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Dance champ dreams hit
STRICTLY Come Dancing Champion of Champions Darren Bennett has seen his dreams of defending his title in the hit BBC show snatched away at the last minute.
The Sheffield-born ballroom dancing star had been expected to join his celebrity dance partner, former EastEnders actress Jill Halfpenny, for a Christmas Eve special in which he would compete with the winners of the current series and two celebrities from the USA version of the show.
Rehearsals were even underway when Darren received the bombshell news that, because of contractual difficulties - some reports claim there's been a falling-out over payments - Jill would not be competing after all, leaving him without a partner for the big night.
"I will definitely not now be doing the Christmas special," Darren confirmed this week. "I didn't get involved in what was going on at all but Jill pulling out leaves me nowhere and I won't be dancing in the Christmas Eve show."
It was a second blow for Darren who made an early exit from this year's Strictly Come Dancing with broadcaster partner Gloria Hunniford - judges had complained there was no chemistry between the two.
It's not all bad news however. Darren and his wife Lilia Kopylova - currently storming towards the Strictly Come Dancing final with cricketing star partner Darren Gough - found time to win the British National Professional Latin American Dance Championships in Blackpool.
Darren and Lilia wowed judges and a capacity audience by being placed first in all five of the Latin American dances, Cha-Cha-Cha, Samba, Rumba, Paso Doble and Jive.
"It was a hectic weekend," said Darren. "Darren Gough came up to Blackpool with us, we danced on Friday evening and then, after the competition, about one o'clock in the morning, we all jumped in the car and I drove back down to London.
"We got to bed at about 5.30 in the morning but then Lilia had to be up at 7.30 to go off and do the Saturday evening show so you can imagine how tiring it was!"
Now Darren's Strictly Come Dancing hopes are pinned firmly on Lilia getting through to the finals and making her partner the first male winner of the show.
"I think the final should be down to Darren and Colin Jackson," he said. "And, of course, Zoe Ball should be through to the final as well, without a doubt.
"The show has been great this year. "I've hated watching it because I'm not dancing any more but I've enjoyed it because it's so entertaining. But I am still quite disappointed that I didn't dance enough this year because I felt I had so much to give, which is why I was looking forward to doing the Christmas special so much."
After a short Christmas break, Darren and Lilia will be back on the competition circuit in January.
To vote for Lilia and Darren Gough this weekend call 0901 1214001.
john.highfield@sheffieldnewspapers.co.uk
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Saturday 26 May 2012
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