Smile Train, the world’s largest cleft-focused organization, announces their 25th anniversary gala, a major milestone event celebrating a quarter century of unwavering commitment to ensuring every person has access to high-quality comprehensive cleft care.
The gala will take place on Wednesday, May 8, 2024, at Cipriani 42nd Street in New York City.
Jeannie Mai, TV personality and executive producer, will host the event, which will bring together Smile Train’s global network to celebrate the charity’s impact of lighting up children’s lives with smiles. The evening will honor entrepreneur, creative director, and Smile Train Ambassador Kimora Lee Simmons with the Goodwill Ambassador Award; Diné weaver and designer Naiomi Glasses with the Smile Maker Award; and Nurse and Smile Train Partner Shoba Lonappan with the Teach a Woman to Fish Award for their efforts to transform childrens’ lives – and smiles – forever. Multi-platinum recording artist Jordin Sparks will also join with...
The gala will take place on Wednesday, May 8, 2024, at Cipriani 42nd Street in New York City.
Jeannie Mai, TV personality and executive producer, will host the event, which will bring together Smile Train’s global network to celebrate the charity’s impact of lighting up children’s lives with smiles. The evening will honor entrepreneur, creative director, and Smile Train Ambassador Kimora Lee Simmons with the Goodwill Ambassador Award; Diné weaver and designer Naiomi Glasses with the Smile Maker Award; and Nurse and Smile Train Partner Shoba Lonappan with the Teach a Woman to Fish Award for their efforts to transform childrens’ lives – and smiles – forever. Multi-platinum recording artist Jordin Sparks will also join with...
- 4/15/2024
- Look to the Stars
Smile Train UK, the world’s largest cleft focused charity, is delighted to announce British soul singer, Heather Small, as its newest Smile Train UK Ambassador.
Heather Small Announced As Ambassador For Smile Train UK
In her role as ambassador, Heather will use her platform to raise awareness about clefts in the UK while championing Smile Train’s impactful programmes that take place in more than 70 countries around the world. Heather is gearing up for an exciting visit to one of Smile Train’s programmes in 2024 and will see the positive impact of donations first-hand. During her visit, she’ll meet with children from one of Smile Train’s choirs. Originating as part of Smile Train’s speech therapy aftercare initiative, these choirs provide a place where cleft-affected children thrive and are given the confidence to use their voice and speak up.
Heather will be commencing her ambassadorship with a...
Heather Small Announced As Ambassador For Smile Train UK
In her role as ambassador, Heather will use her platform to raise awareness about clefts in the UK while championing Smile Train’s impactful programmes that take place in more than 70 countries around the world. Heather is gearing up for an exciting visit to one of Smile Train’s programmes in 2024 and will see the positive impact of donations first-hand. During her visit, she’ll meet with children from one of Smile Train’s choirs. Originating as part of Smile Train’s speech therapy aftercare initiative, these choirs provide a place where cleft-affected children thrive and are given the confidence to use their voice and speak up.
Heather will be commencing her ambassadorship with a...
- 11/27/2023
- Look to the Stars
Politicians have been diversifying their tactics in attempts to engage new audiences in recent years.
This has resulted in the use of music alongside campaigns, speeches and social media videos. Many try to choose a track that makes them relatable, or worse, cool.
As you can imagine, when an artist disagrees with the politics of the person who has used their music, things can get a little ugly.
Below we list five times artists have rejected politicians using their music:
Dr. Dre
Dr. Dre is the latest artist to go up against a politician after his music was used in a social media clip of Republican congresswoman Majorie Taylor Greene.
The politician, who represents Georgia, has a controversial history of sharing extremist views and Dr. Dre was not impressed at being associated with her.
The rapper sent a cease and desist letter to the politician after she used his song “Still D.
This has resulted in the use of music alongside campaigns, speeches and social media videos. Many try to choose a track that makes them relatable, or worse, cool.
As you can imagine, when an artist disagrees with the politics of the person who has used their music, things can get a little ugly.
Below we list five times artists have rejected politicians using their music:
Dr. Dre
Dr. Dre is the latest artist to go up against a politician after his music was used in a social media clip of Republican congresswoman Majorie Taylor Greene.
The politician, who represents Georgia, has a controversial history of sharing extremist views and Dr. Dre was not impressed at being associated with her.
The rapper sent a cease and desist letter to the politician after she used his song “Still D.
