"Thank God we're not rhythm saw him go from recreatln9 GaGa's meat novelty act to potential dreis," Russell Grant winner in a few short declares, munching on a weeks, and it seems no bacon sandwich. "I'll eat it, one's more surprised but not wear it. Idon't do than the man himself. meat, darling, only glam." "I gave myself until He's not lying. Since the Hallowe'en," he says. 60 year old shimmied his "I thought I'd like to do the way onto Come samba that week - as it's Dancing stage six weeks my favourite dance - and ago, 10million people have then bugger off. Inever watched the "astrologer thought I'd still be here to the stars" camp up the and people like you would campest show on telly. be asking me to do shoots He's emerged as Venus like this. It's fantastic." from a shell, ridden So, does the showbiz a mechanical bull wearing veteran reckon he's in comedy specs and is with a chance of winning, apparently planning or is he only bothered a harness-related about the glitz and stunt for the upcoming glamour? Wethrew on the programme. nearest feather boa and But, as Bruce Forsyth went to find ouL himself said, "People come on Strictly and camp So, what do you think it up, but they only do of our shoot? that because they can't Ilove it. Once I heard the dance. [Russell] does that, idea for the shoot, heat's but he can dance." become my absolute Russell's bouncy must-read. It's fabulous. enthusiasm and natural GaGaisamazing.The ..... ~ .. -.~ ...._ _-'II ~-. . ~ .. 7 4 WWW.HEATWORLD.CO~ 26 November - 2 December 2011 I

Craig [Revel Horwood] Iwas first famous in the has been quite harsh '80s as the astrologer when Judging you. Do you on BBC Breakfast Time, only trouble is, sometimes think he fancies you and there wasn't Twitter I think she tries too hard. doesn't know how to deal or Facebook - or even She's got to keep outdoing, with the sexual tension? e-mail. This time it's herself, so goes a bit, well, [Laughs.) I don't think sol mega. I've gone from gaga. I'll do Glam GaGa,but I'm too old for him. Ithink 500 Twitter followers that's it. I'm going to wear you need to ask Harry that to 24,000 since the this to the studio tonight. question. About Craig and show began. Do you love the outfits Bruno [TonioIiJ.ln fact. Do you enjoy tweeting? on Strictly? I think the only person we Yes. There's a lot of love on, yes. I love feathers, can say with any certainty out there. It's interesting, glitz and glamour. It's doesn't fancy Harry though, because you become my trademark. is Len [Goodman]. always get the odd wanker I haven't said no to Have you been surprised or Twatter - isn't that .-:; anything the stylists have by the public's response what they're called? suggested. Although if to you? I've only had three nasty they tried to get me in It's been unbelievable. comments, all saying stuff something Harry [Judd Flavia [Cacace, Russell's like, "Why does the BBC from McFly, fellow Strictly dancing partner] and have a crap old person on contestant] wears, I'd I went shopping together Strictly?" Ijust delete it refuse. All you'd see is a the other day. We turned and block them. Actually, pair of ruddy great fat tits around and there were it was really funny - one and a stomach to match. about 50 kids following of the Twatters got their I mean, who wants to see us. Ifelt like the Pied Piper. mate to message me that? Unless you're a I'm so humbled by it. When saying, "My friend is really chubby chaser, of course. sorry he said that and Speaking of Which, wants to follow you now. Is there anyone on Will you unblock him?" the show you fancy? How hilarious! Idid Harry is a gorgeous man, unblock him. Why not? but I don't fancy him at all. I Who gives a toss? Wait, I don't fancy any of them. are you following me? No one on the show is my Of course we are .•. type. Harry's lovely, but I'll have to follow you back I am 60 after all. so we can have a good goss. Twitter's how I found out Kylie was a fan. Kylie tweeted, "Can anyone tell me how@THErusseligrant got on with the samba with my song Better The Devil YouKnow?" I checked to see if it was really her, saw the little blue tick which means it's a certified account and that she had 850,000 J!~ followers, and I was so excited. I wrote back, "Kylie, darling, how wonderful to hear from you," and she replied with "Shimmy!" Iwas thrilled. I know Miranda Hart's also a big fan. We're meant to be dancing together 'K..o"9'p~<- or at Christmas. rJ r::J . That will be amaz/nq ~ j"'"'"' rc1-- telly. Do you think people might have thought you were this year's novelty act at first? Yes, I do. I know a lot ...

