Afgespeeld
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In the third part of a new mini-series entitled ’Strictly Speaking’, Kevin invites you into the conversation around some of the greatest dances, partners and moments throughout his Strictly Come Dancing journey!
This time, Kevin is joined by the partner with whom he shared his greatest success, both on-and-off the screen, BBC presenter Miss Stacey Dooley. Together they lifted the Strictly crown in 2018, but the journey was long and filled with unexpected surprises… In this week’s show, Kevin and Stacey discuss their first six weeks together on the show, and invite you to watch along by using the special links below!
KEY TAKEAWAYS
Secrecy is the key to stimulating the viewers’ and the pro’s interest. No-one finds out who they’re partnered with until the very moment it’s revealed on air!
It takes several weeks to develop the trust and friendship that inspires true creativity in dance. Stacey and Kevin hit it off almost immediately, which led to some wonderful innovation early on.
The concepts behind the stories in Strictly dances have a sell-by date. By catching the zeitgeist you can add to the audience involvement, but if you miss it, it can send the wrong kind of message.
People watch Strictly to be entertained, not to see the most classic examples of dance. The memorable pairings are the ones who embrace that concept.
BEST MOMENTS
‘I was cheddar because I was the most common!’
‘You said I looked like a car salesman walking you to the nearest car!’
’No-one watches Strictly so that they can see people taking themselves seriously’
‘I’ll sacrifice precision for fun!’
VALUABLE RESOURCES
Week 1 - Quickstep - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ssQMXa5Rf0U
Week 2 - Cha Cha Cha - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D2jNT1NsAD0
Week 3 - Jive - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KABjoVp8JMw
Week 4 - Foxtrot - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SeELaJfI2m8
Week 5 - Samba - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5yUEGFIRNwc
Week 6 - Tango - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bGQCD6TG244
The Kevin Clifton Show - https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/the-kevin-clifton-show/id1475650764
ABOUT THE HOST
Kevin Clifton is a professional dancer who has been performing & competing at the highest level for over a decade. Kevin has worked on shows like 'Burn the floor' & 'Rock of Ages' to 'Strictly Come Dancing' one of the biggest TV shows in the UK which Kevin won in 2018.
CONTACT METHOD
Kevin Clifton Instagram
Kevin Clifton Facebook
Kevin Clifton YouTube
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Burn The Floor, one of Kevin’s longest-running passion projects, has been postponed for safety reasons, and the impact of this has put him in a reflective mood. The show is the original, and most famous ballroom dance show in the world, and for those of you who may now be in need of a Burn-The-Floor fix until the show hits the road again, Kevin is here to tell you all about how the show began, and why it matters so much to the industry and its audience.
KEY TAKEAWAYS
With the end of social gatherings for the time being, the theatrical industry has been hard hit. Many workers are self-employed, and even those who are employed are dependent upon audiences, which are no longer there.Burn The Floor was the original ballroom dance event, and spawned many imitators due to its success. But even though the landscape now sees many more of these shows, Burn The Floor will always be the greatest and most renowned.The show was born when Elton John decided to arrange for a group of dancers to perform at a birthday party. The dancers stepped up the task admirably, and in the wake of its success, decided to take their show on the road.For the first time, ballroom became about story and narrative, character and drama. The result was an incredibly unique blend of dance and theatre, the likes of which the world had never experienced before.Kevin’s initial reaction to joining Burn The Floor was one of awe. It was an atmosphere of pure creativity, boundless energy and imagination, and built upon the principles of pushing dance into a whole new arena.Burn The Floor is constantly in "work-shop” phase. It’s a show that is always evolving, even when it’s on the road. New ideas are welcomed, and if they’re deemed suitably exciting, are added in order to make the show even fresher and more exciting.Burn The Floor was quickly taken to Broadway by producers who could see the potential behind the show. The original run there was supposed to last a mere eight weeks, but such was the show’s success that the run was extended to eight months.After leaving the show, Kevin found that he could never quite tear himself away from it mentally. The show’s legacy, its many gifts in terms of profile-building, and the experience in general, were impossible to deny or forget.Burn The Floor is a rare example of a show that works no matter where it's performed. It truly shows dance as a universal art-form, unbound by verbal language, and uniting audiences through means of purely physical artistry.BEST MOMENTS
‘Back then, the only things happening in ballroom dancing were competitions’
‘It was about pushing the techniques as far as they would go in order to create theatre’
‘Every single one of them was giving every ounce of sweat to what they were doing’
’The creativity in the room was astounding’
‘It’s happened - We’re going to Broadway…'
‘You have to be a part of Burn The Floor to understand just how special it is’
VALUABLE RESOURCES
The Kevin Clifton Show - https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/the-kevin-clifton-show/id1475650764
ABOUT THE HOST
Kevin Clifton is a professional dancer who has been performing & competing at the highest level for over a decade. Kevin has worked on shows like 'Burn the floor' & 'Rock of Ages' to 'Strictly Come Dancing' one of the biggest TV shows in the UK which Kevin won in 2018.
CONTACT METHOD
Kevin Clifton Instagram
Kevin Clifton Facebook
Kevin Clifton YouTube
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In this in-depth episode, Kevin is in conversation with Chris Mann, Portrait Photographer, they are great friends and share a passion for the expression of the artist, whatever the medium.
This is a great listen as they discuss their own artistic disciplines and the ways in which its important to reach people and truly touch them emotionally.
Chris started out as an actor and moved into photography where he now specialises in headshots that truly capture the individual.
All art is context, it’s about the deeper meaning, the journey taken, explored and the arrival at that particular moment listen in and hear about Chris’s journey.
KEY TAKEAWAYS
You can’t learn anything inside your own experience if you know it you know it and you’ll be standing still.
What I do, the headshots are so similar every day that now I’m an expert at it but there is creativity in it, people come to me because they need something it’s much more important to facilitate what they want – looking like themselves, looking interesting
I saw a problem with how headshots were taken, that people are always expected to be still.
I’ve never had a decent headshot taken - I’ve never been still.
Creativity is an itch for me that has to be scratched but it doesn’t have to be about being in front of others my voice can be heard and I can say what I want to say through my camera
I still take pictures of other things to meet my creativity these photos belong to me alone whereas headshots are about being with and working with someone else.