- 1/10/2023
- by Megan Graye
- The Independent - Music
The Masked Singer is back, with fans tuning in every Saturday night to try to guess which celebrity is behind each costume.
Comedian Joel Dommett has returned to host proceedings, with 13 mystery stars singing familiar songs on stage, while dressed up in an outfit obscuring their identity.
Guessing along with the in-studio audience and the viewers at home are the judges: Mo Gilligan, Davina McCall, Rita Ora and Jonathan Ross.
One way to help narrow things down is checking out who’s been on the series before – as it seems unlikely they’d return to the show (although not impossible).
So here’s a full list of who appeared on seasons one, two, three and four…
Season one
Winner: Nicola Roberts – Queen Bee
Jason Manford – Hedgehog
Katherine Jenkins – Octopus
CeeLo Green – Monster
Denise van Outen – Fox
Jake Shears – Unicorn
Skin – Duck
Kelis – Daisy
Teddy Sheringham – Tree
Justin Hawkins – Chameleon
Alan Johnson...
Comedian Joel Dommett has returned to host proceedings, with 13 mystery stars singing familiar songs on stage, while dressed up in an outfit obscuring their identity.
Guessing along with the in-studio audience and the viewers at home are the judges: Mo Gilligan, Davina McCall, Rita Ora and Jonathan Ross.
One way to help narrow things down is checking out who’s been on the series before – as it seems unlikely they’d return to the show (although not impossible).
So here’s a full list of who appeared on seasons one, two, three and four…
Season one
Winner: Nicola Roberts – Queen Bee
Jason Manford – Hedgehog
Katherine Jenkins – Octopus
CeeLo Green – Monster
Denise van Outen – Fox
Jake Shears – Unicorn
Skin – Duck
Kelis – Daisy
Teddy Sheringham – Tree
Justin Hawkins – Chameleon
Alan Johnson...
- 1/8/2023
- by Ellie Harrison
- The Independent - TV
M People founder Mike Pickering has condemned prime minister Liz Truss’s use of his band’s hit song “Moving On Up” at the Conservative Party conference.
Truss walked onstage to the sound of the 1993 dance-pop track, as she delivered her Conservative Party conference speech in Birmingham on Wednesday (5 October).
Many people watching the speech immediately pointed out both the irony of the song’s lyrics, as well as the fact that singer Heather Small’s son is a Labour councillor.
“So apparently we can’t stop Truss walking out to our song, very weird!” Pickering wrote on Twitter. “So sad it got used by this shower of a government. [By the way] Truss, Labour used it with permission in Nineties. I don’t want my song being a soundtrack to lies.”
So apparently we can't stop Truss walking out to our song, very weird! So sad it got used by this shower of a government.
Truss walked onstage to the sound of the 1993 dance-pop track, as she delivered her Conservative Party conference speech in Birmingham on Wednesday (5 October).
Many people watching the speech immediately pointed out both the irony of the song’s lyrics, as well as the fact that singer Heather Small’s son is a Labour councillor.
“So apparently we can’t stop Truss walking out to our song, very weird!” Pickering wrote on Twitter. “So sad it got used by this shower of a government. [By the way] Truss, Labour used it with permission in Nineties. I don’t want my song being a soundtrack to lies.”
So apparently we can't stop Truss walking out to our song, very weird! So sad it got used by this shower of a government.
- 10/5/2022
- by Megan Graye and Roisin O'Connor
- The Independent - Music
Alex Carter Aug 2, 2016
Homes Under The Hammer is a comforting constant in an ever-changing world. Here's why it's your TV best friend...
Homes Under The Hammer is the adult equivalent of Teletubbies: every episode is exactly the same, there is only the vaguest semblance of peril, and every episode has a weird house in it.
I bloody love Homes Under The Hammer. It’s the kind of low-engagement programming that suits any time and any mood. I like nosing around people’s houses. I like the idea I could be a filthy capitalist if I could just stop ranting about Star Trek and do some plastering. The identikit nature of every episode is ideally suited to its 10am weekday timeslot, being watched exclusively by the unemployed, the ill and everyone’s dad. As a freelance writer with both a cold and a dad I absolutely understand that feeling of having a head filled with mush,...
Homes Under The Hammer is a comforting constant in an ever-changing world. Here's why it's your TV best friend...
