EXCLUSIVE: Strictly star Angela Scanlon pushes back on ‘fix’ claims over her Irish dancing past
Strictly favorite Angela Scanlon has hit back at ‘fix’ claims about her Irish dancing past, insisting it has given her no advantage when it comes to ‘salsa hips’.
The BBC presenter was told by fans that she had an unfair advantage over her fellow contestants because she had trained professionally with the O’Shea Irish Dance Company in 2001.
But Ms Scanlon, 39, pointed out to the Mail that her previous routines were solo, while on Strictly she has a partner, Carlos Gu.
She said: “Most people grow up in Ireland doing Irish dancing. But I’ve never done ballroom, I’ve certainly never done a rumba or any of these dance styles.
“You’re dancing alone and it’s very stiff.”
Having her say: Strictly favorite Angela Scanlon has hit back at ‘fix’ claims about her Irish dancing past, insisting it has given her no advantage when it comes to ‘salsa hips’
Fix: Ms Scanlon, 39, pointed out to the email that her previous routines were solo, while on Strictly she has a partner, Carlos Gu
“So the salsa hips, I don’t know how we’re going to achieve that. I have to take into account my partner’s limbs and presence, so we’ll see.’
Ms Scanlon was originally from Co Meath in Ireland and trained with Irish company O’Shea when she was 18 years old in 2001.
The dance troupe competed internationally and Ms. Scanlon represented them in competitions, qualifying her as a professional dancer.
She was later hired to perform in the Irish Thunder show – a celebration of culture through dance – in Virginia, USA.
But Ms. Scanlon, who works with the professional Carlos Gu, gave up her dancing career for a career in media.
She also revealed that she’s been kicking her fake tan habit for 15 years, saying, “I noticed a little flash on my legs before, and they’re clear, which I’m usually fine with.”
‘But tomorrow they might say, ‘We need to put a lick of paint on you,’ because I’m very pale.
“I like seeing all the colors and flavors, so I’ll just stick with tan-less.”
The One Show host’s response to the ‘fix’ accusations came as Billy Elliot star Layton Williams, also in this year’s line-up, was forced to defend his professional dancing past on social media.
New venture: Ms. Scanlon, who works with the professional Carlos Gu, gave up her dancing career for a career in media
The 29-year-old is reportedly ‘already annoying’ Strictly fans due to his ‘overly camp’ behavior during the Strictly launch show last weekend.
One person said on Twitter: “He’s already a professional dancer,” referring to his role as Billy Elliot on the West End when he was 12, for which he trained professionally.
The actor responded on social media: “Babes, they didn’t teach me Latin dance. So check your facts.
“I just think it’s funny when people think they ‘know it,’ but they’re just a hater.”
Mr Williams also starred in the musical Everybody’s Talking About Jamie from 2019 to 2022.
Strictly Come Dancing 2023: Who are the couples?
Nigel Harman and Katya Jones
Bobby Brazier and Diane Buswell
Annabel Croft and Johannes Radebe
Zara McDermott and Graziano Di Prima
Amanda Abbington and Giovanni Pernice
Angela Rippon and Kai Widdrington
Krishnan Guru-Murthy and Lauren Oakley
Angela Scanlon and Carlos Gu
Ellie Leach and Vito Coppola
Adam Thomas and Luba Mushtuk
Jody Cundy and Jowita Przystał
Layton Williams and Nikita Kuzmin
Nikita Kanda and Gorka Marquez
Les Dennis and Nancy Xu
Eddie Kadi and Karen Hauer