By asking yourself questions and looking at things differently you can move your art forward
Dance is a physical vocabulary
People do the weirdest things with their bodies when you don’t get in the way of it and it photographs beautifully because it’s authentic.
The only thing that can bring a moving 3d human look and feel like themselves in a flat 2d photograph is the series of shapes their body and face make on a macro and micro level as they exist.
The things that are inherently them are the micro muscles around their eyes to the whole movement of heads and shoulders, what they do to exist.
Art is about saying and expressing something that cannot be communicated in any other way.
I don’t need to prove I was there; I need to prove I was there and saw something different
When people come for in for a headshot they haven’t been waiting to do that shot all their lives they’ve been walking around perfectly fine up until that point.
Photography is about a box and it’s my job to facilitate the shapes within it.
Photography is about resonance and recklessness.
All art is context, it’s about the deeper meaning, the journey taken, explored and the arrival at that particular moment.
Positive biased confirmation is very strong, in art we see what we want to see. Great art lets you see other things about yourself.
BEST MOMENTS
‘It’s the difference between doing your job and discovering’
‘A lot of what I do is problem-solving’
‘You should never be disappointed with your headshot’
VALUABLE RESOURCES
The Kevin Clifton Show podcast
Chris Mann Portraits
Chris Mann Instagram
ABOUT THE HOST
Kevin Clifton is a professional dancer who has been performing & competing at the highest level for over a decade. Kevin has worked on shows like 'Burn the floor' & 'Rock of Ages' to 'Strictly Come Dancing' one of the biggest TV shows in the UK which Kevin won in 2018.
CONTACT METHOD
Kevin Clifton Instagram
Kevin Clifton Facebook
Kevin Clifton YouTube
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Rhiannon Chesterman is one of the UK’s most prolific and talented musical theatre performers, having starred in a variety of productions both in the West End, and in and around the country. Her latest role is the lead, Julia Sullivan, in Kevin’s current stage hit, The Wedding Singer!
Kevin and Rhiannon took time out from their hectic performing schedule to chat about how Rhiannon got started, how she creates her characters, what life’s like as a stage performer, and what keeps her motivated. It’s a fascinating insight behind the stage curtain, and essential listening for aspiring performers and theatre-fans alike
KEY TAKEAWAYS
The Wedding Singer is proving to be a joyful experience, due to the fact the company are all kind, generous and considerate. It’s rare for a company to bond and perform so well, and these atmospheres are greatly creative to work in.This is Rhiannon’s first large-scale musical lead part. She’s played in many shows before, but has never been so heavily featured. It’s daunting, but incredible.It’s sometimes easy, when playing a part already established by other actors, to simply do an impression of their prior performance. Both Kevin and Rhiannon were keen not to impersonate Drew Barrymore and Adam Sandler. They simply reflected the spirit and tone of the original film.Rhiannon’s approach to portraying a character is to first find out who the character is, and then add her own touches by drawing upon similar memories in her own life. This makes it easier to leave a character at work each night.Critics are useful in marketing a play, but it’s useless to try and please all of them. The most important people to please are the audiences each night. It was seeing a West End performance of Cats that made Rhiannon decide to take up a career on the stage. She devoted herself to bettering her voice through choir work, and slowly developed her vocals and her confidence.Rejection early on in Rhiannon’s career didn’t deter her from her aim of being a performer. She credits the support of her family during this period, as well as using each rejection to drive her forward.Every shot at a role might be the break you’ve been searching for. Actors spend so much time rehearsing, and in some cases, investing their own money, into preparing for auditions. It’s a costly, exhausting, and sometimes heart-breaking process. But it’s all part of being an actor.BEST MOMENTS
‘I always fancy doing some jigsaw puzzles’
‘Each piece of art is different’
‘Comedy comes from a place of truth’
‘Know who you’re going to be, and know who your show is for’
‘I do read the reviews, but I don’t take them to heart’
‘You have to deal with the down-times. That’s the hard bit’
‘It’s about having respect for the people that come into the room'
VALUABLE RESOURCES
The Kevin Clifton Show - https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/the-kevin-clifton-show/id1475650764
Rhiannon Chesterman Twitter - https://twitter.com/RhiannonSarahC
The Wedding Singer Twitter - https://twitter.com/WedSingLondon
Rhiannon Chesterman Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/rhiannonchesterman/?hl=en
ABOUT THE HOST
Kevin Clifton is a professional dancer who has been performing & competing at the highest level for over a decade. Kevin has worked on shows like 'Burn the floor' & 'Rock of Ages' to 'Strictly Come Dancing' one of the biggest TV shows in the UK which Kevin won in 2018.
CONTACT METHOD
Kevin Clifton Instagram
Kevin Clifton Facebook
Kevin Clifton YouTube
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This week, Kevin chats to footballer, broadcaster and Strictly Come Dancing fan favourite, Alex Scott MBE, who joins the show to talk about the unexpected similarities between football and dancing, the importance of constantly finding new challenges, the qualities that make a good leader, why hard work matters more than talent, and the incredible story of Alex’s journey so far.
Plus, tea and cake come courtesy of a very special guest...
KEY TAKEAWAYS
There are a striking number of similarities between dancing and football, most notably the audience interaction and the team dynamics that come through being part of such a huge coordinated effort.The training, too, is very similar in terms of the correct diet, the fact that rest is encouraged and planned for, and that the performances are a mixture of excitement and nerves.Leadership is becoming a person who puts the team before the individual. Alex has been selected as leaders of many of her ventures, especially in sport, for this very reason. When you’re participating in such high-pressure activities, it’s vitally important to make sure that we enjoy what we’re doing. These chances don’t come around very often, and being there is a privilege’Alex remains thankful for each moment of her incredible journey. Growing up, she never thought it was possible to live such a happy and varied life, and so makes sure to enjoy each day, and to marvel at how far she has come.People so often only see the end result, and don’t consider the process that goes into it. There are pressures, intensity and incredible amounts of hard work and training behind the scenes of any kind of performance, that often go unrecognised.Talent will give you a short-term leg up, but it’s hard work that gets you to where you want to go. Kevin was rejected twice for Strictly, and Alex is often dismissed as a presenter or broadcaster by those who say she is part of someone’s agenda. But their persistence and hard work have seen them rise to the top of their professions.We are always the person responsible for what we have done. Accountability and self-analysis have been the driving factors behind Alex’s remarkable success.Alex’s professionalism came to the fore when she found herself having to change partners during the Strictly series, due to her original partner being injured. But as she puts it, if you panic in those situations, it prevents the job from being done. Always look for the positives and get the job done.BEST MOMENTS
‘You’ve got to eat your food, you’ve got to rest, you’ve got to go again. It’s repeat, repeat’
‘Leaders allow different personalities to come through’
‘It’s a pressure and a privilege’
‘I’m managing to do things that are beyond my wildest dreams’
‘Hard work beats talent when talent doesn’t want to work hard’
‘Healthy nutritious biscuits!'