Homes Under The Hammer is the adult equivalent of Teletubbies: every episode is exactly the same, there is only the vaguest semblance of peril, and every episode has a weird house in it.
I bloody love Homes Under The Hammer. It’s the kind of low-engagement programming that suits any time and any mood. I like nosing around people’s houses. I like the idea I could be a filthy capitalist if I could just stop ranting about Star Trek and do some plastering. The identikit nature of every episode is ideally suited to its 10am weekday timeslot, being watched exclusively by the unemployed, the ill and everyone’s dad. As a freelance writer with both a cold and a dad I absolutely understand that feeling of having a head filled with mush,...
- 7/23/2016
- Den of Geek
pinkbluelovescute.com
Anyone who works, or has worked in a call centre will know there’s no other psychological trauma quite like it; hooked up to a phone that never stops for the majority of your life, subjected to the worst kinds of humanity, and being on the receiving end of all negative repercussions from decisions made by untouchable figures at the top of the food chain. Any fudge ups, you’re in the firing line.
Time is everything: military clocking-in, monitored toilet breaks, strict call-length control… welcome to the world of the robot. Never has the nail been hit quite so precisely on the metaphorical head as when a Contact Centre Manager described them as ‘satanic mills’ to the BBC a few years back – for that they are.
Still, it can be a giggle. In darkness, there is light. In misery, there is comfort: millions of other call-centre workers...
Anyone who works, or has worked in a call centre will know there’s no other psychological trauma quite like it; hooked up to a phone that never stops for the majority of your life, subjected to the worst kinds of humanity, and being on the receiving end of all negative repercussions from decisions made by untouchable figures at the top of the food chain. Any fudge ups, you’re in the firing line.
Time is everything: military clocking-in, monitored toilet breaks, strict call-length control… welcome to the world of the robot. Never has the nail been hit quite so precisely on the metaphorical head as when a Contact Centre Manager described them as ‘satanic mills’ to the BBC a few years back – for that they are.
Still, it can be a giggle. In darkness, there is light. In misery, there is comfort: millions of other call-centre workers...
- 3/14/2014
- by Nina Cresswell
- Obsessed with Film
Channel 4 has revealed the full lineup for the first episode of That Music Show.
The quiz show, presented by Nick Grimshaw, will see two celebrity panels compete to find out who knows the most about specific years in music history.
The first episode, filmed at the Electric in Brixton, London, will focus on the years 1995 and 2005.
The captain of team 1995 will be 6 Music breakfast show host Shaun Keaveny, who will be joined by M People's Heather Small, Blur's Alex James, Shed Seven's Rick Witter and A*M*E.
Team 2005 will be led by comedian Seann Walsh and will also feature Texas's Sharleen Spiteri, Goldie Looking Chain's Maggot, Theo Hutchcraft from Hurts and comedian Tom Stade.
Tony Mortimer of East 17 is also set to make a guest appearance during a segment filmed at a shooting range.
The hour-long programme will also feature live musical performances, with Primal Scream...
The quiz show, presented by Nick Grimshaw, will see two celebrity panels compete to find out who knows the most about specific years in music history.
The first episode, filmed at the Electric in Brixton, London, will focus on the years 1995 and 2005.
The captain of team 1995 will be 6 Music breakfast show host Shaun Keaveny, who will be joined by M People's Heather Small, Blur's Alex James, Shed Seven's Rick Witter and A*M*E.
Team 2005 will be led by comedian Seann Walsh and will also feature Texas's Sharleen Spiteri, Goldie Looking Chain's Maggot, Theo Hutchcraft from Hurts and comedian Tom Stade.
Tony Mortimer of East 17 is also set to make a guest appearance during a segment filmed at a shooting range.
The hour-long programme will also feature live musical performances, with Primal Scream...
- 7/26/2013
- Digital Spy
The last major project from Danny Boyle was, of course, the stunning London 2012 Olympics Opening Ceremony. Its musical directors were long-time Boyle collaborators Underworld - Karl Hyde and Rick Smith. Like all their previous work, that night's music was very much a partnership, but with Rick getting sole writing credit for the two new pieces ('Caliban's Dream' and earthshattering Industrial Revolution soundtrack 'And I Will Kiss'), there were the first signs that both parties were looking to forge an identity away from their Freur frère.
