones talks keeping up with Strictly Come Dancing partner Chloe Hewitt
The It Takes Two presenter on training for the Christmas special with the show's newest dancer and offers his support to Ed Balls
Hello again!
It’s time for the Strictly Christmas Special to start filming – and boy are we all getting nervous.
I think Melvin, Frankie, Pamela, Ainsley and Denise are all at different stages of their training - but I know we're all gonna have a great time no matter what. The nerves actually help in a way.
The whole experience has brought back a lot of memories of being on the show - it's FULL ON juggling everything around your rehearsal schedule.
Fortunately, my partner Chloe is so energetic and positive that her good vibes are infectious and keep me going.
This week, professional Neil Jones popped in to see us.
Chloe and Neil decided that we should start "doubling up".
Basically running the routine twice, straight after one another - the idea being that it builds the stamina, so when it comes to the big day, we can dance and smile.
Rather than dance and grimace. Me that is, not Chloe – I think she finds it easy…
So the good news is it's getting there, although we have a few things to tweak and tighten up for sure.
But the thing is, I'm not sure I'll be ever happy with it! But it's about trying to do the best performance on the night.
I can pick up steps, but putting the body and arms in the right place at the right time - well that's the challenge.
Back to the current Strictly competition, being at the show in Blackpool last weekend, I think it's fair to say that everyone performed the best they could.
I thought Greg did a brilliant job of the quickstep - but the judges decided that Claudia just had the edge in the dance off.
I keep saying it, but this year is so wide open!
Also a quick word on Ed Balls - where some have said he should leave the show because there are better dancers - I just don't understand that.
He has every right to dance his heart out each week! It's down to the viewers, right?
He makes me laugh, we were all chatting in wardrobe and he starts trying on some outfits, so we're talking with his head in an American football helmet (amazing what you can find in there!) - totally normal!
You can see how much he's enjoying the whole experience. He came down from the ceiling on a piano that was on fire- I mean, what more do you want on a Saturday night?
As the competition gets tougher, it's only right that I find the right person to ask about this weekend…so here’s a catch up with Strictly's newest firecracker, my partner for the Christmas Special, Chloe Hewitt.
We record the Christmas special very soon. I promise I won’t listen to your answer, how am I doing?!
I'm super proud of where you have come from day one of training. We are having so much fun in the training room and I can't wait to perform on the night.
You’ve done so many massive group numbers on this series already, but how you feeling about your debut partner performance? (Chloe wasn’t paired up with a celebrity for the main show this year)
I'm so excited to make my debut with a partner on the show and I'm really happy to be sharing this experience with you, Geth. You’ve been a fantastic student and so easy to get along with which has made my life a lot easier.
Has it always been your dream to be on Strictly?
Totally, I’ve wanted to be there since I watched the first ever series when I was eight years old. I saw all the fabulous dancers and the incredible glittery outfits and said 'I want to be on that show one day' and my dreams have come true.
Ok, let's get to it. You see them a lot close up, so which celebs have really impressed you this year?
Not being biased at all but the little Pocket Rockets that are AJ & Claudia are impressing me each week as Claudia is growing in confidence each and every week she steps into the Strictly ballroom.
Claudia is very versatile between the two styles which is a strong asset to have. Also, Ore has impressed me hugely with his dance ability he's brought his A-game each week and never fails to impress.
Judge Rinder has a Rumba on sat, Louise has a waltz. Are the slower dancers harder to score high on?
I wouldn't say that the slower dances are harder to score higher on as I believe that it is all about the story telling. If the emotion and story is clear to the judges and the people watching at home then the dance will be a huge success.
Finally, can I have tomorrow off? My legs hurt...
No rest for the wicked we have a show to do. Man up!
See Gethin Jones every Friday with Zoe ball on It Takes Two, BBC Two, 6.30pm