🍿It’s Movie Week on Strictly Come Dancing & It’s Bananas 🍿

As Movie Week approaches on Strictly Come Dancing 2024, here’s what the contestants and their professional dance partners think about the movies.

Chris McCausland and Dianne Buswell

Which movie icon will you be channelling on Saturday night?
Chris: Mike Myers, Wayne’s World. We are hoping to incorporate a lot of the feel and comedy of the film into our dance. We’re hoping to get away with a few easter eggs for people of a certain age to recognise in our dance.

Who would play you in a movie of your life?
Dianne: Margot Robbie.
Chris: I’ll be played by Denzel Washington. He’s amazing. I want to be more like Denzel Washington. He can play anything so could probably do a decent blind white guy as well.

If your Strictly experience so far was to be turned into a blockbuster movie, who would play you and your pro partner, and what would it be called?
Chris: Dianne says I moan a lot about just how much effort and energy this is taking, so from her perspective I think it would be called “A Thousand Days of Moaning” – because that’s how it must feel.

How will you level up your acting skills during your routine? Is that something that comes naturally to you or is more of a struggle?
Chris: Stand-up is a combination of acting and being yourself, so I think a lot of those skills are transferable.

What would be the tagline for the movie of your life?
Chris: “He’s a man who needs a lie down.”

Which movie is your guilty pleasure?
Chris: While You Were Sleeping.

How do you feel about romantic movies?
Chris: I find them all a bit underwhelming, apart from While You Were Sleeping.

Do you like scary movies, if yes why/if no why not?
Chris: Yes. Feeling scared is good and I think if you never like feeling scared you never really put yourself out of your comfort zone. Start with a good horror movie and then do something scary in your life.

Describe your perfect movie night/day?
Chris: I very rarely watch a movie all the way through these days unless it’s 90 minutes long. But probably a new movie with my daughter and some popcorn and sweets.

If you could re-create any iconic movie dance scene on the Strictly dance floor, which one would it be and why?
Chris: I can only think of the one from Pulp Fiction so I’d have to say that I suppose.

Which movie villain do you think would make a surprisingly good Strictly dancer, and what dance style would they nail?
Chris: Freddy Krueger would probably do a decent cha-cha-cha and would strike a good pose. I think Craig would probably be too scared to call it rubbish as well.

Jamie Borthwick and Michelle Tsiakkas

Which movie icon will you be channelling on Saturday night?
Jamie: I’ll be channelling my inner Brad Pitt. They’ve gotta be sexy like me!

How will you level up your acting skills during your routine? Is that something that comes naturally to you or is more of a struggle?
Jamie: Well, actually, to perform on Strictly is different from performing on EastEnders. Because everything on EastEnders is, like, down and in, whereas on Strictly, it’s up and out. And I’m not used to that, so I do find that a bit of a challenge, actually.

If your Strictly experience so far were turned into a blockbuster movie, who would play you and your pro partner, and what would it be called?
Jamie: Leonardo DiCaprio would play me. Kate Winslet would play Michelle. And it would be called Titanic 2.

Who would play you in a movie of your life?
Jamie: Yeah, I think I’d play myself. No one can play me better than me. I know the story, I know how to channel Jamie.
Michelle: I’d probably play me too. I just need to learn how to act first.
Jamie: I’ll try and teach her. Got my work cut out, but I’ll try.

What would be the tagline for the movie of your life?
Against All Odds.

Which movie is your guilty pleasure?
Jamie: Mean Girls
Michelle: White Chicks

How do you feel about romantic movies?
Jamie + Michelle: Love them.

Do you like scary movies, if yes why/if no why not?
Jamie: Hate them
Michelle: Love them

Describe your perfect movie night/day?
Jamie: It’s cold and raining outside. Lamp on, so we’ve got the mood lighting. Tucked up on the sofa, like a bed. Blankets out, crisps, popcorn, a bit of chocolate. Drinks on the side, remote in the middle. But when the film starts, the remote goes away. Curtains closed, doors closed.
Michelle: Nice comfy pillows, blankets, candles are important. Get the diffuser going with lavender, some snacks, and maybe a glass of wine.

