Strictly dancers Denise van Outen and James Jordan make a Kentish pair
by Anna White
When Denise Van Outen twirls onto our screens in this season's
Strictly a small studio in Maidstone will have played a part.
TV presenter Denise has been named as one of the famous faces in
this year’s series of the hit BBC show and will be hitting the
ballroom with professional dancer James Jordan.
The couple have been practising their routines for Strictly Come
Dancing at a top secret location - which we can reveal is Margaret
Preedy’s Dance Studio in Tonbridge Road.
The school’s location is handy for James as he now lives in the
borough with wife Ola, who is also a trained dancer on the
programme. The couple previously lived in Kings Hill.
His celebrity partner, who presented The Big Breakfast in 1997,
lives in Biddenden with husband Lee Mead.
Margaret taught James, 33, when he was a youngster and can’t
resist giving him the odd tip when he’s at the studios.
She said: “I have been helping them a little bit - I can’t help
it - but they are working really well together. They are a good
match. Denise is really nice and wants to work hard. She’s got good
movement.”
James is known for being outspoken, especially with the judges,
but Margaret said 38-year-old Denise is giving him as good as she
gets.
The smooth mover, who was born in Gillingham, has celebrated
success on previous series of the flagship show, reaching third
place with comedian Pamela Stephenson in 2010.
Ola, who turned 30 this week, will this year cha cha cha with
actor Sid Owen, best known as Ricky Butcher from EastEnders. Ola
won the trophy in 2009 with sports presenter Chris Hollins.
Strictly Come Dancing, presented by Sir Bruce Forsyth and Tess
Daly, returns to BBC 1 tonight at 9pm and continues tomorrow
at 6.30pm.
02/10/12
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