TEAMING UP FOR THE SEASONAL 'STRICTLY' SPECIAL NEIL JONES AND TILLIE AMARTEY JIVE INTO CHRISTMAS WITH HELP FROM A CUTE LITTLE LADY
HELLO! UK|December 25, 2023
When actress Tillie Amartey teamed up with professional dancer Neil Jones to take part in the Strictly Come Dancing Christmas Day special, their partnership became a full-blown family affair as Neil's 11-week-old daughter Havana got in on the act.
EMILY HORAN
TEAMING UP FOR THE SEASONAL 'STRICTLY' SPECIAL NEIL JONES AND TILLIE AMARTEY JIVE INTO CHRISTMAS WITH HELP FROM A CUTE LITTLE LADY

"We've realised Havana can only settle down to sleep if we do our jive while holding her," says Tillie as the pair tell us about their training sessions for the dance spectacular, which sees the duo transform into Santa's little helpers for a festive jive.

"She could probably grace the ballroom and do it herself at this point," jokes the 20-year-old.

"Any other dance and she'd cry, but when I held Havana and did our jive, she loved it. She's definitely a Latin dancer," adds proud dad Neil, 41, whose daughter with model Chyna Mills is certainly living up to her name, which is a tribute to the Cuban capital of dance.

FIRM FRIENDS

The pair had lots of fun training, with Tillie even inviting Neil to the set of BBC school drama Waterloo Road, in which she's playing student Stace Neville from January. "If I speak to the right people, he could make a cameo," she says with a smile.

Tillie, who was born in Leeds, believes it was "fate" that she was partnered with Neil, who is based in the city, for the festive Strictly special.

"We had met before and got on really well. We have a great friendship," she says. "My mum's even been babysitting Havana - this has been so much more than just dancing."

Viewers are in for a festive treat, with stars including BBC Breakfast's Sally Nugent, EastEnders actor Jamie Borthwick and former rugby union international Danny Cipriani also strutting their stuff.

RAISING THE BAR

"It was one of the best groups we've ever had," Neil says. "Everyone is having so much fun - it doesn't feel competitive at all. Even Craig [Revel Horwood] feels a bit more festive!"

A musical performance from Eurovision Song Contest star Sam Ryder is on the cards, as well as two stunning group routines, and Tillie and Neil are looking forward to watching the pre-recorded show when it airs on Christmas Day.

Diese Geschichte stammt aus der December 25, 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.

Diese Geschichte stammt aus der December 25, 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.

WEITERE ARTIKEL AUS HELLO! UKAlle anzeigen
DREAM ESCAPES
HELLO! UK

DREAM ESCAPES

Take in the beauty of Japan's former imperial capital, from its temples and tea houses to serene moments in nature

time-read
1 min  |
November 25, 2024
SPICE BOY
HELLO! UK

SPICE BOY

Brooklyn Peltz Beckham is among the stars fuelling the craze for hot sauces, from spicy peppers to hot honey

time-read
2 Minuten  |
November 25, 2024
CILLIAN MURPHY
HELLO! UK

CILLIAN MURPHY

AFTER HIS OSCAR-WINNING TURN IN 'OPPENHEIMER' CILLIAN MURPHY BRINGS IT BACK HOME WITH POWERFUL NEW FILM SET IN IRELAND - AND DROPS 'PEAKY BLINDERS' MOVIE HINTS

time-read
3 Minuten  |
November 25, 2024
MARKING REMEMBRANCE DAY - THE DUKE OF SUSSEX
HELLO! UK

MARKING REMEMBRANCE DAY - THE DUKE OF SUSSEX

PAYS HEARTFELT TRIBUTE AS HE MAKES SWEET GESTURE TO BEREAVED CHILDREN

time-read
2 Minuten  |
November 25, 2024
THE ROYAL FAMILY PAY THEIR RESPECTS ON REMEMBRANCE SUNDAY
HELLO! UK

THE ROYAL FAMILY PAY THEIR RESPECTS ON REMEMBRANCE SUNDAY

HONOURING THE MEN AND WOMEN WHO LOST THEIR LIVES IN THE ULTIMATE SACRIFICE WHILE SERVING THEIR COUNTRY

time-read
4 Minuten  |
November 25, 2024
MAKING IT A RIGHT ROYAL NIGHT - 'GLADIATOR II'
HELLO! UK

MAKING IT A RIGHT ROYAL NIGHT - 'GLADIATOR II'

THE KING WALKS THE RED CARPET AT FILM'S STARRY WORLD PREMIERE

time-read
3 Minuten  |
November 25, 2024
FRESH FROM THE 'WICKED' PREMIERE - ARIANA GRANDE
HELLO! UK

FRESH FROM THE 'WICKED' PREMIERE - ARIANA GRANDE

ON HER CLOSE BOND WITH 'WARMEST HUMAN' CYNTHIA ERIVO

time-read
2 Minuten  |
November 25, 2024
AFTER REVEALING HER DECISION TO HAVE SURGERY FOR A BRAIN TUMOUR - DAVINA MCCALL CELEBRITY FRIENDS SEND MESSAGES OF SUPPORT AFTER SHOCK NEWS
HELLO! UK

AFTER REVEALING HER DECISION TO HAVE SURGERY FOR A BRAIN TUMOUR - DAVINA MCCALL CELEBRITY FRIENDS SEND MESSAGES OF SUPPORT AFTER SHOCK NEWS

Stars including Amanda Holden and Holly Willoughby have offered heartfelt support to Davina McCall after she revealed she was undergoing an operation to remove a brain tumour.

time-read
2 Minuten  |
November 25, 2024
THE KING AND QUEEN
HELLO! UK

THE KING AND QUEEN

AS DAMIAN LEWIS PRAISES CAMILLA'S RECENT T.V. TURN - THE KING AND QUEEN HOST STAR-STUDDED RECEPTION AT BUCKINGHAM PALACE FOR FAMOUS BIG AND SMALL-SCREEN FACES

time-read
2 Minuten  |
November 25, 2024
CELINE DION AND JENNIFER LOPEZ - STEAL THE SHOW AT LAVISH FASHION EXTRAVAGANZA
HELLO! UK

CELINE DION AND JENNIFER LOPEZ - STEAL THE SHOW AT LAVISH FASHION EXTRAVAGANZA

HITTING ALL THE RIGHT NOTES

time-read
2 Minuten  |
November 25, 2024