If you could re-create any iconic movie dance scene on the Strictly dance floor, which one would it be and why?
Jamie: American Pie: The Wedding, Stifler.

Which movie villain do you think would make a surprisingly good Strictly dancer, and what dance style would they nail?
Jamie: The Riddler from Batman

JB Gill and Amy Dowden MBE

Which movie icon are you going to embody for Movie Week?
JB: If I could channel my inner anybody, it would be my inner Denzel Washington. He’s played some iconic roles like Man on Fire and Training Day. I think I’d definitely be Oscar-worthy.

How will you level up your acting skills during your routine?
JB: When I’m dancing it’s kind of acting like I’m in a music video, which is cool. This week we’re doing the American Smooth to Wonka, which will be highly stylised. I’m familiar with the Charlie and the Chocolate Factory story, so I feel like I’ve got a head start.

If your Strictly experience were turned into a blockbuster movie, who would play you and Amy, and what would it be called?
JB: Cuba Gooding Jr. would play me. Amy could be played by Angelina Jolie or Scarlett Johansson. The movie could be called Dance Again.

Who would play you in the movie of your life?
JB: I have no idea to be honest with you but I’ll go with who I would be inspired by which is Denzel Washington.
Amy: Kylie Minogue.

What would be the tagline for the movie of your life?
Amy: Don’t get bitter, get better.
JB: Love that, that’s a good one.

Which movie is your guilty pleasure?
JB: Love Actually. It’s a great guilty pleasure every year.
Amy: Parent Trap, because I’m a twin.

Are you a fan of rom-coms?
JB: I’ll be honest with you, I’m not the first to put on a rom-com but my wife is a huge fan and gets upset when I watch movies without her so when she puts them on I get fully invested. The other day she put one on then fell asleep! I ended up watching the whole thing and thought it was really good.

Describe your perfect movie night.
Amy: I like it when it’s raining, winter vibes, fire going, cup of tea with a fleecy blanket.
JB: I’d have homemade popcorn!
Amy: Not for me… I’d have Christmas tins of chocolates.

If you could recreate any iconic movie dance scene on the Strictly dance floor, what would it be and why?
Amy: The dance scene from Billy Elliot where the character says, “Billy, tell me, why do you love to dance?” followed by I Love to Boogie is brilliant.
JB: Annie is another one that stands out for me. It’s one of the musicals I watched recently with my kids, and they absolutely loved it. Jamie Foxx and Rose Byrne were fantastic in their roles.

Which movie villain would make a surprisingly good Strictly dancer?
JB: Tom Hardy as Venom. He would nail the rumba.
Amy: Luke Evans as Gaston in Beauty and the Beast. He’d be fantastic.

Montell Douglas and Johannes Radebe

Which movie icon are you going to embody for Movie Week?
Montell: I’ll be one of the Dreamgirls, their fourth sister. I’m going to channel my inner leading lady. Try and bring her to the forefront.

How will you level up your acting skills during your routine? Is that something that comes naturally to you or is more of a struggle?
Montell: The storytelling part doesn’t come naturally, but I lean into it because it’s the only way I can bring myself to the dance and let the story come alive through not just movement but expression and emotion.

What would be the tagline for the movie of your life?
Montell and Johannes: Feel the fear and do it anyway.

Which movie is your guilty pleasure?
Johannes: Dreamgirls
Montell: Sister Act 2

How do you feel about romantic movies?
Johannes: A good rom-com is nice. I like old-school ones.
Montell: I like them, Adam Sandler meets Jennifer Aniston vibes.

Do you like scary movies, if yes why/if no why not?
Montell: I’m a massive fan of scary movies, especially horror. It’s my favourite genre.

Describe your perfect movie night/day?
Montell: Sweet popcorn for sure. And I love an actual movie theatre. Reclined seats, surround sound, humungous screen.
Johannes: Set the blanket up on the bed, microwave popcorn.