‘I need to give them what they came for’
’She just can’t believe that you’re all real'
VALUABLE RESOURCES
The Kevin Clifton Show - https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/the-kevin-clifton-show/id1475650764
Alex Scsott Twitter - https://twitter.com/AlexScott
The Gold Mine Effect - Rasmus Ankersen - https://www.amazon.co.uk/Gold-Mine-Effect-Secrets-Performance/dp/1848317107/
ABOUT THE HOST
Kevin Clifton is a professional dancer who has been performing & competing at the highest level for over a decade. Kevin has worked on shows like 'Burn the floor' & 'Rock of Ages' to 'Strictly Come Dancing' one of the biggest TV shows in the UK which Kevin won in 2018.
CONTACT METHOD
Kevin Clifton Instagram
Kevin Clifton Facebook
Kevin Clifton YouTube
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This week, Kevin has come to Manchester to join the fun behind the scenes of the now-underway Strictly Come Dancing Tour, with Stacey Dooley! Stacey talks about the difference between rehearsals and live shows (and why the latter is actually easier), the downsides of social media interaction, and the importance of living in the moment.
Kevin also talks about the preparations he’s currently working through for the upcoming opening of his news stage show, ’The Wedding Singer'.
KEY TAKEAWAYS
During rehearsals, Stacey felt incredibly nervous, but as soon as the live shows, the nerves seemed to evaporate. It seems to get easier once the audience are in attendance, which is rather surreal.Stacey’s confidence has grown since the shows began. With confidence comes comfort, and so with each successive date, the atmosphere of enjoyment and camaraderie has increased.The best part of the tour is that everyone has come to be entertained. The competition aspect is secondary to the “night out” atmosphere.After a recent experience on social media, Kevin has become increasingly frustrated by the rudeness and impoliteness of social media users, who seem to think that it’s okay to insult the people he loves. The worst part is that responding to such comments generally results in indignant behaviour from the original commenter.Having an opinion on something is very different from the choice to state that opinion, especially if it’s a hurtful one. Why do people feel the need to go out of their way to make hurtful comments? What do they hope to achieve by doing so?Kevin is finding the entire process of rehearsals for The Wedding Singer to be a very creative environment. He credits the people he’s working with as the reason for this, as their talents are allowing his creativity to thrive.By concentrating too much on what might happen in the future, or the outcome, you will miss out on the moment. We need to ensure that we live in the moment, and that we don’t dwell too much on the past or future.The Wedding Singer has been such a joyous experience to prepare for, that Kevin has been unable to think about anything but the moment, and has therefore seen his anxiety and stress levels decline spectacularly.BEST MOMENTS
‘My obsession with Gloria Estefan has continued into 2020’
‘A massive audience changes the whole vibe of the room’
’Prosecco flying everywhere…'
‘Everyone’s on your side’
’The overriding message is “Just be kind"'
‘And now you live for Stormzy!’
VALUABLE RESOURCES
The Kevin Clifton Show - https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/the-kevin-clifton-show/id1475650764
The Power Of Now - Eckhart Tolle - https://www.amazon.co.uk/Power-Now-Guide-Spiritual-Enlightenment/dp/0340733500/
Strictly Come Dancing 2020 Tour - http://strictlycomedancinglive.com/tour-dates-2020/
The Wedding Singer - See Tickets - https://www.lastminute.com/tickets/london-theatre/musicals/the-wedding-singer
ABOUT THE HOST
Kevin Clifton is a professional dancer who has been performing & competing at the highest level for over a decade. Kevin has worked on shows like 'Burn the floor' & 'Rock of Ages' to 'Strictly Come Dancing' one of the biggest TV shows in the UK which Kevin won in 2018.
CONTACT METHOD
Kevin Clifton Instagram
Kevin Clifton Facebook
Kevin Clifton YouTube
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Part Two of Kevin's interview with Kevin Kennedy, one of the stars of the show ‘Rock of Ages’.
Kevin is most recognisable from TV as ‘Curly’ in Coronation Street but now pursues a successful career in musical theatre. He shares his journey and experiences as a successful performer and some amazing insights into the craft of the actor.
In this episode, Kevin discusses the influence of Coronation Street, the challenges of addiction, the rise of his career in music and the fascinating story of his transition into musical theatre.
KEY TAKEAWAYS
Curly Watts, who proved to be a huge hit with audiences in Coronation Street, wasn’t meant to be a character with any longevity. But after proving a hit, the producers were keen to put Kevin under contract.At the height of his success, Kevin fell into an addiction spiral, and was forced to go to rehab. Upon repairing himself, Kevin needed to start again. Kevin credits Coronation Street with taking good care of him and saving his life during this period.Using a pseudonym, Kevin submitted his music to Simon Cowell at Sony BMG, who was on the lookout for TV-led musical talent, and was signed immediately. From here, Kevin embarked on a successful career as a musician, especially in the United States.Having been let go from Coronation Street, Kevin had to make a choice about the future of his career. As he liked acting and music, he decided to marry the two and go into musical theatre. His first role was in The Rocky Horror Picture Show.Musical theatre can be daunting, but each experience is there to be relished and enjoyed. Even auditions, which Kevin enjoys.Many consider soap opera actors to be somehow inferior, but Kevin doesn’t see it that way. In fact he credits them with a set of unique talents, such as carrying a story for months or sometimes years, and the ability to learn and memorise scripts at speed.Fame was never important for Kevin. The important thing was to enjoy his work, and to develop as an actor. His subsequent fame opened many doors, which is far more valuable.When things are going wrong, there’s often a mindset that says “I have to be something different”, but the real lesson is to focus upon who you are. To do the things you want to do. Acting can be a struggle sometimes. It’s not always glamorous. But if you love what you do, then each struggle becomes a lesson, and as Kevin says, “If you’re doing something you love, then you never have to work a day in your life"No problem is insurmountable. Facing challenges down and defeating them makes you a better person, and you can’t run away forever.BEST MOMENTS
’The great thing about that was that it was a home gig’
’That was the first time I ever saw the power of Coronation Street. Her attitude completely changed’
‘Coronation Street were like a family’
’There’s always a positive to look for. Always’
‘Mistakes make you a better actor’
‘You need to get back in touch with the things that you want’
’This business is great if you’re at, or near, the top'
‘No problem is insurmountable’
ABOUT THE HOST
Kevin Clifton is a professional dancer who has been performing & competing at the highest level for over a decade. Kevin has worked on shows like 'Burn the floor' & 'Rock of Ages' to 'Strictly Come Dancing' one of the biggest TV shows in the UK which Kevin won in 2018.