So, with Karl off working on his own solo debut Edgeland, Rick has reunited with Danny to score his Olympics' evil cousin, mindbending heist thriller Trance. Those expecting the pop jukebox of Trainspotting or banging 4/4 dance of Underworld will be surprised. Aside from a small clutch of carefully-selected songs, Smith has composed a restrained-but-powerful, twisting and turning keyboard-heavy soundtrack. Like Boyle's film, it's flawed, a...
So, with Karl off working on his own solo debut Edgeland, Rick has reunited with Danny to score his Olympics' evil cousin, mindbending heist thriller Trance. Those expecting the pop jukebox of Trainspotting or banging 4/4 dance of Underworld will be surprised. Aside from a small clutch of carefully-selected songs, Smith has composed a restrained-but-powerful, twisting and turning keyboard-heavy soundtrack. Like Boyle's film, it's flawed, a...
- 3/30/2013
- Digital Spy
Review Paul Martinovic 22 Mar 2013 - 06:38
Danny Boyle's new film, Trance, has lots of ambition, but lots of problems, reports Paul...
There are things that feel seismically important at their moment in time, then fade in the memory as the years go by, their artifice and unremarkable nature suddenly apparent when plucked from their initial context.
The opening ceremony for the Olympics is not one of these things. It was spectacular then when I watched it in a garden in Hackney with all of my friends, initially sceptical, then awed by the spectacle, tickled by Bond and the Queen, weirdly moved by Mr Bean then completely won over by the NHS celebration, before heading onto the roof to watch the entire horizon explode into fireworks and generally radiate with the feeling that we (with we pertaining to us as individuals, our friendship groups and respective relationships, and the whole...
Danny Boyle's new film, Trance, has lots of ambition, but lots of problems, reports Paul...
There are things that feel seismically important at their moment in time, then fade in the memory as the years go by, their artifice and unremarkable nature suddenly apparent when plucked from their initial context.
The opening ceremony for the Olympics is not one of these things. It was spectacular then when I watched it in a garden in Hackney with all of my friends, initially sceptical, then awed by the spectacle, tickled by Bond and the Queen, weirdly moved by Mr Bean then completely won over by the NHS celebration, before heading onto the roof to watch the entire horizon explode into fireworks and generally radiate with the feeling that we (with we pertaining to us as individuals, our friendship groups and respective relationships, and the whole...
- 3/21/2013
- by simonbrew
- Den of Geek
Underworld's Emeli Sandé and Rick Smith have recorded a duet 'Here It Comes' for new Danny Boyle movie Trance.
Smith, a frequent Boyle collaborator who directed the music for his London 2012 Olympics Opening Ceremony, is behind the soundtrack for the follow-up to 127 Hours.
"After finishing the Opening Ceremony, I hardly knew what day of the week it was. I took a month off work, off music, off everything," Smith said.
"Exactly one month and three days after we said goodbye in the stadium, I received a text from Danny that said, 'Do you ever want to hear from me again workwise and would that go as far as having a chat about Trance... questions, questions'. Two minutes later I was on board."
Sandé, who was also an integral part of the Olympics ceremony, added: "It was wonderful to work with Rick again after the amazing time I had with...
Smith, a frequent Boyle collaborator who directed the music for his London 2012 Olympics Opening Ceremony, is behind the soundtrack for the follow-up to 127 Hours.
"After finishing the Opening Ceremony, I hardly knew what day of the week it was. I took a month off work, off music, off everything," Smith said.
"Exactly one month and three days after we said goodbye in the stadium, I received a text from Danny that said, 'Do you ever want to hear from me again workwise and would that go as far as having a chat about Trance... questions, questions'. Two minutes later I was on board."
Sandé, who was also an integral part of the Olympics ceremony, added: "It was wonderful to work with Rick again after the amazing time I had with...
- 2/27/2013
- Digital Spy
Music can make an average ad great. So why, Robin Hicks asks, is music the last thing a creative thinks about when writing an ad?
My favourite TV ad of the year so far is the Let Yourself Go spot for Kangaroo Island.
When it didn’t win Mumbrella’s Ad of the Month for March (it came third) I felt aggrieved for the agency that made it. But less so a week later when it emerged that the agency had paid celebrities to tweet nice things about its work.
Let Yourself Go is a stunning spot with lots of pretty images. But it would probably have had a similar effect on me if I’d watched a blank screen for 60 seconds.