If you could re-create any iconic movie dance scene on the Strictly dance floor, which one would it be and why?
Montell: Joyful Joyful from Sister Act 2
Johannes: Anything from Dreamgirls

Which movie villain do you think would make a surprisingly good Strictly dancer, and what dance style would they nail?
Johannes: Jinkx Monsoon.
Montell: The Grinch. That’s it, hands down.

Nick Knowles and Luba Mushtuk

If you were to channel the energy of any famous actor for Movies Week, who would you channel?
Nick: Javier Bardem, yeah. He’s always a really strange, complex character in everything he does. I think it’s more fun playing a villain than a goodie, definitely. He’s always somebody strange in every movie he plays, and he’s an interesting character.

And how do you level up your acting skills during your routine? Is it something that comes naturally, or is it more of a challenge?
Nick: Acting comes more naturally than dancing, but Luba is coaching me in both.

If your Strictly experience so far were turned into a blockbuster movie, who would play you and Luba, and what would the movie be called?
Nick: Die Hard. And who would play Luba?
Luba: I’d say Jodie Comer would play me. Especially with her Villanelle accent – she’d be perfect.
Nick: I’m dancing with Killing Eve!
Luba: Would you still be Javier Bardem?
Nick: Actually, I think I’ll switch now to Bruce Willis.

Which movie is your guilty pleasure?
Nick: Kung Fu Panda.
Luba: Gone With the Wind.

And how do you feel about romantic movies or rom-coms?
Nick: I like rom-coms. I’m a massive fan of The Princess Bride – there’s so much in there for adults, even though it’s almost a children’s movie. I love it.
Luba: I love them. I cry, eat chocolate, and watch these beautiful love stories. Sweet November is one of my favourites.

What about scary movies?
Nick: Not for me.
Luba: Barbie was a scary movie for me – dystopian in a way.

If you could recreate any iconic movie dance scene on the Strictly dance floor, which one would it be and why?
Nick: Consider Yourself from Oliver! – the big marketplace scene where everyone joins in.
Luba: The tango scene from Shall We Dance? – It’s gorgeous.

Which movie villain do you think would make a surprisingly good Strictly dancer, and which dance style would they nail?
Nick: Voldemort doing the Viennese Waltz.
Luba: Maleficent doing the Tango. Definitely.

What’s your perfect movie night?
Nick: Snuggled on the sofa with my fiancée, in autumn or winter with dried fruit and a big bag of Revels, watching a rom-com.
Luba: Frozen blueberries, by myself, watching a series someone recommended.

Paul Merson and Karen Hauer

For Movies Week, if you were channelling the energy of any actor, who would that be?
Paul: Jack Nicholson, oh, absolutely classic.

How will you level up your acting skills during your routine? Is it something that comes naturally to you, or more of a struggle?
Paul: I struggle to be showbizzy!
Karen: It’s definitely a challenge, but we work on it together.

If your Strictly experience so far was to be turned into a blockbuster movie, who would play you and Karen, and what would it be called?
Paul: Oh, get me out of here! I’ll go with Jack Nicholson for me from One Flew Over the Cuckoos Nest, and Halle Berry for Karen. I was going to say Jennifer Lopez.

Who would play you in the movie of your life?
Paul: Oh, I’ll go with young Jamie Borthwick.
Karen: Jenna Ortega for sure.

What would be the tagline for the movie of your life?
Paul: What I live my life by, One Day at a Time. I think everyone should live by that.

Which movie is your guilty pleasure? What could you watch again and again?
Paul: Grown Ups. Anything that makes me laugh.
Karen: Rocky IV, hands down. The training montage is everything. It just gets me every time.

How do you feel about romantic movies? Are you like, nah, give me action, or do you enjoy them?
Paul: If I’m watching with Kate, I don’t mind a good rom-com.
Karen: The Notebook is heartbreaking, though I’m not a fan of cheese.