CONTACT METHOD
Kevin Clifton Instagram
Kevin Clifton Facebook
Kevin Clifton YouTube
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Kevin is talking with one of the stars of the show ‘Rock of Ages’- Kevin Kennedy, they are ready to rock and roll the back to back shows and take the opportunity to catch up about all things from the explosion of the punk movement to being in the West End and on TV.
Kevin is most recognisable from TV as ‘Curly’ in Coronation Street but now pursues a successful career in musical theatre.
He shares his journey and experiences as a successful performer and some amazing insights into the craft of the actor.
KEY TAKEAWAYS
I grew up in Manchester and never wanted to be anything other than be a performer and entertain.Across the Arts, the punk movement changed everything it was about people doing what they wanted to do.It was a massive movement, it wasn’t about the quality it was the involvement, the fact you could stand up and do it.I didn’t know what I wanted to do until I went to drama school.I chose The Manchester Poly School of Theatre, it was down to earth, gritty and vocational they wanted to produce intelligent, thinking actors.You were always being pushed out of your comfort zone playing roles you would not be expected to play.I started out as a jobbing actor and got my break in a play which made it into the West End.With comedy, you must be tuned into the audience so you can get the timing right. When it works there is no better feeling in the world.You must never chase the laugh because the audience will know that’s what you are doingEvery audience is different they catch you by surpriseBeing funny is about being honest with an audience. Truth is the key.Straight acting is more intense but you are telling a story. It can be exhausting telling a story to an audience.With musicals, the scenes are shorter with bigger set dance pieces. The art is in conveying the story through the shorter scenes.BEST MOMENTS
‘I’ve been all over the world and the power of Coronation Street is truly global’
‘It was a brilliant grounding; I have enormous respect for the crew because I’ve done what they do’
‘By the age of 21 I’d been in 2 West Ends, on TV and in a rock band’
‘The more truthful it is the funnier it is’
ABOUT THE HOST
Kevin Clifton is a professional dancer who has been performing & competing at the highest level for over a decade. Kevin has worked on shows like 'Burn the floor' & 'Rock of Ages' to 'Strictly Come Dancing' one of the biggest TV shows in the UK which Kevin won in 2018.
CONTACT METHOD
Kevin Clifton Instagram
Kevin Clifton Facebook
Kevin Clifton YouTube
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‘When I started on Strictly ‘the pasty kid from Grimsby’ everyone was behind me. As I gained more success and a higher profile on the show the trolls came out’
In this insightful episode, Kevin explores why people and the media are unkind to those who achieve any success.
Why are people so unkind to others online and what makes them do it? The questions and answers are all explored in this candid podcast.
Kevin shares with searing honesty his own experiences and explores the reasons why we can all be insecure and how we can all chose to communicate with kindness.
KEY TAKEAWAYS
The underdog achieving successWhen people are being unkind, being trolls on social media or just having a go it’s not just the person you are talking about who is affected by it. The people around the person their family and friends are also affected.
In this country, we have a very difficult relationship with success
We like to champion the underdog, we want to be on their side, we want to help them and be part of their journey.
As soon as someone is successful people take up against them. Comments focus on them having forgotten where they’ve come from and getting ‘too big for their boots’
There is a link between being successful and others need to knock them down. People feel insecure when they see other people doing well. It stirs our own insecurities because we want success for ourselves.
When you are feeling insecure you can either see the successful individual as an idol, a role model, someone to aspire to or someone to knock down to your level so you don’t feel as bad about yourself.
SignificancePeople often make decisions based on achieving significance
It's not a bad thing to want to be significant but sometimes it’s a dangerous thing because it is this that can lead to the insecurity and jealousy of ego, which can lead people into trolling
People can feel significant when they have a negative opinion, one that makes them stand out.
The mediaCompetition is fierce and it’s about grabbing attention through ‘clickbait’
The newspapers don’t really care what side you’re on they just want you to be angry, indignant or interested enough to click through and follow their story.
The media drives involvement through negative emotions and the ensuing comments are rooted in anger and lead to trolling.
If you are someone who’s decided to say something unkind to someone stop and think about how necessary it is for you to say it.
Who’s talkingConsider who’s writing – is it a faceless entity or someone you respect?
When a random person writes something about you they are reflecting themselves and their insecurities onto you.
Social media platforms provide no context, you can’t gain any context about the person who is writing about you.
We are all human and we don’t like people saying nasty things about us, but these people are reflecting their own insecurities and you can respond with kindness you never know what they may be going through.
BEST MOMENTS
‘Jesy talking about it creates the opportunity for discussion and hopefully a rethink about how we conduct ourselves online and she should be seen as a real hero for what she’s done’
‘When she got better there was a mix of those who were pleased she had improved so much and those who started to turn on her as she achieved success’
‘There have been times in my life when I’ve been the person searching for significance because of my own insecurities’
‘People who know me, know my exuberance is not attention-seeking but a way of dealing with my extreme nerves’
VALUABLE RESOURCES
The Kevin Clifton Show podcast
Odd One Out Jesy Nelson documentary
ABOUT THE HOST
Kevin Clifton is a professional dancer who has been performing & competing at the highest level for over a decade. Kevin has worked on shows like 'Burn the floor' & 'Rock of Ages' to 'Strictly Come Dancing' one of the biggest TV shows in the UK which Kevin won in 2018.
