“Tommy, you’ve got the best seat in the house,” he said to the man who has stood by the dancefloor singing the dancers through their routines since the first series in May 2004.
“He was right,” the 60-year-old tells hello! in this exclusive interview ahead of his first solo tour. “I’ve been spoilt for 20 years with the best seat in the house.”
Tommy is one of the four original stars left on Strictly, along with presenter Tess Daly, judge Craig Revel Horwood and dancer turned judge Anton Du Beke.
“There’s definitely that thing between us when we pass each other and just think: ‘We’re really old aren’t we?’” he says, laughing.
While the singer shares a close bond with the whole cast, he particularly feels a connection with head judge Shirley Ballas.
“As a fe l low Scouser and someone who started in showbiz at a young age and around the same time, we’ve always had that extra connection. Shirley has such a positive influence on the show.”
Tommy’s soulful voice has been enjoyed by millions and helped create some of the show’s most memorable moments.
His own favourite memory is from 2008, when broadcaster John Sergeant and his pro partner Kristina Rihanoff danced the paso doble. “When John dragged Kristina across the dancefloor, you could see all of us singers with our mouths agape in the background,” he says. “There’s been many wonderful moments like that.”
SURPRISE SUCCESS
Diese Geschichte stammt aus der November 06, 2023-Ausgabe von HELLO! UK.
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Diese Geschichte stammt aus der November 06, 2023-Ausgabe von HELLO! UK.
Starten Sie Ihre 7-tägige kostenlose Testversion von Magzter GOLD, um auf Tausende kuratierte Premium-Storys sowie über 8.000 Zeitschriften und Zeitungen zuzugreifen.
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THROWING IT BACK TO THE 1990S 'VOGUE' ERA OF THE SUPERMODEL
KATE MOSS LEADS FAMOUS FACES REFLECTING ON FASHION HEYDAY
FORMER 'MADE IN CHELSEA' STAR FRAN NEWMAN-YOUNG
DAZZLES IN BESPOKE WEDDING GOWN AS SHE TIES THE KNOT IN STYLE IN MAJORCA
LENDING SUPPORT TO CHILDREN'S HOSPICE PRINCESSES BEATRICE AND EUGENIE
BRING LIGHT INTO LITTLE ONES' LIVES AS THEY PLANT A SYMBOL OF HOPE
ON BUOYANT FORM AFTER HIS WIFE'S GOOD NEWS THE PRINCE OF WALES
DISHES OUT THE HUGS ON VISIT FROM THE HEART
WITH AN INCREDIBLE GLIMPSE INTO FAMILY LIFE THE PRINCESS OF WALES
SHARES MESSAGE OF HOPE AS SHE LOOKS TO THE FUTURE AND BALANCING HER ROLE
IN HIGH SPIRITS AT THE BRAEMAR HIGHLAND GAMES THE KING AND QUEEN
ENJOY LAUGHS APLENTY AT A FAVOURITE EVENT BEFORE MONARCH QUIETLY MARKS TWO YEARS ON THE THRONE
AS HOLLY WILLOUGHBY RETURNS NATIONAL TELEVISION AWARDS
STARS DAZZLE ON NIGHT OF GLAMOUR AND GONGS
CREATING A NEW SISTER ACT ELIZABETH OLSEN
ON CO-STARRING WITH NATASHA LYONNE AND CARRIE COON
MAKING HISTORY AT STARSTUDDED EVENT IN NEW YORK TAYLOR SWIFT
SMASHES IT WITH SEVEN OF THE BEST AT THE V.M.As
KIM KARDASHIAN AND DAKOTA JOHNSONS
FASHION AND COMPASSION AT A-LIST CHARITY EVENT