Scary movies – yes or no?
Paul: No way, not even a little bit. I’ll replay it in my head at home and freak myself out.
Karen: Nope, hard pass. Scary movies are not for me.

Describe your perfect movie night or day.
Paul: Cold, rainy, and dark outside. I’m on the sofa watching a funny film, something light that I can just get into.
Karen: I’m thinking 3pm, sunny but too hot outside, so I’m indoors with a nice glass of wine, the dogs, and a good documentary. For snacks, definitely something sweet.

If you could recreate any iconic movie dance scene on the Strictly dance floor, which one would it be, and why?
Karen: If I could say one for Paul, it would be John Travolta walking through the streets of New York in his white suit, then dancing in the club – iconic! It’s got swag, energy, everything.
Paul: My era, yeah I like that.

Which movie villain do you think would make a surprisingly good dancer on Strictly, and which dance would they nail?
Karen: Jafar from Aladdin
Paul: Gru from Despicable Me could do the Monster Mash.

Pete Wicks and Jowita Przystal

Pete, which actor are you going to channel for your Movies Week routine?
Pete: Joaquin Phoenix.

How will you level up your acting skills during the routine? Is that something that comes naturally to you or is it more of a struggle?
Pete: Much like dancing, I’ve never acted before. So it’s not a case of levelling up, it’s learning. It’s hard to be anyone other than myself, but I think it’s time I started being someone else. Being me hasn’t worked too well so far!
Jowita: I think you’ll surprise yourself! It’s all about embracing the character.

If your Strictly experience so far was to be turned into a blockbuster movie, who would play you and who would play Jowita, and what would it be called?
Pete: “Death on the Dance Floor,” starring Fred Astaire as me and Ginger Rogers as Jowita.
Jowita: Wow, I love that! Classic Hollywood.

Who would play you in the movie of your life, and Jowita in hers?
Pete: Mickey Rourke. He was in The Wrestler.
Jowita: Hmm, I’d have to say Jenna Ortega. I like her vibe!

Do you have a tagline for the movie of your life?
Pete: “It is what it is.”
Jowita: Live every day like it’s your first and last.

Which movie is your guilty pleasure, one you could watch over and over again?
Pete: The original The Lion King.

How do you feel about romantic movies?
Jowita: Yes, I had a huge crush on Hugh Grant when I was a child. The Notebook is one of my favourites.

What about scary movies? Are you a fan?
Jowita: I enjoy scaring people more than being scared! Silence of the Lambs is a favourite.
Pete: They’re alright. I love nutty films but I don’t really find them scary, I find them a bit funny. I’ll go Silence of the Lambs as well.

Describe your perfect movie night or day. What’s the weather like outside, and what snacks do you have?
Pete: Raining, log cabin in the middle of the woods, fire going, cold night. Couple of bottles of Malbec and cheese board.
Jowita: Snowy night, log cabin! A big bowl of salted popcorn.

If you could recreate any iconic movie dance scene on the Strictly dance floor, which one would it be, and why?
Pete: The Joker dancing down the stairs. It’s the only one I know, but it’s iconic.
Jowita: For me, it would be the Tango scene from Scent of a Woman. It’s just beautiful.

Which movie villain do you think would make a surprisingly good Strictly dancer, and which dance would they nail?
Pete: Scar from The Lion King would do a great Paso Doble. I’ve been compared to him before.
Jowita: The Joker for sure.

Dr Punam Krishan and Gorka Márquez

Which movie icon are you going to embody for Movie Week?
Punam: I will be channelling my inner Kareena Kapoor – mega Bollywood icon

How will you level up your acting skills during your routine? Is that something that comes naturally to you or is more of a struggle?
Punam: Having grown up with Bollywood influences, I understand how important the accents of the music are and the lyrics so I’m hoping it’ll work out in my favour.

If your Strictly experience so far were turned into a blockbuster movie, who would play you and your pro partner, and what would it be called?
Punam: It would be a cheesy romcom

Which movie is your guilty pleasure?
Punam: Love Actually

How do you feel about romantic movies?
Punam: Love them! My favourite kind of movies – I live for the cheese!

