Sam Quek wants to win Strictly Come Dancing: ‘I’m not scared to say I’m competitive’

As a seasoned movie critic who has seen his fair share of dance competitions and sports documentaries, I can’t help but be intrigued by this year’s Strictly Come Dancing contender, Sam Quek. With her Olympic gold medal under her belt and a competitive spirit that refuses to be tamed, she is poised to bring the heat to the ballroom.


This year, among the famous participants of the Olympics, who also includes swimmer Tom Dean, former hockey player Sam Quek aims to apply her competitive spirit in the Strictly Come Dancing dance floor.

Could professional dancer Nikita Kuzmin channel her competitive spirit enough to carry her through to the final round of the competition?

Sam, how did you learn you’d got the Strictly gig?

Sam Quek: My agent Sara called me while I was on my way to Popcats, a tiny dance class for youngsters, accompanied by my kids. They were talking away, and I said, “Hold on now, everyone! This call is important as it’s from Sara, who rarely calls out of the blue.

Momentarily excited, I headed over to my parents’ place where my spouse was mending their oven. The four of us gathered in the hallway, and I announced, “I have some news to share.” Tom blurted out, “Are you pregnant again?” Given how close my last pregnancies were, my children. I replied, “No, I’m going on Dancing with the Stars!

Are you incredibly driven and competitive, considering you’ve earned an Olympic gold medal in field hockey, represented both England and Great Britain a total of 125 times on the international stage? It wouldn’t be out of place to ask about the level of your competitiveness.

As a matter of fact, I embrace my competitive nature. I don’t shy away from admitting it. Be it racing go-karts, playing football in the backyard, or even engaging in a game of tiddlywinks with my children, I always find myself striving to be the best.

Is there anyone who wouldn’t want to emerge victorious in a competition? After all, we enter these events with the hope of winning. However, this doesn’t necessarily mean I believe I’ll win or consider myself the best. It’s more like, would you prefer to win or not? In an ideal scenario, when dreaming, do you aspire for victory? Currently, I’m not a great dancer, but I’m open to learning. I expect to fall under the category of “most improved.

In a friendly manner, Nikita Kuzmun expresses: Your talent shines, even though dance isn’t your strongest suit. And that’s perfectly fine! That’s exactly why we have this performance for you.

Sam Quek wants to win Strictly Come Dancing: ‘I’m not scared to say I’m competitive’

If you should emerge victorious, which trophy would be the most prominent? Amongst the other trophies you’ve earned, several could vie for the central position.

Sam: What, the Richard Osman’s House of Games trophy?

I was thinking more the sporting medals.

Sam: The Glitterball is where it’s at, right? I mean, it’s the most glamorous award, isn’t it? Yet, I can’t spot it just now. There’s an old saying: Aim for the moon and you might end up among the stars.

Bearing all that in mind, how far are you going to get? Call it!

In the realm of cinematic critiques, allow me to share my thoughts on Nikita: This film is a rollercoaster ride, my friends. The pitfall here lies in attempting to predict the twists and turns more than a single week ahead. You might find yourself thinking, “Wow, I’ve got something big coming up in week four.” But, just as you think that, poof! You’re gone by week three. So, indeed, always keep your focus on the here and now. There is no finish line; for now, we’re just starting with week one.

It’s possible that you’ll have three more months of this experience. You’ve both faced a lot of attention, and this season of Strictly, being its 20th anniversary, is particularly significant. How do you handle all the positive and negative comments, and focus on your dance?

Sam: What truly matters for me is having a strong, reliable group of people around me. Beyond that circle or boundary, nothing else seems important. In my past experience with football, I’ve found the work environment can be quite tough. So, I used to let it affect me. But over time, you learn to toughen up and not let external factors sway you.

Are you a dancer at home?

In the morning, I’m among those who turn up the tunes and have a dance-off with the kids in our kitchen, using music as an outlet for my feelings. If I’m feeling great, it becomes instant background party music. And when I’m having a tough day, the emotional melodies resonate deeply with me.

Sam Quek wants to win Strictly Come Dancing: ‘I’m not scared to say I’m competitive’

Hi there! I’ve heard that Sam is open to guidance – a truly admirable quality for any athlete. Given her status as an elite athlete, I can’t help but wonder if this might provide a slight edge during the training process. What are your thoughts on this, Nikita?

I respectfully disagree with you there. It’s true that every guest on our show brings their unique personality or backstory. Each year, we witness talented actresses who deliver outstanding performances, skillfully bringing their roles to life.

Other contestants may possess a multitude of unique talents. Each individual brings something special to the competition, which is what makes them stand out.

What’s Sam’s thing that she brings?

Nikita: You’re looking for an individual who is organized and kind, with excellent listening skills. Finding such a person is like a wish fulfilled, and that’s exactly what Sam is.

Sam: Working with Nikita is similar to being coached in a sport. Some trainers just click with you more effectively.

Nikita: In our discussions about dancing, it’s important to approach each performance with an open perspective. Not everything we encounter will align with our views, but some aspects will be agreeable. It’s similar to a relationship or a marriage, don’t you think? We’re in a sense ‘married’ in dance.

This is your dance husband.

Nikita: Dance husband! I like that.

Sam: Congratulations to us.

A condensed version of this interview appears in last week’s issue of TopMob magazine.

Strictly Come Dancing continues at 6:15pm this Saturday on BBC One and iPlayer.

As a cinephile on the lookout for hidden gems, I’m thrilled to share that it’s now possible to acquire past editions of the illustrious TopMob magazine through our freshly introduced back issues service.

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2024-09-27 21:34