During this past week, I have had the privilege to discuss this year's BBC Strictly Come Dancing with their Online Presenter, Nikki Dean.
She has been a huge part of the Strictly Family for 4 years and it's safe to say, she's a tad obsessed with the whole show.
Here's the full interview in all it's unedited glory for you Strictly fans to have a gander over at your leisure.
She has been a huge part of the Strictly Family for 4 years and it's safe to say, she's a tad obsessed with the whole show.
Here's the full interview in all it's unedited glory for you Strictly fans to have a gander over at your leisure.
Andy: Hi, Nikki. Thanks for taking your time in doing this with me, especially as you're busy with BBC Strictly Come Dancing. Are you looking forward to the new series?
Nikki: Hi Andy, I think anyone who knows me will vouch for how excited I am about Strictly. It's my favourite time of the year and when January kicks in I'm already on countdown to the next series when I can get a full on sequin and glitterball fix!
I've been shimmying and singing to the theme tune for the past fortnight wherever I go (with a few funny looks I might add) now the time is almost upon us for what looks to be one of the best series yet!
Andy: Singing to the theme tune, is this an admission that you've made your own lyrics to it?
Nikki: Ha ha! If only, no afraid not! I am an avid Whistler so it's usually a combination of whistling, humming, da-da-da-ing and a shimmy or two!
Andy: There's a lot of changes to Strictly this year, the biggest one being Sir Bruce Forsyth stepping down for the live shows. How will this change the dynamics of not only on Television but the working environment backstage without having the figurative "Daddy" around?
Nikki: There is a lot of change this year, and I for one will miss Brucey - he is Mr Strictly after all- but I also think it makes everything exciting too. A change is as good as a rest so they say and the dynamics of Tess & Claudia will work really well and will add an exciting edge to the series. He'll be missed but the team at Strictly is so full of talent in front of, and behind, the camera that fans of the show needn't worry.
We'll be back with the usual Strictly sparkle - it's so exciting to see how this series will unfold with Tess & Claudia at the helm and the strong line up we have this year.
Andy: With that being said, does this mean the girls are taking over?
Nikki: Not at all ;) although girls do rock! There's plenty of male talent in the strictly family behind the scenes and in front of the camera - from the amazing props team, technical staff, production team through to the male pros and celebrities.
Andy: Speaking of the celebrities, how do you keep yourself impartial when you must have a favourite year after year?
Nikki: Well I genuinely have the most respect for all the celebrities who take part as it's not an easy ride! The amount of hours they have to rehearse is insane on top of their 'regular' job - so I love them all for that already before I even meet them.
Of course you get a soft spot for some - same as you would with any job - and I get to see them behind the scenes so you see a certain vulnerability too when they're nervous before they go out to perform so it changes all the time ... They're just ordinary people like you and I at the end of the day juggling life and responsibilities and I've genuinely really liked all the celebrities I've interviewed who've taken part.
But I won't be sharing who my favourites have been! Ha ha - though it tends to be the big personalities who love a good natter like me :)
Andy: I can see you like to have a good natter, Nikki. Have you ever been starstruck during your time at Strictly?
Nikki: No, not really- although I was made up when I met the Fonz from happy days when I interviewed him after his red button commentary as I watched him as a kid :) he was ace!They're all normal people really although they live extraordinary lives. I love learning about people and their stories and it's fascinating to meet the celebrities from all walks of life on a fabulous and exciting journey - I feel very privileged to be able to meet all these ace people in my job and ask cheeky questions :)
Andy: We have 3 new professional dancers starting with Strictly this year, are they settling in nicely?
Nikki: Well I've not been lucky enough to meet them yet but I can't wait!
I've been following them on twitter along with my fellow Strictly fans and they look to be settling in well - I'm loving all the fun group photos of the pros.
The pro dancers are all so lovely and of course we had new pro dancers last year so they know how it is - plus a lot of them already know each other previously so they'll be great.
I think it helps too once they're in their couples as they can look after each other and throw themselves into rehearsals.
Andy: Am sure they can't wait to meet you too, Nikki. Are there any cheeky wee secrets about this year's Strictly that you could maybe let me in on? I'm sure my readers won't say a word so you'll be safe with all of us.
Nikki: You rascal - nice try! You'll have to watch my backstage reports for any secret reveals :)I can say though that I think this series will be one of the best ever - the line up is super duper and I can't wait!!
Andy: Well, you can't blame me for trying. That wraps up our interview. Thank you for your time in talking with me. I wish you the best of luck with the forthcoming BBC Strictly Come Dancing series.