CONTACT METHOD
Kevin Clifton Instagram
Kevin Clifton Facebook
Kevin Clifton YouTube
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‘Such a joy to be starting the year with strictly’
Kevin’s guest is someone he is very familiar with - Stacey Dooley who he lifted the Strictly Come Dancing Glitterball Trophy with, in 2018.
Kevin is in rehearsals for ‘The Wedding Singer’ and Stacey is packing as this year she is hosting the Strictly Come Dancing live tour and in this episode, they chat about the live tour and the great professional and celebrity partnerships that are taking part.
Both Kevin and Stacey reflect on how it’s only when you are on tour with the live Strictly Show tour that you really understand how this long-running series is so much a part of the nation’s culture and how loved it is across the generations who watch it.
As a much-loved partnership and past winners of the glitterball this is a great opportunity to hear about what goes on behind the scenes and the dances that Kevin and Stacey have particularly enjoyed from the last series, listen in and enjoy.
KEY TAKEAWAYS
Each performance is set up like an episode of strictly with couples all performing and every night on tour someone wins the glitter ball with the audience voting via text.At the end of the tour the couple who have won the most performances are crowned champions of the tour and receive the prestigious tour glitterball.
Kelvin Fletcher & Janette Manrara – we were both fans of Kelvin from early on. It was clear from his first performance that he could go all the way.Emma Barton & Graziano Di Parma. - really pleased Grazts is getting the chance to dance with Emma, as he didn’t have a celebrity partner in the series. He’s such a sweetheart but people assume he’s a bit arrogant which is so far from the truth, he’s very kind, considerate and a wicked dancer.Catherine Tyldesley & Johannes Radebe. Watching Johannes perform was a breath of fresh air. When Johannes danced with Grazts he spoke about performing as his true self on a show that’s been established for a long time and how important it was for him.Mike Bushell & Katya Jones - He never stops practising because he wants to do his best. When someone isn’t a natural dancer and dances are a bit funny, people mistake it as the person not taking it seriously but that is so far from the truth.Karim Zeroual & Amy Dowden. - One of the sweetest girls you could meet. She is unassuming and works really hard. Karim is a brilliant dancer and it means as the professional you have to deliver, there is a great amount of pressure.Saffron Barker & AJ Pritchard - Saffron was much more comfortable with ballroom.Their waltz was beautiful and very calm.
Alex Scott & Neil Jones – Neil’s one of my best mates on the show.They look brilliant together and when you watch Alex perform you really know how she is feeling. Suddenly she had to dance with someone different and she didn’t let it faze her at all.
BEST MOMENTS
‘The British public love an underdog so the tour can be completely different from the TV series as to who the public vote for’
‘As a contestant, you are heavily reliant on your professional’
‘She never moaned or complained about it, she just wanted to make the most of the opportunity she had’
VALUABLE RESOURCES
The Kevin Clifton Show podcast
ABOUT THE HOST
Kevin Clifton is a professional dancer who has been performing & competing at the highest level for over a decade. Kevin has worked on shows like 'Burn the floor' & 'Rock of Ages' to 'Strictly Come Dancing' one of the biggest TV shows in the UK which Kevin won in 2018.
CONTACT METHOD
Kevin Clifton Instagram
Kevin Clifton Facebook
Kevin Clifton YouTube
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Fresh from his success in the Children In Need Strictly Come Dancing 2019 Special (which Kevin and his partner, Maisie Smith won!), Kevin takes time out of his busy schedule to chat about his creative process. How exactly does he turn an idea into a dance performance? That’s the question that he is asked the most often.
In this special episode, Kevin takes you through his method of turning a dream into reality; everything from musical choices and production design to choreography, and the importance of making his partners happy.
KEY TAKEAWAYS
Kevin has won almost all of the famed Strictly Glitterballs now. The only one left for him to win is the Christmas Glitterball, which he hopes to lift this year with Debbie McGee as his partner.Kevin keeps constant notes when he hears a song that he4 thinks would be good for Strictly, or if he comes up with an interesting concept for a dance style.Dance styles and songs need to suit the partner that Kevin finds himself with. This can be a thorough process of really getting to know the person as much as possible. His partner needs to enjoy themselves, and getting to know them properly is essential.All ideas need to be channelled through the “Dance Team”, which comprise set designers, production designers and musicians. This department is expansive and constantly working to reinvent the show each week.Performances are always a two-way conversation between the dance duo and the production team. Ideas are never forced on anyone. Even the ending of the song itself makes a huge difference. The song always needs a “button”, a climactic note that sends an audio signal to the audience that the song is over, and which also communicates a sense of closing energy. What should be avoided is a fade-out.The moment a show’s taping is over on a Saturday night, Kevin must begin work on next week’s show, and also the following week’s. Choreography is something Kevin concentrates on intensely. Many dancers work differently, but Kevin pores over the music, searching for interesting elements that can help shape his dances.By Tuesday, Kevin and his partner will be working on the core principles of the dance for the weekend. This involves explaining the way that they will connect and the way they will move.Kevin also has to be part of the conversation when it comes to technical decisions, such as camera movements and props. These are all part of the dance’s script.Costumes and the live performance by the Strictly band are the final elements decided on, before a full rehearsal of the show itself on Saturday afternoon, mere hours before the show airs live on the BBC.BEST MOMENTS
’That would make a great jive, or that would make a great foxtrot’
‘You’re usually about two weeks ahead’
‘You’ll be selling ice-creams…'
’That bang on the end is what I call the button’
‘I start to think of the general dynamics of the music’
‘What is the imagery of this number?’
’That’s the reason that I like to get the routine into their muscle memory’
‘By that time we’ve run the routine so many times that hopefully it doesn’t feel new'
‘Check your earrings. Check your flies!'
ABOUT THE HOST
Kevin Clifton is a professional dancer who has been performing & competing at the highest level for over a decade. Kevin has worked on shows like 'Burn the floor' & 'Rock of Ages' to 'Strictly Come Dancing' one of the biggest TV shows in the UK which Kevin won in 2018.
CONTACT METHOD
Kevin Clifton Instagram
Kevin Clifton Facebook
Kevin Clifton YouTube
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Strictly Come Dancing is consuming all of Kevin’s free time at the moment, but he snatched some time to talk about the things you’ve been asking for, including the subject of this week’s show!