Do you like scary movies, if yes why/if no why not?
Punam: Not my cup of tea – too stressful and can’t sleep after them.

Describe your perfect movie night/day?
Punam: Nachos, gin and tonic, blanket!

If you could re-create any iconic movie dance scene on the Strictly dance floor, which one would it be and why?
Punam: I’m about to do it on Saturday !

Sam Quek MBE and Nikita Kuzmin

Are you going to channel your inner Marilyn Monroe on Movies Week?
Sam: I’m more of a Miss Congeniality girl.
Nikita: I think you’ll be channelling more your inner Lara Croft.

How will you level up your acting skills during your routine?
Sam: I just have to feel the character. Be the character.
Nikita: Your character in week one was so good. In the training room you were holding back but because you trust what I’m saying you do put yourself out there completely. Therefore you have this beautiful character and you’ll be great.

If your Strictly experience so far were turned into a blockbuster movie, who would play you and your pro partner, and what would it be called?
Sam: Nikita would be Leonardo DiCaprio in the Titanic era because he has similar hair, fashion and confidence. I would want Sandra Bullock because I love her. She’s one of my favourite actors, she’s a legend. It would be called something like Transformation.
Nikita: it would be called The Glitterbullet.

Which movie is your guilty pleasure?
Sam: so many. Two Weeks Notice is a classic. I used to have it on VCR. I’ve got an obsession with Sandra Bullock!
Nikita: Harry Potter – all of them.

How do you feel about romantic movies?
Nikita: I love romantic movies. I love to cry. I was the only boy in the cinema when I went to see It Ends With Us and I was weeping at the end. It’s a good ending to a difficult story.
Sam: I love a good rom com.

Do you like scary movies, if yes why/if no why not?
Nikita: No. I have nightmares.
Sam: I think they’re actually quite funny. A group of us GB girls went to watch Paranormal Activity at the cinema when it first came out and it was so scary but it was quite funny because you’re terrified. Everyone in the cinema was terrified.
Nikita: I’m afraid of the dark so it’s a no from me.

Describe your perfect movie night?
Sam: the kids are in bed and they’ve gone straight to bed with no messing around. It’s just me and Tom, the heating’s on so it’s the perfect temperature and we’d get a takeaway with good condiments.
Nikita: white wine. A nice rom com.
Sam: PS I Love You or How To Lose A Guy In 10 Days
Nikita: I love candles. I have a huge table size candle with seven wicks, I’d light that.

If you could re-create any iconic movie dance scene on the Strictly dance floor, which one would it be and why?
Sam: I really want to do Beauty and The Beast with the big yellow dress. Candles in the background, floor lit up, a chandelier.
Nikita: La La Land.

Which movie villain do you think would make a surprisingly good Strictly dancer, and what dance style would they nail?
Sam: The Joker would be a good one. Tom Hiddleston is a great dancer so Loki would be great.
Nikita: Thanos from The Avengers.

Sarah Hadland and Vito Coppola

How will you level up your acting skills during your routine? Is that something that comes naturally to you or is more of a struggle?
Sarah: The acting bit is the part I look forward to the absolute most because that’s obviously my job and it’s the bit I’m most confident doing. I really look forward to it. That was the thing that made me want to be a performer, I love performing. That’s kind of my comfort zone. The thing I find hard is being vampy or in any way sexy. I haven’t had to do it yet.

If your Strictly experience so far were turned into a blockbuster movie, who would play you and your pro partner, and what would it be called?
Sarah: Bella Ramsey. I think they are amazing. Could the older me be Su Pollard? Who could play Vito? I’d probably say I want the gorgeous man married to Penelope Cruz, Javier Bardem. Oh actually, could Penelope Cruz play me? I’ve changed the casting! Penelope Cruz and Javier Bardem please.

Who would play you in a movie of your life?
Sarah: the film title would be ‘What Happened?’