Nikki: Hi Andy, I think anyone who knows me will vouch for how excited I am about Strictly. It's my favourite time of the year and when January kicks in I'm already on countdown to the next series when I can get a full on sequin and glitterball fix!
I've been shimmying and singing to the theme tune for the past fortnight wherever I go (with a few funny looks I might add) now the time is almost upon us for what looks to be one of the best series yet!
Andy: Singing to the theme tune, is this an admission that you've made your own lyrics to it?
Nikki: Ha ha! If only, no afraid not! I am an avid Whistler so it's usually a combination of whistling, humming, da-da-da-ing and a shimmy or two!
Andy: There's a lot of changes to Strictly this year, the biggest one being Sir Bruce Forsyth stepping down for the live shows. How will this change the dynamics of not only on Television but the working environment backstage without having the figurative "Daddy" around?
Nikki: There is a lot of change this year, and I for one will miss Brucey - he is Mr Strictly after all- but I also think it makes everything exciting too. A change is as good as a rest so they say and the dynamics of Tess & Claudia will work really well and will add an exciting edge to the series. He'll be missed but the team at Strictly is so full of talent in front of, and behind, the camera that fans of the show needn't worry.
We'll be back with the usual Strictly sparkle - it's so exciting to see how this series will unfold with Tess & Claudia at the helm and the strong line up we have this year.
Andy: With that being said, does this mean the girls are taking over?
Nikki: Not at all ;) although girls do rock! There's plenty of male talent in the strictly family behind the scenes and in front of the camera - from the amazing props team, technical staff, production team through to the male pros and celebrities.
Andy: Speaking of the celebrities, how do you keep yourself impartial when you must have a favourite year after year?
Nikki: Well I genuinely have the most respect for all the celebrities who take part as it's not an easy ride! The amount of hours they have to rehearse is insane on top of their 'regular' job - so I love them all for that already before I even meet them.
Of course you get a soft spot for some - same as you would with any job - and I get to see them behind the scenes so you see a certain vulnerability too when they're nervous before they go out to perform so it changes all the time ... They're just ordinary people like you and I at the end of the day juggling life and responsibilities and I've genuinely really liked all the celebrities I've interviewed who've taken part.
But I won't be sharing who my favourites have been! Ha ha - though it tends to be the big personalities who love a good natter like me :)
Andy: I can see you like to have a good natter, Nikki. Have you ever been starstruck during your time at Strictly?
Nikki: No, not really- although I was made up when I met the Fonz from happy days when I interviewed him after his red button commentary as I watched him as a kid :) he was ace!They're all normal people really although they live extraordinary lives. I love learning about people and their stories and it's fascinating to meet the celebrities from all walks of life on a fabulous and exciting journey - I feel very privileged to be able to meet all these ace people in my job and ask cheeky questions :)
Andy: We have 3 new professional dancers starting with Strictly this year, are they settling in nicely?
Nikki: Well I've not been lucky enough to meet them yet but I can't wait!
I've been following them on twitter along with my fellow Strictly fans and they look to be settling in well - I'm loving all the fun group photos of the pros.
The pro dancers are all so lovely and of course we had new pro dancers last year so they know how it is - plus a lot of them already know each other previously so they'll be great.
I think it helps too once they're in their couples as they can look after each other and throw themselves into rehearsals.
Andy: Am sure they can't wait to meet you too, Nikki. Are there any cheeky wee secrets about this year's Strictly that you could maybe let me in on? I'm sure my readers won't say a word so you'll be safe with all of us.
Nikki: You rascal - nice try! You'll have to watch my backstage reports for any secret reveals :)I can say though that I think this series will be one of the best ever - the line up is super duper and I can't wait!!
Andy: Well, you can't blame me for trying. That wraps up our interview. Thank you for your time in talking with me. I wish you the best of luck with the forthcoming BBC Strictly Come Dancing series.
Don't you just love her? She was a dream to talk to. I am so glad that my first interview of this kind went smoothly as this did.
You can watch BBC Strictly Come Dancing's launch show, which airs Sunday 7 September at 20:00 on BBC One.
If you'd like to follow us on twitter then please do. My link is on top of this page and Nikki's twitter handle is @NikkiDeano.
You can watch BBC Strictly Come Dancing's launch show, which airs Sunday 7 September at 20:00 on BBC One.
If you'd like to follow us on twitter then please do. My link is on top of this page and Nikki's twitter handle is @NikkiDeano.
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