As a seasoned reviewer with decades of experience under my belt, I must say that the upcoming Strictly Come Dancing season promises to be a captivating spectacle. The addition of Olympic gold medalist Tom Dean to the lineup is undeniably an exciting development, and his partner, professional dancer Nadiya Bychkova, seems equally thrilled.
After triumphantly securing a gold medal at the Paris Olympics, swimmer Tom Dean has decided to pack away his swimming trunks and goggles temporarily. Instead, he is now preparing for a different kind of performance by trading them in for snug trousers and dance shoes as he embarks on his new venture – Strictly Come Dancing.
Will he and his dance partner Nadiya Bychkova create a large wave of success? Can triumph in swimming lead to triumph on the dance stage? Essentially, are they going to flounder or thrive?
Tom, congratulations on winning gold at the Olympics! Did you not want some time off?
Tom: I’ve always anticipated a lengthy hiatus following the Paris Olympics. An Olympic cycle is typically quite prolonged, and it requires considerable sacrifice. You dedicate six days a week to one location. My aim is to participate for Team GB in LA again and potentially win more medals. However, to maintain longevity in the sport, I need to mix things up, as I yearn to regain my intense passion for it. And this opportunity seems as far removed from the pool as possible!
If given the chance for Strictly Dance Show, I would eagerly participate. It’s challenging my body in ways I haven’t experienced before, and for the first time ever, I find myself with sore shins. While swimming and dancing are both physical activities, dancing requires an extra touch of style. In the pool, you can appear exhausted without anyone noticing, but on the dance floor, every effort is visible. I plan to apply my usual dedication and training regimen, trading 5,000 meters in the pool for 5,000 steps instead.
Nadiya: It’s way more than that!
When did you find out you were going to be on Strictly?
As an ardent film enthusiast, I received the astonishing news while immersed in an Olympic training camp. In that moment, I couldn’t resist the urge to share my excitement with my mother. She erupted in pure joy, and it seems as if half of Maidenhead, where I was raised, is eagerly anticipating attending the upcoming performance.
Nadiya, is Tom taking home another win?
Nadiya appreciates the commitment from her partner, ensuring they’ll proceed cautiously day by day to ensure his ankles, knees, and feet are in optimal condition. You wouldn’t want to see her feet, being a dancer – hers are quite fragile. Tom’s feet require more durability.
Tom: I’ve been in the pool for far too long and haven’t spent enough time on dry land! No one could teach me better than a world champion. As we’re both quite tall, we can create a smooth, flowing dance style that glides across the floor, which should be quite impressive.
Nadiya: I believe he’ll look fantastic while dancing in the ballroom. He has these extended limbs that we’ll be twirling across the Strictly dance floor. It took me aback when he mentioned his preferred dance was salsa. I exclaimed, “Wow, I didn’t anticipate that!” I’m looking forward to it.
You let it slip that you were going on Strictly while at the Olympics – how did that happen?
Tom: I got a bit thrown off since I assumed the conversation would be about race strategies after we won the relay. But then they caught me off guard by asking, “Are you looking forward to dancing?” I couldn’t help but react. I had seen some news articles and even received a text from my agent… I thought for a moment, “Oh no, am I in trouble now?” Fortunately, I didn’t receive too harsh of a reprimand.
Have you had the fake tan experience?
Tom: Absolutely! I’ll never achieve a deep tan, but we struck a balanced tone quite well. I set up my tent next to Nick Knowles. I occasionally looked over, and he was fully soaking up the sun. I only unzipped my tent to my waist, and I caught a glimpse of him in his snug underwear. I exclaimed, “Wow!
What’s your prior dance experience?
Tom: When I was around four or five years old, I took a ballet class with my sisters and I was the only boy. There’s actually a video of it, and in it, I’m wearing a white vest, short pants, and the ballet shoes are still too small for me. All I can recall is being told to focus on my “good toes” versus my “bad toes.
Nadiya: Aw, my daughter dances and that’s what she says!
Tom: When I’m out and about with my friends, a little two-step might come out.
Nadiya: I think it’s amazing that a young man like Tom wants to learn how to dance.
A condensed version of this interview appears in the latest issue of TopMob.
Strictly Come Dancing continues at 7pm this Saturday on BBC One and iPlayer.
Have you heard that we now offer the opportunity to purchase past editions of TopMob magazine through our newly introduced back issues service?
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2024-09-20 10:34