John Baker of Adelaide ad agency Kwp!, which made the ad, told me that the music (Rise by Pearl Jam singer Eddie Vedder) “is 50% of the communication”. For me,...
My favourite TV ad of the year so far is the Let Yourself Go spot for Kangaroo Island.
When it didn’t win Mumbrella’s Ad of the Month for March (it came third) I felt aggrieved for the agency that made it. But less so a week later when it emerged that the agency had paid celebrities to tweet nice things about its work.
Let Yourself Go is a stunning spot with lots of pretty images. But it would probably have had a similar effect on me if I’d watched a blank screen for 60 seconds.
John Baker of Adelaide ad agency Kwp!, which made the ad, told me that the music (Rise by Pearl Jam singer Eddie Vedder) “is 50% of the communication”. For me,...
- 4/30/2012
- by Robin Hicks
- Encore Magazine
Surrogate Valentine
If Paper Heart wasn’t precious enough for you, Surrogate Valentine might well be your dream movie; for the rest, keep back. Dave Boyle’s deeply tiresome musical travelogue’s greatest virtue is its brevity. The film stars San Francisco singer-songwriter Goh Nakamura as a version of himself as he takes on a “method” actor, Danny (Chadd Stoops), who intends to model a performance and character for an upcoming film role on Nakamura, who brings him along on tour in order to teach Danny how to play the film’s central tune. Meanwhile, Goh struggles with his rekindled feelings for high-school crush Rachel (Lynn Chen, a charming figure in an otherwise charmless realm), who clearly carries a torch for the terminally awkward Goh but is involved with a sycophantic businessman.
The central premise of Valentine is not a bad one – there are certainly intriguing dramatic and thematic possibilities...
If Paper Heart wasn’t precious enough for you, Surrogate Valentine might well be your dream movie; for the rest, keep back. Dave Boyle’s deeply tiresome musical travelogue’s greatest virtue is its brevity. The film stars San Francisco singer-songwriter Goh Nakamura as a version of himself as he takes on a “method” actor, Danny (Chadd Stoops), who intends to model a performance and character for an upcoming film role on Nakamura, who brings him along on tour in order to teach Danny how to play the film’s central tune. Meanwhile, Goh struggles with his rekindled feelings for high-school crush Rachel (Lynn Chen, a charming figure in an otherwise charmless realm), who clearly carries a torch for the terminally awkward Goh but is involved with a sycophantic businessman.
The central premise of Valentine is not a bad one – there are certainly intriguing dramatic and thematic possibilities...
- 9/23/2011
- by Simon Howell
- SoundOnSight
Lily Allen, Jay Sean and Sting all received songwriting awards Tuesday night, October 5. The pop stars were all given awards for the amount of radio and TV play they have had in the U.S. at the Broadcast Music International (Bmi) awards, which honors songwriters.
Record company executives collected the trophies on behalf of most artists, although legendary music industry figures including The Beatles producer George Martin and lyricist Don Black were in attendance, and Don was named Bmi Icon at the ceremony, for his services to songwriting.
After a film montage of his career, Don, most famous for writing the words to five James Bond themes and winning an Oscar for the theme to "Born Free", as well as the lyrics to a number of musicals, collected the engraved cup-shaped award and gave an acceptance speech. He quipped, "After Del's introduction I don't think anyone will have to Google me.
Record company executives collected the trophies on behalf of most artists, although legendary music industry figures including The Beatles producer George Martin and lyricist Don Black were in attendance, and Don was named Bmi Icon at the ceremony, for his services to songwriting.
After a film montage of his career, Don, most famous for writing the words to five James Bond themes and winning an Oscar for the theme to "Born Free", as well as the lyrics to a number of musicals, collected the engraved cup-shaped award and gave an acceptance speech. He quipped, "After Del's introduction I don't think anyone will have to Google me.
- 10/6/2010
- by celebrity-mania.com
- Celebrity Mania
American dancer Brian Fortuna has claimed that he feels part of the Strictly Come Dancing family. The professional ballroom star, who is currently working on BBC Three series Dancing On Wheels, also said that he was hoping to return to the reality show for a third run. "I definitely feel part of the Strictly family - of course!" he told Digital Spy. "As far as working on future series, we are only ever contracted for one series at a time, so we'll have to see what this year brings. Hopefully, I'll be back." Fortuna danced with M People star Heather Small (more)...