Which movie is your guilty pleasure?
Sarah: I love films that make you cry. You know when you feel like you need a good weep. I want to be weeping or laughing. Preferably both.

Describe your perfect movie night/day?
Sarah: Family on the sofa with a duvet. Percy the cat on there somewhere, whoever’s lap he’s chosen to sit on. Popcorn. I would melt cooking chocolate in the microwave and stir freshly made popcorn into it. Yes, I will be having my own cooking show.

If you could re-create any iconic movie dance scene on the Strictly dance floor, which one would it be and why?
Sarah: Always Pulp Fiction. Jay and Aliona’s doing the Pulp Fiction dance. I absolutely love that. It was for me the ultimate performance. I screamed when I watched it. I must have watched it 100 times. It’s so cool and effortless and perfectly done.

Which movie villain do you think would make a surprisingly good Strictly dancer, and what dance style would they nail?
Sarah: Having been in a Bond film, technically I’m a Bond girl. I was a receptionist in Quantum of Solace, so any of the Bond villains. I’d love to see all of the villains doing a group dance together. I think it would be really good for them and their personal skillset
to learn how to work together.

Shayne Ward and Nancy Xu

Will you have to level up your acting skills for your routine?
Shayne: I definitely will be leaning on my acting skills but I’m very excited to see what Nancy has for me. Nancy is full of ideas and it’s exciting.

If your Strictly experience so far was turned into a blockbuster movie, who would play you and Nancy, and what would it be called?
Nancy: I want to play me. I think the most famous and successful actors always play similar characters to themselves. If you ask someone to step in to play our characters, I think, apart from ourselves, no one could.

Shayne: We’re also very young which helps. Normally you might go to the Tom Cruises of the world but let’s play ourselves. Great answer.

What would it be called? And what would the tagline be?
Makes Sense.

Which movie is your guilty pleasure?
Nancy: Cartoons, normally Tom and Jerry. I love it. That’s my guilty pleasure because you know what’s coming. Actually, Detective Conan from Case Closed. He’s a very famous Japanese cartoon.
Shayne: I wouldn’t say it’s a guilty pleasure but I love anything with Vikings in like The Last Kingdom.

How do you feel about romantic movies? How did you love the from us.
Shayne: Love them.
Nancy: Romantic movies are the ones I always want to put myself in. Even as a choreographer, I love to create something dramatic that hits people straight away and I love it. I love romantic movies.
Shayne: There’s too many to choose, so I’ll just choose three. PS. I Love You. It’s sad, but heartbreaking, but also beautiful. I would then choose The Holiday with Kate Winslet and as a kid, I used to love Robin Hood, Prince of Thieves, with Kevin Costner.

And do you like scary movies?
Shayne: Yes, that’s my favourite. I love certain scary movies because I love Halloween. I love the Halloween theme more because you get to dress up and put up decorations then take the kids trick or treating. When I was younger, I was very much into the paranormal too.
Nancy: No. Everyone knows.

Describe your perfect movie night or day.
Shayne: I’d like to create a room that’s full of cushions and a big screen. Then my kids would be in their pyjamas and they’d have some treats and a drink, I’d have chocolate, anything sweet actually like chocolate cakes or cookies. We’d get a takeaway and Sophie will have some wine, then we’ll watch a movie. Probably Minions.

If you could recreate any iconic movie dance scene on the Strictly dance floor which one would it be and why?
Shayne: It’s too obvious to go for Dirty Dancing because it’s been done or maybe something like Footloose. Oh actually, La La Land.

Tasha Ghouri and Aljaž Škorjanec

Which movie icon are you going to embody for Movie Week?
Tasha: I’m going to channel my inner Marilyn Monroe she’s such a strong character, and as a woman, she’s someone we look up to. I want to bring that independence and boss woman energy to the routine. I think it’s going to be amazing.

