60 SECONDS: Camilla Dallerup
Camilla Dallerup found fame on Strictly Come Dancing before her dance partner and boyfriend, Brendan Cole, dumped her for his then dance-mate Natasha Kaplinsky. Camilla made it to the semi-finals of Series 3 with new partner, chef James Martin. She teams up with Brendan again on Saturday night for the first-ever Eurovision Dance Contest, on BBC1 at 9pm.
Is the Eurovision Dance Contest a spoof?
No, it’s a serious competition. It’ll be similar to the Eurovision Song Contest and there are 16 countries involved. You’ll see professionals dancing together, amateurs dancing together and maybe even a professional dancing with a celebrity. You won’t know what to expect. There will be highly qualified couples from each country.
Can contestants do whatever crazy dance they want?
Each country has two dances. The first they choose themselves and the second should reflect their country, such as a Greek dance – a song that represents the country.
Does that mean you’re going to be morris dancing?
[Sighs] I’ve heard that before. We’re not sure if people watching in Europe would vote for that. We’re coming up with something more 2007.
People watch Eurovision for a laugh. Will there be drag queens and weirdos in the dancing version?
No, people will be taking it seriously. The people on the show will have done their own version of Strictly Come Dancing in their own countries. This will be a serious and quite cool version of Eurovision. I hope people will like it.
You’re teaming up with your ex Brendan Cole again. Are you looking forward to it?
Yes, it’s going to be a celebration of the eight years we had together and we’re going to put all our experiences and emotions into the rumba. It’s the first dance we’ll do.
The least gifted dancer? That’s not a nice way of putting it but David Dickinson needed a lot of time
Did you laugh when he split up with Natasha Kaplinsky?
No.
Who was the least gifted celebrity you danced with on Strictly Come Dancing?
That’s not a nice way of putting it but David Dickinson needed a lot of time. Ray [Fearon] was the best dancer but he didn’t have a long journey. James [Martin] didn’t know anything about dancing but he had a fantastic journey and ended up being able to waltz and foxtrot at the end.
Do you sew the sequins on yourself?
No, I have all my stage clothes made for me in Surrey. I have some built-in pants, so I’m never in an embarrassing situation when I’m doing lifts.
Who would be your ideal celebrity partner?
David Beckham. He’d be amazing. I’d like to see if he could dance as well as he plays football.
Did James Martin give you any cooking tips?
Yes, he taught me how to cook a very nice risotto. Cooking’s a struggle for me; I still burn things.
What’s the best thing about coming from Denmark?
We have a lot of space there so when you’re a child, you can be outside and run around a lot. You’re not kept in a concrete city.
Are you patriotic?
Not for Denmark; my home is here now. I felt very proud when I had to hold the British flag up for the pictures for this contest.
What have you got coming up?
I don’t do competitions any more. I’ve just had my first acting role, which was in Basil Brush. I’d like to do more acting and presenting, anything to do with performing. Obviously, a dancer’s life isn’t forever and I’d like to continue to perform in some way. I love the adrenaline rush of being on stage.
How long have you got left?
It’s difficult to tell; you have to listen to what your body is telling you. Some people go on dancing until their mid-30s or 40s. It’s up to how the individual feels.
Are you feeling perky at the moment?
I’m feeling young, yes.
What is the worst job you’ve had?
When I was 15 years old in Denmark, I got a ‘modelling’ job. I was so thrilled but it turned out that I was to be a bellgirl in a department store. You know, like a bellboy. I had a silly round hat and an awful outfit and had to tell people where the car park was. My friends came to the store and I had to face them. ‘Oh, is this your modelling job?’ they said. I had taken the job, so I finished it to the best of my ability.
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