- 2/12/2010
- by By Alex Fletcher
- Digital Spy
The stars of Strictly Come Dancing are set to take part in a glitzy and ground-breaking new series for BBC Three that will see them unite wheelchair users and celebrities in a dance competition with a difference.
Wheelchair Dance Sport is something many British people have never heard of, although it originated in this country. Dancing On Wheels hopes to change that and put the sport back on the UK map!
The lead choreographer, coach and expert on the show is Brian Fortuna, a professional ballroom dancer and semi finalist in this year’s Strictly. He has been teaching wheelchair dancing for the past eight years and will be putting the couples through their paces with help from his professional dance partner Kristina Rihanoff, who danced with Joe Calzaghe in this year’s competition.
Their challenge is to produce a pair of dancers good enough to represent the UK at...
Wheelchair Dance Sport is something many British people have never heard of, although it originated in this country. Dancing On Wheels hopes to change that and put the sport back on the UK map!
The lead choreographer, coach and expert on the show is Brian Fortuna, a professional ballroom dancer and semi finalist in this year’s Strictly. He has been teaching wheelchair dancing for the past eight years and will be putting the couples through their paces with help from his professional dance partner Kristina Rihanoff, who danced with Joe Calzaghe in this year’s competition.
Their challenge is to produce a pair of dancers good enough to represent the UK at...
- 2/1/2010
- by Lisa McGarry
- Unreality
Yes yes yes! The Only ice-dancing extravaganza to grace our screens starts right here – Dancing On Ice 2010 launches tonight!
There’s an amazing circus-themed intro to the show as Torvill and Dean appear in the midst of some colourful freaks (who are not the contestants) – there are trapeze acts, weird costumes, various twirling things and did I mention weird costumes? A spectacular visual feast to kick off the new series.
Phillip and Holly (looking gorgeous, naturally) chat to Torvill and Dean. Christopher talks about how good the contestants are, while Jayne tells us that they’re learning quickly. The contestants file out in fine order – Davro looks amused that he’s even there, I can’t work out why I don’t like Daniella Westbrook, and would people please stop describing Sinitta as a pop star? Davro’s pot belly looks like it may be a distinct disadvantage in this competition!
There’s an amazing circus-themed intro to the show as Torvill and Dean appear in the midst of some colourful freaks (who are not the contestants) – there are trapeze acts, weird costumes, various twirling things and did I mention weird costumes? A spectacular visual feast to kick off the new series.
Phillip and Holly (looking gorgeous, naturally) chat to Torvill and Dean. Christopher talks about how good the contestants are, while Jayne tells us that they’re learning quickly. The contestants file out in fine order – Davro looks amused that he’s even there, I can’t work out why I don’t like Daniella Westbrook, and would people please stop describing Sinitta as a pop star? Davro’s pot belly looks like it may be a distinct disadvantage in this competition!
- 1/10/2010
- by Lisa McGarry
- Unreality
Lisa Snowdon has reportedly been spotted kissing Strictly Come Dancing's Brian Fortuna. According to The Sun, the 37-year-old model became close to American dancer Fortuna at Mark Foster's Strictly leaving party. Fortuna, who partnered Heather Small, is reportedly eager to pursue a relationship with Snowdon. A source said: "Brian says he loves Britain and wants to meet a British girl. Everyone was talking about their kiss (more)...
- 11/18/2008
- by By Simon Reynolds
- Digital Spy
John Sergeant has apparently blasted Strictly Come Dancing judges for their treatment of him on the BBC show. The 64-year-old told The Mirror that the panel should either accept that the public has a say, or resign. Sergeant's cha cha cha with partner Kristina Rihanoff on Saturday night was awarded just 12 points out of a possible 40 from the panel, yet the journalist was kept out of Sunday's dance-off thanks to the public vote. Judge Bruno Tonioli said yesterday he was "spitting feathers" that Heather Small exited the show before Sergeant. "I'm appalled and disgusted. I don't understand it. It's (more)...
- 11/11/2008
- by By Sarah Rollo
- Digital Spy
Heather Small has revealed that she is supporting John Sergeant now that she has left Strictly Come Dancing. Small said that she will be watching the show this week and voting for the journalist, whose popularity with the public has seen him sail through in the competition despite poor scores. "I'll be voting for John," she told Claudia Winkleman on spinoff It Takes Two. "I'd like to see John in the final with Lisa [Snowdon]." The M People star was voted off the (more)...