It can be hard to adapt to new challenges when they arise, and certainly in Kevin’s life, they seem to arise non-stop! While spending some time last year on a theatrical puppetry course, Kevin learned some lessons about awareness and adapting that have stuck with him, and which he wants to share with you all this week.
KEY TAKEAWAYS
At the beginning of 2018, Kevin found himself with a small period of time, and decided to use it for self-development. He studied gymnastics, acting and theatrical puppetry.
While creating a theatrical puppet of a man, asked to perform a simple routine, Kevin realised that he and his fellow puppeteers needed to be completely attuned to each other; ready to adapt to any movements accordingly.
When Jay McGuinness performed his Pulp Fiction jive a couple of years ago, Kevin and his then partner, Kellie, along with every other contestant, felt that Jay’s eventual victory was a foregone conclusion. This feeling allowed him to, oddly, feel more relaxed about competing in the final.
The year in which Kevin won, he was relaxed going into the final, because he had given up on the need to win. He had let go of the expectation in his head about what was to be, and was focussed instead on the moment itself.
As performers, we should always focus on the work itself, instead of the result we expect. Visualise the way we wish the performance to go, not on who we can impress, or what we can expect from others as a result.
BEST MOMENTS
’There’s quite a few of us in the team operating different parts’
‘It’s about letting go of what I expect the end result to be in my own head, and adapting to what’s going on’
‘If there’s a chance it’s a 1% chance’
‘It’s not about not wanting to win. It’s about letting go of the need to win’
‘I was devastated but I shouldn’t have been’
‘I got caught up in the end result’
‘Focus on the content itself, not the followers’
ABOUT THE HOST
Kevin Clifton is a professional dancer who has been performing & competing at the highest level for over a decade. Kevin has worked on shows like 'Burn the floor' & 'Rock of Ages' to 'Strictly Come Dancing' one of the biggest TV shows in the UK which Kevin won in 2018.
CONTACT METHOD
Kevin Clifton Instagram
Kevin Clifton Facebook
Kevin Clifton YouTube
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One of the most popular interview requests from listeners and Kevin’s followers on social media, has been this week’s very special guests: Keith and Judy Clifton!
As well as having raised Kevin and his sister Joanne to become two of the nation’s most recognised and well-loved dancers, Keith and Judy are legends in their own right, having conquered the world of Latin American dance as champions, and having founded a highly influential and well-respected dance school, The Clifton Dance Academy.
It’s a family affair this week then, as Keith and Judy talk about their own careers in the world of dance, their own love story (and maybe even spill the beans slightly on Kevin’s upbringing…) in this second part of a fascinating insight into the multi-talented Clifton family!
KEY TAKEAWAYS
Keith and Judy credit Strictly Come Dancing with re-introducing the entertainment element into the world of competitive dance. For a while, many saw dance as a closed group, and somewhat highbrow, instead of the fun, inclusive activity that it began life as.Parents who truly know their children, and who are mentoring them in any way, instinctively know when to push harder and when to pull back.Throughout Kevin’s youth, he was struck by a deep sense of guilt over letting people down when it came to his dancing. This led to several episodes of doubt and anxiety, which he has had to struggle against ever since.Half the battle, when teaching a child any kind of skill, is to prepare them mentally; to teach them to be mentally strong as well as physically.Having two children as competitors in Strictly Come Dancing has thrown up some interesting paradoxes; most notably when Joanne and Kevin were facing off in the final. Their reaction to Joanne’s victory was fascinating in that they both instantly commiserated with Kevin’s loss.One of the major downsides of having such a high-profile son and daughter, is that Keith and Judy have to watch the media’s sometimes unfair stories about their children. For Judy’s part, this is particularly difficult, and has been greatly upsetting at times.BEST MOMENTS
‘Have I got the ability to make these people laugh? Have I got the ability to put this audience in the palm of my hand?’
‘It wasn’t validated. You’d won the competition, but you couldn’t put your finger on why’
‘It became slightly odd that you were dancing a sexy rumba with your sister!’
‘You have to be totally mentally strong in a competition'
‘I don’t know how I didn’t have a nervous breakdown - thank you!'
ABOUT THE HOST
Kevin Clifton is a professional dancer who has been performing & competing at the highest level for over a decade. Kevin has worked on shows like 'Burn the floor' & 'Rock of Ages' to 'Strictly Come Dancing' one of the biggest TV shows in the UK which Kevin won in 2018.
CONTACT METHOD
Kevin Clifton Instagram
Kevin Clifton Facebook
Kevin Clifton YouTube
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One of the most popular interview requests from listeners and Kevin’s followers on social media, has been this week’s very special guests: Keith and Judy Clifton!
As well as having raised Kevin and his sister Joanne to become two of the nation’s most recognised and well-loved dancers, Keith and Judy are legends in their own right, having conquered the world of Latin American dance as champions, and having founded a highly influential and well-respected dance school, The Clifton Dance Academy.
It’s a family affair this week then, as Keith and Judy talk about their own careers in the world of dance, their own love story (and maybe even spill the beans slightly on Kevin’s upbringing…) in this first part of a conversation between the dazzling Clifton family!
KEY TAKEAWAYS
• Keith and Judy were the World Number One Latin American dancers, as well as UK and international champions. Since then, they have become famous in Grimsby as the founders and instructors at Clifton Dance Academy.
• It’s a strange paradox that in front of an audience, Kevin finds it easier to become an extrovert, but in a smaller group of people, introversion suddenly takes over. This is a quality that Kevin shares with his mother, Judy.
• There is a safety in performing on stage. Even those who find personal interactions difficult, find that they are suddenly able to express themselves. There seems to be a mental barrier that is impregnable between the stage and the audience.
• Dance gave Keith huge amounts of confidence. Whereas his fellow teens and friends were still shy and finding out about themselves and their personalities, Keith had levels of confidence that were allowing him to express himself more openly.
• Nowadays Joanne is far more competitive than Kevin, whereas in days gone by, it would have been Kevin who was more into the competition side of dancing.
• Keith, similarly, has found the competitive side of his life is less interesting to him these days. It’s far more important to enjoy each moment than ensure that he is somehow doing better than someone else.
• Ballroom dancing is a strange form of competition. As an art form, Kevin finds it difficult to understand how one performance can be judged against another.