76. WWW.H£A'I\'/ORLD.CO!,>1 26 November - 2 December 2011 Has he asked you to two near heart attacks, read his stars for him? was diagnosed with Everyone has. Nancy diabetes, had a walking of people were saying [Dell'Olio] is the queen stick, had a blue disabled that I'd be this year's Ann of" I want my stars done"_ pass and prostate Widdecombe or John and is flying me out to problems. I only lost the Sergeant when the line-up Rome to do it once the weight because I started was announced. All of the show's finished. Hey, thinking positively. One other contestants are a lot there's a thought - can day Iwoke up and thought, younger and fitter than you dress me up as Nancy "I want to get my life me, and Idon't think so I can turn up at the back," and realised Iwas anyone thought I could airport as her? Imagine. missing everything that dance - but I knew I had Old the stars tell you had happened to me since rhythm. My being on the to do Strictly? the Queen Mother came show is the best thing They actually told me for an astrology reading that's ever happened to not to do it! The chart back in 1978. my mother. She was upset said my health would be Have you been watching by the comments at first, a problem. I decided to do The X Factor at all? but I said to her, "Just wait it anyway, but then I did I haven't ever watched it, until I'm on - don't worry." my knee in. Now,l have which is bad, really, as my The thing is, Idon't take it to wear a £1,000 support good friend Gary [Barlow] as seriously as everyone is judging this year. Ifeel else. I'm on there to like it's too much about entertain. Where Harry the singing and they and Jason think, "I have don't teach people about to do it exactly like that," "Robbie performance. Take Susan I'll go, "That's nice, • Boyle on Britain's Got I'll have a go and if ISm.y Talent, for example - she I forget the steps S stands there like a sack I'll do a few twirls." ogate of spuds. Don't get Do you want to win? son" me wrong, she has an Gosh, I'm not bothered! amazing voice, but why Ijust want to dress haven't they taught her up and have fun. I'm to be comfortable on obsessed with the glitz which Olvrnpic skiers stage? When she came and gorgeousness of it use, and I have to have on It Takes Two,she walked all. The only reason Iwant an operation in January. with the same arm and to stay in it now is to see It won't stop me, though. leg. You should see the what the next frock's The only way I'm leaving is outtakes. I'd love to say, going to be. How divine! if the public votes me out. "Susan, come and spend Who do you want to win? Have you noticed an a couple of hours with me. Icouldn't possibly say. increase in your fitness I'll teach you to perform. I love them all. I'm not even since doing the show? You can bring your cat." going to say my godson. It's been incredible. Flavia So, what's next for you? Urn, your godson? was saying that in my first I've had so many Yes. Robbie's [Savage] week I'd have to sit down wonderful offers. Harry mum has asked if I'll be after every ten minutes. Hill asked me to dress up Robbie's godfather. What Now Ican do a full day's as Dame Maggie Smith an honour. Le Savage - as training. But, however from Downton Abbey I like to call him - and I met you look at it, I'm still and dance with him, and just clicked. Weget 60 and 15st 7lb.I've lost but Ididn't have time. on like a house on fire. ten stone in the past I've turned down I'm What do you talk about? two years, though. A Celebrity ... every year, I have a programme on Was that through because it's impossible to BBC radio about non- appearing on Celebrity be glamorous in ajungle league sport and he's Fit Club? - and I was asked to go on involved in Wrexham You must be joking! Christ BOut 0110 Cats. I don't football club. Also, I've almighty. Istarted off even know what that is, lived in Wales since 1969, at 22st on that show and but it's so lovely to be so we have the Welsh went down to 18st 91b,but invited. I'm having the connection, and we're it was all a quick fix. After time of my life. both ambassadors for the the show finished, I went Alzheimer's Society - but rocketing up to 26st! Catch Russell Grant on we talk about all sorts. I had all kinds of problems , He's my surrogate son. because Iwas so fat. I had BBCt, Saturday 0. Sunday

78" WWW.FmATWORLO.COM 26 November - 2 December 2011