the Strictly "bounce"- who's careers have done the best out of appearing on Strictly
boddism
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Who (contestants only- not pro's or presenters) have done the best out of an appearance on SCD?
It's often said that appearing on reality shows doesn't do celebs careers any good but I can think of a few for whom this is blatantly untrue.
The most obvious example of Alesha Dixon. Prior to the show she was a washed up pop star, almost forgotten, only getting attention for lurid tabloid headlines. After the show she was the UK's darling, she was able to (briefly)revive her music career (incl a Brits nomination) & got lucrative advertising jobs as well as roles as judge on SCD & BGT.
Her runner up Matt di Angelo also deserves a mention. Prior to SCD he completed an indistinguishable & possibly forgettable stint on Eastenders. The usual fate of the young pretty boy soap star seemed a real possilility, but SCD really bought him to the publics attention & made him more popular than he'd been on EE.
Shortly after SCD ended he landed the role of Sean on Hustle & this cemented his career. Whether hed have gotten this role without the SCD effect is subject to debate. But the SCD led higher profile probably helped.
In more recent times Susanna Reid's profile shot up after her appearance on the show.
Who else has really benefited??
It's often said that appearing on reality shows doesn't do celebs careers any good but I can think of a few for whom this is blatantly untrue.
The most obvious example of Alesha Dixon. Prior to the show she was a washed up pop star, almost forgotten, only getting attention for lurid tabloid headlines. After the show she was the UK's darling, she was able to (briefly)revive her music career (incl a Brits nomination) & got lucrative advertising jobs as well as roles as judge on SCD & BGT.
Her runner up Matt di Angelo also deserves a mention. Prior to SCD he completed an indistinguishable & possibly forgettable stint on Eastenders. The usual fate of the young pretty boy soap star seemed a real possilility, but SCD really bought him to the publics attention & made him more popular than he'd been on EE.
Shortly after SCD ended he landed the role of Sean on Hustle & this cemented his career. Whether hed have gotten this role without the SCD effect is subject to debate. But the SCD led higher profile probably helped.
In more recent times Susanna Reid's profile shot up after her appearance on the show.
Who else has really benefited??
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She was off telly and off radio 1 when she took part and now has the Strictly gig on telly most nights during the run.
I suppose not the biggest gig but a big bounceback nonetheless.
Also, Ann Widdecombe went from political pariah to nation's sweetheart via an unforgettable samba.
Less sure about Susanna - Good Morning Britain is well and truly in the toilet right now.
Ironically, Matt is now back in Eastenders
Think that most of the finalists from last year had a surge in their careers due to doing Strictly.
However, that is probably only a minor surge (just like poor Matt). Don't see the likes of Chelsee, Kara or Lisa (R.) starring in any major drama series soon.
In terms of reality tv shows, Myleene Klass is probably one of the best examples. Going from a washed up and literally beaten down popstar to a(n) (international) presenter, model and having a merchandise line (books, clothes etc.) is not too shabby.
Russell Grant came back out of the shadows and on a different note it didn't do Ann Widdicombe any harm either.
I must have missed that memo.
Nope, I'm sure Widdecombe is still the vile hateful right wing scumbag she always was?
If I look at people like Frankie and Pixie this year, I could see them doing a cross over into theatre if their singing careers take a break or come to an end and they can maybe venture into that side of showbiz and be in some singing plus dancing productions. Strictly seems generally very good for singers and actors to do, as what they do already can lend itself to dance, or vice versa, in terms of doing performance typed jobs in tv/theatre.
Few have done badly out of being on the show & much depends on a previous career.
Kara's going to be in that Mr Selfridge programme when it comes back for its next series.
It raised her profile doubtless, but not necessarily in a good way.
I personally had a fair bit of respect for her as a TV journalist, but she got right on my wick on Strictly.
The move to ITV might have got her out of the commute to Manchester ( and maybe a higher paycheque) butDaybreak has been a big flop and it's dragged SR down with it
Denise Lewis, Colin Jackson, Gabby Logan are the main anchors for BBC Athletics coverage - all early Strictly contestants. Denise and Colin proved to be very popular as well as experts in their field so double win for the BBC.
Gethin Jones seemed to be everywhere after his series although I haven't seen much of him lately.
Mark Benton will be hosting a new daytime BBC quiz show soon (think they're currently filming it).
If you're popular on Strictly, it can lead to all sorts of possibilities with the BBC, which is why I can't understand why Christine Bleakley, Susanna Reid and now James Jordan would want to burn their bridges.
Biggest winner, as somebody has already pointed out, is Russell Grant. He went from laying in bed all day, feeding his face and feeling depressed to appearing regularly on our screens and in our newspapers - mainly because he is remembered as laying on a tray while exiting the barrel of a polystyrene cannon.
No. There is a whole bunch of much more vile hateful right wing scumbags around now that make her look like a liberal.
She has not burnt any bridges. She will be back like Adrian Chiles.
And, of course, Matt thingy who was in A Question of Sport.
And some SCD contestants that make her look like a dancer? Well maybe not.
With actors I find it hard to say because there are actors who have come out of soaps without doing something like Strictly, like Jill or Kara or Matt De Angelo, who get equally good parts. Maybe it gets them in a position where they can headline a theatre production and expect to get an audience, but I'm not sure they've done more on TV than they would have anyway. I think it can be better for actors if people have no strong image of what they're like 'as themselves' so it's a 50/50 benefit.
Mark Benton having a show is great news.