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Strictly Come Dancing semi-final exclusive: Brendan Cole, Vincent Simone and Camilla Dallerup put the boot in



The (sequinned) gloves are off. Viewers might think tonight’s Strictly Come Dancing semi-final is all about celebrity hoofers Rachel Stevens, Lisa Snowdon and Tom Chambers.

But their professional dance partners are just as desperate to make it to the glittering finale next weekend.

All three of them have experienced the highs and the lows, the happiness and the heartache of Strictly.

Tangoing trio Camilla, Brendan and Vincent each took a break from their hectic training schedules to reveal why they should get your vote tonight. Let the bitching begin!

VINCENT SIMONE

Vincent, 29, insists he and his dance partner, singer Rachel Stevens, 30, have the edge over the other couples. A place in the final will help ease the pain of seeing his girlfriend, dancing pro Flavia Cacace, fall for ex-EastEnder Matt di Angelo in last year’s series. Flavia and Matt are still together.


I feel confident Rachel and I will beat Tom and Camilla and Brendan and Lisa because we’re doing two passionate dances. And when it comes to passion, I do it best.

I am Italian so was born with passion. In fact, I invented it. Brendan and Lisa lack passion. Brendan tries hard, poor guy. But he can’t compete, there is no comparison.

As an actor, Tom can act passionate but it’s only convincing if you have complete confidence in your steps and he doesn’t have that. My passion isn’t acting – it’s second nature.

Tom has an advantage because it’s mostly women who vote and they often go for who they fancy. Still, everyone fancies me. I’ll try to wear an open, tight top to show off my body and to help win votes.

I would also have considered trying to seduce judge Arlene but there’s no need. I know she fancies me.

Lisa looks beautiful but she’s so tall that when she makes a mistake it looks like a big one. Rachel also looks beautiful and she and I are much smaller so we look more compact, more together. We become one.

I’ve paid a high price for being on Strictly, because last year the show split up Flavia and me. It wasn’t the best time of my life. So this is my time now. I have to win.

I’m happy to be in love again. I’ve got a new girlfriend, Susan, who works for a private jet company. But for now the girl on my mind is Rachel. We are training far longer than the others – but I can keep going all night.

BRENDAN COLE

Brendan, 32, won the first series of Strictly with his celeb partner Natasha Kaplinsky but also broke up with his dancer fiancée Camilla Dallerup. This time he partners DJ Lisa Snowdon, 37. He is engaged to model Zoe Hobbs.

I hear Vincent’s been saying he’s got an advantage because Arlene fancies him. He reckons she’s got the hots for him and he’s probably right. But I’m not going to resort to flirting to get me through.

I’m not going to bat my eyelashes at Craig or Bruno!

Vincent’s always flirting with the girls and if that’s his tactic then fair play to him.


He’s a great guy but I’d love nothing more for Camilla to make the final along with myself.

We started this Strictly thing together and have been through a lot so it would be cool to meet in the final.

I think it’s anybody’s game. There are three very equal couples in terms of ability.

A bit of the bad boy came back last weekend when I stormed off. I felt Austin had done a good salsa but our jive was of a similar standard and we got fewer points. I want things to be fair.

We’ve invested so much time, emotion and energy into this show for the last four or five months, it’s hard to take the knocks on the chin.

Lisa and I have had our fair share of dance-offs. After the second we were both quite low and thought our days were numbered. But we picked each other up and got on with it.

I’ve had to sacrifice time with Zoe. I haven’t seen her for the three days.

But she understands and we’re looking forward to Christmas together. It’ll be the first time my family and her family have met. It could be carnage...

CAMILLA DALLERUP

Camilla, 34, has reached the Strictly semi twice before but has never made it further. She had her heart broken during the first series when then-fiancé Brendan Cole started dirty dancing with Natasha Kaplinsky. Camilla, whose partner this time round is Holby City star Tom

Chambers, 31, is dating Hollyoaks actor Kevin Sacre, 30.

I’m not going to lie... if Brendan and I go to head to head in the final, it would be very, very nice to win. Oh yes! We’re friends now but to beat him would be amazing.

Getting to the final would mean more to me than I think anyone would understand. The first series was very hard for me. Very difficult. My relationship with Brendan broke down and my life fell apart.

But I’ve built myself back up again, I’m in a good place now and I’ve got a fantastic new man in my life. I’ve been touched by the public support and the icing on the cake would be making that final. I don’t normally get nervous but I’m shaking just thinking about it.

Tom and I have got two really good dances prepared but it’s down to the public now. It’s going to be the closest semi-final ever.

Tom and I have become close friends. Neither of us want it to end. He’s like a five-year-old at Christmas!

The judges have been constructive in their criticism. If it wasn’t for their nagging maybe Tom wouldn’t have improved so much. We still haven’t had a 10 from Craig though. If we get that – oh my God. I can’t even imagine how we’d react.

Away from Strictly I’ve been dating Kevin Sacre since June. He’s gone to play Aladdin in panto in Sheffield but he’ll be with me in spirit.

I’m still not over getting pipped at the post with Gethin Jones last year. We’d given our all and to have it snatched away was just horrible.
Mirror

All three of the remaining couples in Strictly Come Dancing are to compete in next week's final after a tie between Rachel and Lisa for first place.

Originally three couples were set to take part in the final, but this was reduced to two following the departure of John Sergeant.

WotsonTV

Bets chaos as Strictly elimination is cancelled

PUNTERS were left scratching their heads on Saturday night as the BBC bizarrely cancelled announcing the result ofthe Strictly Come Dancing semi-final and instead declared all three couples would go through to the final.

Bookmakers are expected to announce on Sunday how the decision will affect bets on the next couple to be eliminated.

RacingPost

Viewers’ fury at Strictly vote shambles: All three couples stay in after scoring bungle leaves Tom in certain dance-off
Mail

Strictly votes decision 'made on the spot', says finalist

Former Singer Rachel Stevens today refused to join criticism of Strictly Come Dancing bosses after a tie between two couples, including herself, caused chaos with the public votes.

WalesonLine

Strictly voters can get refunds

People who voted for contestants on Saturday's Strictly Come Dancing semi-final will be able to get their money back after all.

Show producers stopped the public voting after a mix-up with the scores and said that all three contestants would go through.

They said the votes already cast would roll over to the next week, but loads of people were unhappy and complained.

Later on Monday, the BBC released a statement explaining what would happen.

BBC bosses said they had worked with the show's producers, contestants, and an independent official to find the fairest way of dealing with the situation.

The combined scores of the judges and the audience will carry over to the first show of next week's two-show final.
For the first time ever, the audience votes will be revealed, and will be added together with the judges' scores, and shown on a big screen.

And once the first pair is eliminated from the competition, the two remaining couples will start from scratch and go head-to-head in Sunday's final.

A spokesperson said: "We will be offering refunds to anyone unhappy about their votes in the semi-final who would like to be reimbursed for their calls."

BBC