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Darren sambas to more hot stuff
IT'LL be hot, hot hot tonight for Sheffield dance star Darren Bennett and former Spice Girl Emma Bunton.
The duo plan to set the floor alight as they perform sexy Brazilian party dance the Samba in this week's Strictly Come Dancing.
In the last couple of weeks, it's been the heated comments of judges and hot-headed responses of some of the contestants that have kept audiences glued to the screen.
But Darren, aged 29, insists the emphasis this week will be on the dancing as the BBC competition gathers pace.
"There are so many great couples out there that anything can happen," he said. "It's anybody's competition at the moment so we're all having to work really hard."
While Darren struts his stuff in the Samba, his wife and professional dance partner Lilia Kopylova, 27, takes an elegant turn, performing the American Smooth with rugby star Matt Dawson.
"We're both really looking forward to this week's show as Lilia hasn't done much ballroom so far this series and I haven't done much Latin, so it's a nice change," added Darren, who was born in Deepcar, brought up in Todwick, and now lives with Lilia in Treeton.
But what about those judges?
Two weeks ago, Darren and Emma spoke out on Strictly's sister show It Takes Two, about the judges' harsh comments and angry response of professional dancer Brendan Cole, who partners former Emmerdale actress Claire King.
Then last Saturday, head judge Len Goodman looked set to turn on Darren when he stormed: "Don't get like Brendan, you silly little Sheffield..."
But Darren, whose parents Tony and Judith run City Limits Dance School in Walkley, played down the outburst.
"I think Len was just a bit jet-lagged because he's flying back and forwards to America, filming the US version of the show as well as this one," he explained.
"I think, generally, there have been comments made by some of the judges that have been taken a bit personally by some of the professional dancers and the celebrities and more attention has been given to it all this year.
"We all say what we think. We are never told what to say or what not to say and, if judges say something we don't like, we answer back.
"The judges are a lot more upfront with their comments this year and, because of this, the dancers are coming back with their own responses.
"But the competition element is always there and it will build up even more as the series goes on. It really is a close competition this year and we need everybody to vote as much as they can."... and X Factor's Jack's looking for hot talent
HE may have missed out on The X Factor finals but it's never Over for this promising Sheffield pop star.
Jack Over is now putting together a boy band with a difference and wants to check out South Yorkshire talent.
The 19-year-old is determined to carve himself a career in music and is working with the Global label - with bases in London and Ireland - to create a new group.
Jack, of Thorncliffe View, Chapeltown, took part in ITV hit talent show The X Factor in 2004, at the age of 16, and was one of 14 hopefuls installed in a London hotel to be put through their musical paces by judge Sharon Osbourne.
"It was a great experience," said Jack. "It was a bit like living with the Osbournes. Sharon used to visit us at the hotel and spend time with us, rehearsing songs and stuff.
"Then Sharon made her mind up who she wanted for the live shows. I was only 16 at the time and she thought at that stage that I wouldn't be able to handle the pressure."
But Jack was not put off pursuing his love of music. "For the last couple of years, I've been having meetings with record labels and going to auditions," he went on.
"Last year I got down to the final two for a Virgin label boy band - and again they chose another person! But now I've spoken to Global and they are keen to have a boy band so I'm looking to get a group together.
"Ideally, I'd like to find band members from Sheffield and Barnsley so we can rehearse easily together. Global don't want it to be a typical boy band but to have an old-style Motowny feel to it.
"We wouldn't be doing covers, it would be something original and classy. I like all the old-style swing songs and Motown and I think good harmonies work better than the sort of pop songs that have been in the market recently. We hope to capture a wider audience."
Jack has a photographer, vocal coach and choreographer on board to help him check out hopefuls' potential.
Anyone interested in forming a new band should call Jack Over on 07737 906794.
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Saturday 26 May 2012
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