Les Dennis compares 'hardest' show Strictly to Black Swan (original) (raw)
Watch Les Dennis compare 'hardest' show Strictly to Black Swan
What did you miss?
Les Dennis has compared taking part in Strictly to ballet horror film Black Swan, saying: "It is the hardest thing ever."
The comedian was on the BBC programme last year, where he was paired with pro Nancy Xu and was the first celeb to be eliminated. He has now joked that it felt as if he was in actor Natalie Portman's 2010 film, which sees a ballerina losing her grasp on reality as she struggles with the pressures of competing for a part.
Dennis made the comment on ITV's Good Morning Britain as he discussed his experience on Strictly amid its current crisis, which has seen pro Graziano Di Prima exiting after it was revealed he kicked dance partner Zara McDermott and dancer Giovanni Pernice leaving following allegations about his conduct, which he denies.
Les Dennis took part in Strictly Come Dancing 2023. (BBC)
What, how and why?
Dennis said his own experience in the ballroom had been "great", but admitted the show was challenging. "I used to joke with friends I felt like I was in Black Swan," he said.
Asked if it was that "tough", he said: "It is. Because your professional partner wants to win as much as you and really wants to push you outside of your comfort zone."
"I was only there for two weeks," he went on. "You rehearse with your partner separately, I was in a bubble at home or wherever I was on tour. My experience was great."
In all seriousness though, the star revealed just how tough the BBC show can be for those celebrities taking part in it. "It's the hardest thing ever," said Dennis.
Les Dennis talked about his time on Strictly Come Dancing. (ITV screengrab)
What has happened on Strictly Come Dancing?
The launch of Strictly this year has been overshadowed by allegations of bullying and misconduct.
The show’s crisis started after last year's contestant Amanda Abbington pulled out of the competition early and went on to suggest her pro partner Pernice’s behaviour was “unnecessary, abusive, cruel and mean". He has denied the claims and has made it clear he looks forward to clearing his name, but has left the show after nine years.
Les Dennis was paired with Nancy Xu on Strictly. (BBC)
Then Di Prima left after it emerged that he had kicked McDermott. In a new interview he has told the Daily Mail he is "not an abusive man" and that he "wasn't meaning" to kick the Love Island star.
Di Prima said he had been going back and forth over what could have happened, explaining: "The only thing I can think of is the time I kicked the floor in frustration... I wasn't meaning to kick her. I'd never, never do that. My foot brushed her after I kicked the floor. Afterwards, I hugged her and said I was sorry.”
Strictly Come Dancing returns to BBC One this autumn.