How will you level up your acting skills during the routine? Is that something that comes naturally to you, or is it more of a challenge?
Tasha: It’s something I definitely need to work on in rehearsals. By the end of the week, it really comes to life. The song for movies week is also one I relate to emotionally, so I think I’ll be able to connect with it and bring the character to life naturally. The character will be the bonus layer, making it extra special.

If your Strictly experience so far were turned into a blockbuster movie, who would play you and your pro partner, and what would it be called?
Tasha: Margot Robbie would play me, and Patrick Swayze would play Aljaž. The film would be called Misty Blue (our song from last week!)

Who would play you in the movie of your life?
Tasha: Cameron Diaz! The main girl from The Holiday. She embodies characters so well, and I think she’s awesome.
Aljaž: For me, it’d be Edward Norton. I love his work, and I don’t think he’s ever made a bad film.

What would be the tagline for the movie of your life?
Tasha: “Nobody is you, and that’s your biggest superpower.” I believe in that so much.
Aljaž: One word… “Juggling.” It describes life perfectly.

Which movie is your guilty pleasure?
Tasha: The Blind Side. I love the meaning behind it, and I think it’s so beautiful. I could watch it over and over.
Aljaž: True Lies, with Arnold Schwarzenegger and Jamie Lee Curtis. I’ve probably seen it the most.

How do you feel about rom-coms and romantic movies?
Tasha: Big fan! I love them all. Andrew hates it, though. Endless Love is my favourite, but The Notebook is up there too.
Aljaž: I’m with Andrew on this one. Maybe Andrew and I can watch True Lies together while Tasha and Janette watch rom-coms. My favourite romantic film? Probably Titanic, although there’s not much comedy in that one.

How do you feel about scary movies and horror films?
Tasha: It depends. Some of them are funny, but the ones with serial killers scare me. I’ll go to sleep thinking someone’s upstairs!
Aljaž: I don’t mind gory films, like Saw. I can handle that because I know it’s all fake. But I don’t understand why people choose to be scared when they could watch something with a great story instead.

Describe your perfect movie night or day.
Tasha: I’d be in the living room with snacks, melted chocolate, and strawberries. Maybe a romcom marathon or even an action film. I just love sitting in and watching movies.
Aljaž: During COVID, we watched all the Harry Potter and Lord of the Rings movies back-to-back. I also love The Godfather – it’s so well-acted and brilliantly filmed. And I’m a big fan of Quentin Tarantino movies too.

If you could recreate any iconic movie dance scene on the Strictly dance floor, what would it be and why?
Aljaž: Scent of a Woman. There’s a beautiful tango scene with Al Pacino, and I’ve done it in my own shows, but never on Strictly. The music is just unbelievable.
Tasha: For me, it would be The Greatest Showman. I love the modern, fresh energy of the music and the incredible dance scenes.

Which movie villain would make a surprisingly good dancer on Strictly, and what dance style would they nail?
Tasha: Ursula from The Little Mermaid. She’d definitely nail the Paso Doble in a long octopus costume. It would be sick!

Toyah Willcox and Neil Jones

Are you going to be channelling your inner Marilyn Monroe for movies week?
Toyah: I will not be channelling my inner Marilyn Monroe for movies week because I’m going to be an octopus. I’m going to be purple and I really don’t know how I feel about it. Neil’s going to be dancing with my tentacles, which is one of the most bizarre things I’ve ever heard in my life.

Will you be levelling up your acting skills for movies week?
Toyah: I tell you what I really love about Neil because he’s an absolute polymer. He can do everything and he’s a fantastic actor which means it gives me the confidence and the ability to act as well. So, I’m going to be as evil and mean and bossy as I possibly can be.

If your Strictly experience so far was turning to a blockbuster movie, who would play you and Neil?
Toyah: I would play me and Neil would play him. We would have a fantastic time making the movie.

Who would play you in a movie of your life?
Toyah: I wouldn’t wish that on anyone. Maybe Leslie Manville who is a wonderful actress who was nominated for an Oscar in Phantom Thread and she was in Harlots. I think Brad Pitt should play Neil.
Neil: Brad Pitt? I was going to say Rupert Grint!