BEST MOMENTS
‘You showed me Agadoo!’
’So I could potentially be a cross between Geronimo and Jack The Ripper?’
‘I wore some velvet bell-bottom trousers’
‘It must be love!’
‘You’re too tall - no you’re too short’
‘Dancing is an art, not a sport’
ABOUT THE HOST
Kevin Clifton is a professional dancer who has been performing & competing at the highest level for over a decade. Kevin has worked on shows like 'Burn the floor' & 'Rock of Ages' to 'Strictly Come Dancing' one of the biggest TV shows in the UK which Kevin won in 2018.
CONTACT METHOD
Kevin Clifton Instagram
Kevin Clifton Facebook
Kevin Clifton YouTube
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This week, Kevin talks to Olivier Award-nominated performer, choreographer (and Kevin’s flatmate!) Tommy Franzen, who over the last few years has carved something of a legend for himself in the world of dance.
In this fascinating conversation, Kevin talks to Tommy about the people who have inspired him the most, the origins of the dance styles that have formed his own style, his views on competitive dance, his journey into property investment, and the qualities that make him one of the country’s greatest performers.
KEY TAKEAWAYS
Tommy’s dance career started at a very young age, when he was inspired by his sister, and visiting celebrity dancers in Sweden, to begin dance lessons. After some initial setbacks, and confidence issues, Tommy never looked back.“Locking" was born from social dances of the sixties, and involves locking your body tight, and is named after its inventor, dancer Don “Campbellock” Campbell. Its proponents since then have included Richard Pryor and Dick Van Dyke.“Popping” evolved when music changed in the 70s and 80s, when locking no longer fit with the contemporary music styles. It emerged as a major dance style on the West Coast.Hip hop style dancing is less regimented, and ever-evolving. People seem to be drawn to the dancing itself, instead of the formalised competitions that surround styles such as ballroom and latin. This means that it can naturally evolve without breaking the so-called “rules” set down by dance organisations.There seems to be a small pool of judges and coaches in the dance-competition world. Often this can be used to a dancer’s advantage, as they can find themselves performing for people they have been trained by, and can plan accordingly.Tommy is not attracted to the concept of using dance to compete against someone else. It affects him emotionally, and affects his performance, and so he avoids it. Many are drawn to performing by the lure of celebrity, by the fact that they can spend their lives earning money from doing something they love. For Tommy, the attraction of dance is the sense of joy he experiences while performing. Companies like Zoo Nation, Boy Blue and Avant Garde, have pushed dance companies from obscurity, into the mainstream. As a result, dancers can now find real employment opportunities.Hip-hop dance theatre is rising in popularity. Spearheaded by a creative generation, stories are being told by hip hop dancing, with as much narrative involvement and dramatic tension as standard theatrical productions.There were concerns when Tommy was offered a role on the BBC’s So You Think You Can Dance, as he was worried in case he was portrayed in a way that he was not comfortable with. He ended up reaching the final, and partnering several times with eventual winner, Charlie Bruce.Choreography is a tiring process, for both Kevin and Tommy. It involves a lot of thinking, mental space, and consideration. Listening to the music over and over again helps the dance to take shape in the mind.The uncertainty of regular employment as a dancer is what made Tommy investigate the world of property investment, seeing an opportunity to give himself a Plan B. It was Tommy who introduced Kevin to this way of investing, which he subsequently did.BEST MOMENTS
‘I felt so exposed’
‘With ballroom and latin, the “endgame” is usually competition dancing’
‘What I love about your style of dancing is that it’s not geared towards that’
’It was my birthday party, and I was the only one not dancing’
’The shows you do are like a story. They’re like a musical’
‘Dance-ical? Is that a word?’
‘I’m so glad that we’ve been given songs and concepts that have really excited us’
‘If you judge what you do too much, that’s when you end up in the trap’
‘A blank sheet of paper is really scary'
VALUABLE LINKS
www.sadlerswells.com
Tommy Franzen Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/tommythefranzen/?hl=en
Tommy Franzen’s Website - http://www.tommyfranzen.com/Tommy_Franzen_Official/Tommy_Franzen.html
Tommy Franzen Twitter - https://twitter.com/tommyfranzen?lang=en
Rob Moore - https://robmoore.com
Rich Dad Poor Dad (Amazon) - https://www.amazon.co.uk/Rich-Dad-Poor-Teach-Middle/dp/1612680194/
ABOUT THE HOST
Kevin Clifton is a professional dancer who has been performing & competing at the highest level for over a decade. Kevin has worked on shows like 'Burn the floor' & 'Rock of Ages' to 'Strictly Come Dancing' one of the biggest TV shows in the UK which Kevin won in 2018.
CONTACT METHOD
Kevin Clifton Instagram
Kevin Clifton Facebook
Kevin Clifton YouTube
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Kevin is no stranger to setbacks. In fact, in the past week, he and his Strictly Come Dancing partner, Anneka Rice, left the competition. But as Kevin explains, there’s a way of looking at every setback in life, and it involves using one of two mindsets: fixed or growth.
There’s a place for each of these, but which is the right one to choose and at which time?
In this special, candid episode, Kevin discusses his feelings about being eliminated, as well as other challenging times in his life, and the outlook he takes on these moments.
KEY TAKEAWAYS
There are two types of reaction when it comes to dealing with a setback. Some like to blame, so as to pass off the guilt. Others choose instead to learn and grow from the experience.Fixed mindset people do not like to be challenged on their view of the world. They feel as though life is predetermined. When they fail, they tend to give up. They take criticism as a personal attack.Fixed mindset people tend not to ask for help, even if they desperately need it, because they do not wish to show weakness or vulnerability.Those with a growth mindset see failure as an opportunity to grow. Whenever they fail, whenever they differ a setback, they always ask where the opportunity for growth lies.Kevin credits his mentor, Rob Moore, with helping him to achieve a healthy, growth mindset, a tool that Kevin has always used to become better in his career and life.Those with a growth mindset believe that they can achieve anything. They know that every decision in life is a learning experience. They also seek opportunities that may be outside their normal comfort zone. They see life as an ever-evolving journey.Kevin has never seen himself as the best dancer in the world. Some may choose to look upon other, more talented contemporaries as competition. But Kevin has always insisted that working and being around those with more talent has helped him to become better; have made him push himself harder, and have inspired him to greater success.Mistakes are not negatives. They’re positives from which you can draw huge and valuable lessons. Take responsibility for them. Assess. Learn. Grow.BEST MOMENTS
‘I was real proud of her and what we achieved’
‘What if you learned from it? What if you got better because of it?’
