Mad About Celebrity

Last night ex-Footballers’ Wives star Laila Rouass and her partner Anton du Beke went out of Strictly Come Dancing after facing the dance off with Ricky Whittle and his partner Natalie Lowe. It was no contest really. Had they faced Chris and Ola they might have stood a tiny chance, but not against Ricky. I thought the judges were unfair to criticize her dancing, particularly Darcey Bussell, who as the newcomer surprised me with her remarks.

With all racist accusations against Anton put firmly behind them, I thought they looked better and better together each time and have given us weeks of entertainment. I am truly sorry to see them go. And I’m not remotely biased because Laila’s cousin is a friend of my son.

Then tonight we had the X Factor quarter final. At last we are left with four people who can actually sing and no longer have to endure the ‘entertainment’ factor of the likes of Jedward – a polite way of saying they just can’t sing. In fact I can sing better with two glasses of wine and a karaoke tape.

When the results were announced and it was clear we were losing Danyl, I have to confess I shed a tear. Only a small one I hasten to add, but a tear nevertheless. He was so gracious in defeat, no shouting or crying or the usual X Factor histrionics. Maybe he knows they’ll be queueing up to give him a recording contract anyway. Lots of runners up have done better than the eventual winners – Leon where are you now? And Steve er what was his name? Michelle McManus – or was that Pop Idol. Hey, what’s the difference. My money’s on Ollie.

Finally. Is this a wind up? Apparently the bella Gino and Stuart ‘Hollyoaks’ Manning have been arrested on animal cruelty charges after killing and eating a rat on the I’m a Celebrity show.

Ch Insp David Oshannessy, from the RSPCA in New South Wales, told BBC Radio 5 live there was a “code of practice” which dictated how animals could be used in theatrical productions and films. The rat murder happened on a day no animals were featuring in the show, so there wasn’t an officer there. He went onto say, “The killing of a rat for a performance is not acceptable. The concern is this was done purely for the cameras.” I suppose eating live insects, squashing them to death in small enclosed spaces and eating kangaroos testicles (well someone killed it first) don’t count.

Danyl and Simon on X Factor

As if athlete Jade Johnson leaving Strictly Come Dancing after tearing a ligament in her knee wasn’t enough drama for one week – how will she compete in the 2012 Olympics? – Eastenders actor Ricky Groves was booted off after admitting he mucked up his routine. The judges commented that ‘there were just too many mistakes’ and he ‘kept going wrong’. Ricky himself, having been in the dance off three times, was resigned to the fact that it was his turn to go.

How much more drama can we take? Even Laila Rouass, who injured her ankle last week, and had to dance the Waltz with partner Anton du Beke after having had just two days to train, is obviously performing under par. The couple were in the dance off with Ricky, but Laila is obviously the better dancer in spite of her injury.

Hollyoaks actor Ricky Whittle was the highest scorer of the night, but my money is still on Ali and ‘cheesy American’ Brian Fortuna as Craig called him last night on It Takes Two.

My old ballroom dance teacher once told me that he had met Anton du Beke and that he thought he was a bit dim. Shock horror!

Well Freddie, if you’re listening, you were obviously right. I don’t believe the man was being intentionally racist with his comments. I think, as you said, he is just a bit dim.

Perhaps Max Clifford can help him get out of this. Maybe someone should have advised him (and many others before him including relatives of ex-Prime Ministers and numerous members of the Royal family) when to keep your mouth firmly shut.

Or face the consequences when you put your well-heeled foot in it.

Photograph from Mail Online

So why have I included these three things together in one post you may ask. Well, let me explain.

Story number one – Peter Andre, it appears, is getting over his loss/divorce by replacing sex with chocolate. His fans apparently, keep sending him shedloads of the stuff. He told OK! magazine: “I’ve replaced it, I’ve got my chocolate, which the fans keep on bringing me. I’m living on it!” The biggest surprize is that he still has so many fans.

Story number two – some viewers (who are you, please reveal yourselves – see the pun?) have been ‘outraged’ by the skimpy costumes being worn by the professional dancers on Strictly Come Dancing and even by some of the contestants.

So where am I going with this? Well, I hope that none of the professional dancers will get over their loss (ie being ousted from the competition) by replacing dance with chocolate or we’ll all be needing wide screen TV next year.

But for now I think they look gorgeous and maybe we are all just a little jealous. Though to be fair, us girlies have Ricky and Rav and James Jordan (always my favourite – doing THAT rumba with footballers’ wife Zoe), all flashing their chests.

And the funniest moment this week? Not Len as usual, but Tess asking Anton if he was going to wax his chest to which he mumbled a reply similar to ‘Not ruddy likely’ under his breath. Good on you Anton! Just stay off the chocolates though if you want to keep flashing.