- 11/10/2008
- by By Michael Thornton
- Digital Spy
Bruno Tonioli has said that he is "appalled" by the public's decision to keep John Sergeant on Strictly Come Dancing. Sergeant escaped being put in the dance-off on Sunday despite only scoring 12 points out of a possible 40 from the judges. Heather Small exited the show after being voted into the bottom two alongside popstar Rachel Stevens. "I'm spitting feathers," he told The Sun. "I'm appalled and disgusted. I don't understand (more)...
- 11/10/2008
- by By Alex Fletcher
- Digital Spy
Heather Small has been eliminated from Strictly Come Dancing after competing in the dance-off for the fourth time. The M People singer and her American dance partner Brian Fortuna finally lost out as they faced off against Rachel Stevens and Vincent Simone. In last night's show, the couple had been praised for their progress in the competition after performing the Tango. "Tango is an actor's dance, and I saw drama and passion," head judge Len Goodman commented. "But I would like you to tuck your hips under. You need to keep body contact a little bit more, but I thought it was a very good (more)...
- 11/9/2008
- by By Daniel Kilkelly
- Digital Spy
Heather Small has insisted that racism is not to blame for her Strictly Come Dancing struggles. The M People singer has spoken out following the row sparked by athlete John Regis, who suggested that viewers are influenced by skin colour when they cast their votes. Small and her dance partner Brian Fortuna have won praise from the judges in recent weeks, but have found themselves in the dance-off three times after failing to pick up support from viewers. "For me personally, if someone wants to have a proper conversation about bigotry and race then great, but not in a context that's salacious. (more)...
- 11/8/2008
- by By Daniel Kilkelly
- Digital Spy
Heather Small has revealed that she is refusing to give up on her dream of winning Strictly Come Dancing, despite being in the dance-off three times. The singer and her partner Brian Fortuna escaped elimination yet again at the weekend after competing against Andrew Castle and Ola Jordan in the final showdown. As Small appeared on spinoff show It Takes Two, host Claudia Winkleman asked if she had hoped to be voted off following the latest public rejection. "Absolutely (more)...
- 11/4/2008
- by By Daniel Kilkelly
- Digital Spy
Heather Small has credited Strictly Come Dancing partner Brian Fortuna for her success on the show at the weekend. The couple were finally backed by the public in Saturday night's vote after previously finding themselves in the dance-off for two consecutive weeks. Discussing her struggles on spinoff show It Takes Two, the M People star admitted: "It was quite difficult. I'd been in two dance-offs and that was quite hard. It was a real team effort that week to lift my spirits, from my manager and Brian. "Brian had seen me sing in Warrington and his last bit of advice to me was: 'Do exactly as you do before you (more)...
- 10/29/2008
- by By Daniel Kilkelly
- Digital Spy
Heather Small has revealed that she may decide to use skimpy outfits to her advantage on Strictly Come Dancing. The singer had previously vowed to cover up on the BBC One ballroom show, but she has now admitted that her situation is getting desperate after two consecutive weeks in the bottom two. "There's an element of some people showing off their bodies to win votes," Small told the Daily (more)...
- 10/25/2008
- by By Daniel Kilkelly
- Digital Spy
On this week's Strictly Come Dancing, Heather Small and Don Warrington ended up being voted into bottom two. The Rising Damp actor was criticised by judge Craig Revel Horwood for using "funky gesticulations" during his American Smooth and after the dance-off, Bruno, Arlene and Craig all decided Don should be the one to leave. We gave the laid-back thespian a call to find out how he enjoyed his time on the show. Hi Don. How are you feeling about your departure?
"I'm doing alright. I'm actually missing the training and the routine of it all, but it's the nature of the beast. I think I acquitted myself fairly well in last week's dance and I just leave the rest up to the judges really." What did you make of the judges' criticisms of your first dance?
"I think they missed the point. I think Bruno was talking (more)...
"I'm doing alright. I'm actually missing the training and the routine of it all, but it's the nature of the beast. I think I acquitted myself fairly well in last week's dance and I just leave the rest up to the judges really." What did you make of the judges' criticisms of your first dance?
"I think they missed the point. I think Bruno was talking (more)...
