So I (Chantelle) went to see the tour in Leeds, not once, not twice, but three times in Leeds last weekend (24-26 January) – and wow, what a show!
I had a fantastic view at all three shows – front row for one of them! It was great to see everyone in action – but it was especially great to see Karen and Nicky reunited, and finally see them dance together live!
Their Argentine Tango was sizzling and just stunning; whilst their Charleston was as fun as I remembered, but came even more alive in front of an arena audience – it went down a storm each time!
Here are my Karen and Nicky-related pictures and videos from the weekend:
To check out the rest of my tour photos, check out my Flickr sets from each show:
DRIVING AHEAD:Kevin Clifton and his partner Karen Hauer, pictured with students and staff during their visit to the North East Lincolnshire Motor Project, in King Edward Street, Grimsby, to see the work supported by Sport Relief.
TAKE A BREAK: Kevin Clifton and his partner Karen Hauer, during their visit.
STRICTLY stars Kevin Clifton and Karen Hauer had everyone in ‘suspension’ when they toured a motor project.
The question at the North East Lincolnshire Motor Project as the couple – supporting Sport Relief – toured the training centre was: “Will they be appearing in the next Strictly Come Dancing series?”
But Kevin, more accustomed to clutches with Karen than a car’s clutch, said the list of professional dancers won’t be revealed until just before the start of the 2014 series in October.
The runner-up in the last series, who danced with BBC presenter Susanna Reid, said: “You just don’t know until just before it starts.
“We would both love to do it. It was my first series and Karen’s second and we would love to be asked.
“In the meantime the Strictly tour is going brilliantly and we are at Sheffield next. There is no pressure of getting kicked out of that so it is fun.”
The son of Grimsby’s world champion dancers Keith and Judy Clifton told how he carries the name of his hometown, wherever he goes.
He added: “I have lost my second name and it seems I am known as Kevin from Grimsby.”
As one of the UK’s biggest fundraising events, Sport Relief brings the entire nation together to get active, raise cash and change lives. The money raised by the public is spent by Comic Relief, and The Motor Project has benefited from £29,600 of that funding.
Kevin praised the project, which has introduced four new courses at the King Edward Street training centre.
Eight trainees have joined each of the courses which teach how brakes work, health and safety rules, engineering and how steering works.
The courses last for 12 weeks.
Project director John Bell said: “We were over the moon when Kevin and Karen agreed to visit us. I know there isn’t much to link motor mechanics and dancing on TV but we are delighted they have joined us from their busy schedule. Karen is no stranger to motor engineering as her uncle works in a garage in Venezuela.”
Karen, who was a star of the Strictly series and featured in the Strictly tour in Leeds at the weekend and will be at Sheffield tonight and tomorrow, said she will have to scrub her hands for the next show.
They were covered in motor oil after she fixed a set of brake discs.
Karen said: “I have always been around motor engineering so it has been great fun to visit today.”
She was awarded a maximum point 10 score by John Bell for her brake work.
Trainees steered the couple around the workshop and gave them a go in one of their kit cars.
John added: “We are delighted with the funding from Comic Relief. We help young people with problems at school or people who are trying to get into work. We try to raise their aspirations.”
Trainee Nathan Hockney, 20, said: “If it was not for the motor project I would be stuck at home. I am hoping when I leave I will be able to get work in a garage.”
He added: “It has been a pleasure to show Kevin and Karen around.
Kevin Clifton and Karen Hauer at the North East Lincolnshire Motor Project
Strictly Come Dancing stars Kevin Clifton and Karen Hauer were in clutches when they toured a motor project in Grimsby.
The North East Lincolnshire Motor Project in King Edward Street received funding of nearly £30,000 from Comic Relief.
The stars of Strictly Come Dancing had everyone in suspension and showed the springs in their steps as they were steered around the training centre by project manager John Bell.
The Dublin singer has already recorded about eight songs and plans to create a full album
Nicky Byrne
Former Westlife star Nicky Byrne has secretly been following his bandmates lead and recording a solo album.
The Dublin singer has already recorded about eight songs and plans to create a full album.
But Strictly sensation Nicky – who is carving out a career as a TV presenter – is yet to be signed up by a record label.
However the 35-year-old is hoping to be able to get a big-money deal once he has an album ready to sell – like ex-bandmate Kian Egan.
A source said: “Nicky had no plans to get back in the studio for a long time after the split, but he was asked to record a track for a movie.
“Going in front of the microphone again spurred that love of music in him, and he’s been working on a number of his own songs.
“It’s a work in process but he has about eight tracks ready to go – and when it’s finished then he’d be looking for a label.
“He knows that people might not see him as one of Westlife’s lead singers, but he definitely can sing and this proves he can go solo exactly like Kian.”
But insiders insisted that Nicky won’t give up on his dream to become one of Ireland’s biggest TV hosts – after gigs on RTE’s The Hit and Football’s Next Star.
A source said: “Nicky has been pretty clear TV is where his life is mainly, but that only takes so many hours of his day.
“But he’s still looking for more TV presenting gigs – he’s been having a number of meetings in the UK and Ireland.”
Meanwhile, The Voice’s Kian was back in the recording studio yesterday as he worked on preparing for a St Patrick’s Day release.
The I’m A Celeb winner has promised to make it like Westlife’s old music – unlike Shane Filan who has branched out with a country sound, while Mark Feehily is going more indie. He said: “The songs will be pop songs but a bit more rocky.”
The singer – who sold 50 million records along with Westlife during their 14-year career – has been working with Kylie Minogue and One Direction’s producer.
Strictly Come Dancing’s Kevin and Karen to bring Flash Mob to town
Basingstoke Gazette: Strictly Come Dancing’s Kevin and Karen to bring Flash Mob to town
IF you love dance, then this is a show you cannot miss!
See the stars of TV dance shows in The Anvil on Saturday, July 5 at 7.45pm, headlined by the spectacular Kevin Clifton (Kevin from Grimsby) and Karen Hauer, from BBC’s Strictly Come Dancing, World Street Dance champions Flawless from Britain’s Got Talent, as well as Olivier nominated Tommy Franzen (BBC1 So You Think You Can Dance) contemporary duo Alleviate and Irish fusion duo Brosena from Sky 1’s Got To Dance.
This show offers you the chance to immerse yourself in the joy of dance. From Latin to Locking, from Celtic to contemporary and from jazz to jump jive you will laugh, cry and be on your feet for this dynamic production that celebrates the powerful emotions that dance can bring to an audience.
If you have never been to a dance show before, Flash Mob provides a spectacular introduction with a gourmet menu of many different dance genres, stripping away the need to focus on any one dance style and allowing you to just enjoy the wonder of movement to music.