What would be the tagline for the movie of your life?
Toyah: Survivor. That’s my tagline, Survivor.
Neil: Stay in the shade.

Which movie is your guilty pleasure?
Toyah: Alien or Dune with Timothee Chalamet.
Neil: City Lights, Charlie Chaplin.

How do you feel about romantic movies?
Toyah: I never watch them.
Neil: I don’t watch them either. I’m leading one of the group numbers, which is a rom com. And I said, you know, I don’t watch rom coms!
Toyah: I love Call Me By Your Name actually. I just love the acting, the directing, the script. Timothée Chalamet is breathtaking in it.

Do you like scary movies?
Neil: I don’t feel they’re scary enough.
Toyah: I love them. I find them so stimulating. I like being frightened. It excites me in a very strange way.
Neil: I love a good scary movie that at the end there’s no conclusion and you know that you can’t stop that evil. That gets me thinking.

Describe your perfect movie nights.
Toyah: I had the perfect movie night on Boxing Day last year watching Saltburn. We didn’t expect it to be so good so we watched it immediately again. It’s one of those films that changes you, it’s so clever.
Neil: I love going to the cinema. I really love it. I need popcorn if I go to the cinema. I’ve actually driven to the cinema from home to buy the popcorn because I like it so much and I don’t want to do the whole microwave thing.

What dance scene from a movie would you like to recreate?
Toyah: I wish I’d told everyone I was doing Saltburn for movies week!
Toyah: The scene at the end where he dances naked around the house at the end. He’s dancing to Sophie Ellis-Bextor Murder On The Dancefloor. It’s beautiful. That or The Graduate or Sunset Boulevard.

Which movie villain do you think would make a surprisingly good, Strictly dancer, and what dance style would they nail?
Toyah: Well Barry Keoghan’s character in Saltburn or maybe Peaky Blinders. Cillian Murphy’s character would be great.
Neil: He’s not really a villain, though. Is he a villain?
Toyah: Aren’t they all in Peaky Blinders? You could create the whole of that kind of Birmingham street culture.
Neil: Hannibal Lecter doing the Samba could be good.

Wynne Evans and Katya Jones

Are you going to channel your inner Tom Hanks / George Clooney on Movies Week?
Wynne: I’m definitely not going to be channelling my inner Marilyn Monroe, I’m going to be channelling Rebel Wilson.

How will you level up your acting skills during your routine? Is that something that comes naturally to you or is more of a struggle?
Wynne: It’s new boundaries, shall we say. It’s totally new for me, although I did once sing in an opera – Venetian opera, actually. Years ago, they used to put men into women’s roles, so I’ve done that once before in an opera. But we’re talking 30 years ago. It’s been a long time. A long time since I had heels on. Let’s put it like that.

If your Strictly experience so far were turned into a blockbuster movie, who would play you and your pro partner, and what would it be called?
Wynne: Twins, with Danny DeVito (Wynne) and Arnold Schwarzenegger (Katya). The ratios not quite right but the vibes are.

Who would play you in a movie of your life?
Wynne – Clooney, obviously. He’s the only one with the looks. But probably Anthony Hopkins.
Katya – Anne Hathaway.

What would be the tagline for the movie of your life?
Wynne and Katya: It’s not real!

Which movie is your guilty pleasure?
Katya – Amélie
Wynne – I can give you my top three. Pretty Woman, Top Gun, The Bodyguard

How do you feel about romantic movies?
Wynne and Katya: Love them!

Do you like scary movies, if yes why/if no why not?
Katya: Hate them. Can’t stand sci-fi either.

Which movie villain do you think would make a surprisingly good Strictly dancer, and what dance style would they nail?
Wynne: I think Richard E. Grant would be great. He’d look fantastic in the ballroom. Oh, I know who’d also be brilliant! Bill Nighy. He’s not exactly a villain, but he played that eccentric character in Love Actually.
Katya: Heath Ledger would be great.

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