- 10/22/2008
- by By Alex Fletcher
- Digital Spy
Heather Small has blamed nerves for her recent struggles on Strictly Come Dancing. The M People singer and her dance partner Brian Fortuna have found themselves in the bottom two for two consecutive weeks, but have been saved by the judges on both occasions. Speaking on spinoff show It Takes Two, Small revealed: "I have to say, I am not an easy performer. Even though I sing for a living, the journey I have to go through to get to the stage is a long one, so going out there every Saturday - I mean, I don't sleep Friday night - I am terrified." Fortuna added: "I don't think people really understand (more)...
- 10/22/2008
- by By Daniel Kilkelly
- Digital Spy
Don Warrington has said that he respects the judges' decision to eliminate him from Strictly Come Dancing. The Rising Damp star was voted off the show after being voted into the bottom two alongside Heather Small. He then competed in the dance-off but did not win favour with the judges. Warrington said that he has no qualms with their choice to let him go. "It was the (more)...
- 10/21/2008
- by By Michael Thornton
- Digital Spy
Don Warrington has become the fifth celebrity to be eliminated from Strictly Come Dancing. The actor and his dance partner Lilia Kopylova were in the bottom two alongside Heather Small and Brian Fortuna after the male and female celebrities competed against each other for the first time in last night's show. Warrington's performance of the American Smooth had resulted in a lukewarm reception from the judges yesterday and he picked up just 25 points. "Well you were a bit off tonight," Bruno Tonioli explained. "For an actor it surprises me because you should get what the dance is about." Meanwhile, Craig Revel Horwood complained: "There were a few funky gesticulations (more)...
- 10/19/2008
- by By Daniel Kilkelly
- Digital Spy
Heather Small has admitted that she is desperate to prove herself on Strictly Come Dancing. The M People singer, who is paired with Brian Fortuna on this year's series, confirmed that the prospect of failure has been a long-term phobia for her. "I'm afraid of failure, not in a financial sense or anything like that. It's more of an emotional thing, especially when you put yourself out there and whatever you do will be judged," Heather told the Liverpool Daily Post. "You have to be able to say: 'I did my best, and I'm happy with what (more)...
- 10/18/2008
- by By Daniel Kilkelly
- Digital Spy
Heather Small has claimed that the Strictly Come Dancing judges were too "harsh" when they commented on her performance at the weekend. The M People singer and her partner Brian Fortuna faced criticism for poor footwork and a lack of energy after dancing the Quickstep in Saturday night's show. "I was surprised because I thought it was quite harsh," Heather admitted on spinoff show It Takes Two. "I enjoyed the dancing though, so I tried to take on board what they said, but it was a bit conflicting. When Craig [Revel Horwood] had to jump to my defence I knew that there was something going horribly wrong!" Fortuna added: "There were things that I agreed (more)...
- 10/14/2008
- by By Daniel Kilkelly
- Digital Spy
Jessie Wallace has become the fourth contestant to be eliminated from Strictly Come Dancing. The former EastEnders actress and her dance partner Darren Bennett were in the bottom two alongside Heather Small and Brian Fortuna following another all-female round of the competition. Wallace and Small, who had both danced the Quickstep in last night's show, were asked to perform again in the dance-off. As usual, their fates then lay in the hands of judges Craig Revel Horwood, Arlene Phillips, Len Goodman and Bruno Tonioli. (more)...
- 10/12/2008
- by By Daniel Kilkelly
- Digital Spy
Strictly Come Dancing star Heather Small has hinted that she will fight back against the show's judges if they slate her performance tonight. The M People singer and her professional partner Brian Fortuna will perform their first individual routine on tonight's episode of the BBC One ballroom show. "I wonder if the judges take bribes? They're so harsh," Small wrote in her training diary, published in The Mirror today. "If you make any mistake they magnify it and to (more)...
- 9/27/2008
- by By Daniel Kilkelly
- Digital Spy
Heather Small has refused to wear skimpy outfits on the new series of Strictly Come Dancing. The singer told producers that she does not want to follow in the footsteps of professional dancer Ola Jordan, who donned a revealing catsuit in the first live show last weekend. "Ola really worked that catsuit. You wondered, 'Who's she dancing with again?'. I am not mad keen on revealing a lot so I am going to try to make sure I am elegant," Heather (more)...
- 9/27/2008
- by By Daniel Kilkelly
- Digital Spy
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