’Failure is an opportunity to grow’
‘Mistakes and setbacks help you to grow’
‘I have an opportunity here to learn from the best’
’The fastest way to get to what you want is to learn from your mistakes'
ABOUT THE HOST
Kevin Clifton is a professional dancer who has been performing & competing at the highest level for over a decade. Kevin has worked on shows like 'Burn the floor' & 'Rock of Ages' to 'Strictly Come Dancing' one of the biggest TV shows in the UK which Kevin won in 2018.
CONTACT METHOD
Kevin Clifton Instagram
Kevin Clifton Facebook
Kevin Clifton YouTube
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Kevin is speaking with Jake Wood previous competitor on Strictly and known on TV to everyone as Max Branning in East Enders.
His acting career began at 10 and spans 37 years, in this podcast he shares stories and the reality of taking part in Strictly and being in a high profile long-running soap series.
Life is all about trial and error and Jake shares the great highs and the lows that he has experienced in a career that spans decades. This is a highly entertaining episode, listen in now and enjoy.
KEY TAKEAWAYS
The best actors take something from all the different techniques, it all takes time. As an actor, you are always trying to do your best.The only way to learn it is to do it but this is the same for professional dancers.Being on Strictly
The celebrities on Strictly are only doing an impression of the dance.There are skill sets that are similar between what dancers and actors do. There are transferable skills such as self-discipline, work ethic and being able to perform on a stage in front of an audienceBeing an actor meant I was confident about doing a performance.Having previously completed work at the National theatre I had a skill set that helped me on Strictly being in front of a live audience.When I sat in the recording studio I realised this was going to be no fun, it was going to be high pressured scary stuff and I’d better be prepared.Before I came out and danced for the first time I didn’t know what I was going to be in the series – the clown , the serious contender.If I didn’t have the skills that I had as an actor it would have been much more difficult.My approach was to do my best, regroup and then get ready for the next battle.Being an actor
I was involved in acting from a young age and enjoyed improvisation classes very early on.I started at 10 and have been acting for 37 years, It’s about understanding emotions and learning about people.You need to understand a character to be able to be authentic and the best actors draw from themselves. You have to want to understand people and what drives their behaviour.Acting is a bubble and the important part is what you do when you come out at the other end.I love what I do but you have to get a balance because it can be a crazy life. It plays into all your insecurities and everyone makes mistakes.The most important is the dedication to be an actor, the process and loving it.BEST MOMENTS
‘He’s announcing me dancing the Samba and I’m thinking is it the left foot or the right foot?’
‘I’m playing a rock star which is very far removed from me as a person’
‘I’ll give you 100% and do whatever you tell me but I haven’t got a fucking clue’
‘It’s a funny show because you are not really on a level playing field’
ABOUT THE HOST
Kevin Clifton is a professional dancer who has been
performing & competing at the highest level for over a decade. Kevin has
worked on shows like 'Burn the floor' & 'Rock of Ages' to 'Strictly Come
Dancing' one of the biggest TV shows in the UK which Kevin won in 2018.
CONTACT METHOD
Kevin Clifton Instagram
Kevin Clifton Facebook
Kevin Clifton YouTube
-
Kevin is best known as a professional dancer on Strictly Come Dancing and in this first episode of the Kevin Clifton Show, he sits down with his mentor, Rob Moore and they talk all things from performing, dancing and Strictly to understanding yourself and why being in the spotlight has more than one side.
This very personal podcast is an insight into the man who is the current glitterball champion and the journey he is on. He is someone who wants to entertain and has achieved this through Strictly but if you want to get to know the real Kevin Clifton then this podcast is a must.
KEY TAKEAWAYS
My vision for the podcast is to bring people from all areas of performing life to talk about what it is really like.When you have the chance to listen to successful people and hear about their journeys and vulnerabilities then you are able to identify more closely with them and imagine it is possible for you to do it as well.As a performer, your worth in your career is entirely based on the opinion of the judges or an audience.I have always worried about other’s opinions, have constant imposter syndrome and suffer from anxiety across all areas of my life.Instead of thinking I love entertaining and I'm going out to entertain my thought process is focused on feeling I am not good enough, It’s the paradox of being successful.If there is no void there is no drive.My demeanour is co-dependant on how an audience reacts, in relationships, it’s based on what my partner thinks.You can’t help but notice how the crowd are performing and I can be very reliant on the energy of the audienceWinning Strictly was an amazing moment that I’ll never forget but there was that thought about this success being a result of the people voting and so you are dependent on the approval of others.I've always had this need to prove myself and it has resulted in me having an incredible drive for work and to achieve.I went through a stage of total self-hatred and I didn’t know how to deal with itI didn’t know how to function as a person, and I don’t know how to label it. I was constantly a ball of stress and emotion.I had been convinced I needed to change but it was about not becoming something different but getting back to who you are.As a kid, you live to your best values but as you grow up you put labels on yourself and then fight for the labels because they have become your identity.It’s vital to get rid of all the stuff and get back to what makes you feel happy and your values.Getting back in touch with who I am as a person and concentrating on what I really want to do in life and being clear about my values has moved my life from darkness and self-hatred to a much better place.You must be true to yourself and not be ruled by the expectation of others.You must be the person you are not the person you think others want you to be.BEST MOMENTS
‘I’ve just never been that confident and worry about whether people like me all the time’
‘I was constantly this ball of stress and emotion, constantly sad and emotional’
My mum and dad invested in me and my sister they did anything to help us along in our careers
‘I am starting to understand it doesn’t matter and most people don’t care’
ABOUT THE HOST
Kevin Clifton is a professional dancer who has been performing & competing at the highest level for over a decade. Kevin has worked on shows like 'Burn the floor' & 'Rock of Ages' to 'Strictly Come Dancing' one of the biggest TV shows in the UK which Kevin won in 2018.
CONTACT METHOD
Kevin Clifton Instagram
Kevin Clifton Facebook
Kevin Clifton YouTube
